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U.S. Visa Issues Force Ricky Story vs. Erick Silva to Canada

U.S. Visa Issues Force Ricky Story vs. Erick Silva to Canada

Ongoing problems with the U.S. visa system forced major changes to Saturday's UFC Fight Night 70 card in Hollywood, Fla., including removing the originally scheduled co-main event bout between Rick Story and Erick Silva from the event.

UFC officials on Wednesday, however, announced that the Story vs. Silva bout would remain intact and take place at the UFC Fight Night 74 event on Aug. 23 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.

RELATED > Visa Issues Force Big Changes to UFC Fight Night 70

Story (18-8) enters the bout coming off of back-to-back victories for the first time in several years. Wins over Leandro Mafra and Gunnar Nelson have Story eyeing a run up the welterweight division ladder.

Like Story, Silva (18-5, 1 NC) has won consecutive bouts for the first time since 2011. His recent wins include Mike Rhodes and Josh Koscheck.

In addition to the already announced featherweight main event pitting Max Holloway vs. Charles Oliveira and the Story vs. Silva bout, UFC officials on Wednesday added several other bouts that include Patrick Cote (21-9) vs. Josh Burkman (28-12), Maryna Moroz (6-0) vs. Valerie Letourneau (7-3), and Chris Kelades (8-2) vs. Chris Beal (10-1).

Several Canadian fighters were also confirmed to be participating on the card, although their opponents have yet to be determined. They include Chad Laprise (11-0), Olivier Aubin-Mercier (6-1), and Sam Stout (21-11-1).

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