Fernando Gonzalez Out of Bellator 158; Promotion Seeking New Opponent for Michael Page

A proposed showdown between Bellator MMA welterweights Fernando Gonzalez and Michael Page has been scrapped once again.

A promotion official confirmed to Sherdog.com that Gonzalez is out of the Bellator 158 matchup with Page due to “visa issues.” MMAjunkie.com first reported Gonzalez’s exit from the card. Bellator MMA is currently seeking a replacement opponent for Page on the July 16 card, which takes place at O2 Arena in London.

Gonzalez and Page were initially slated to meet at Bellator 151 this past March, but Page withdrew from the co-headlining contest due to undisclosed reasons. Gonzalez, who defeated replacement foe Gilbert Smith via split decision, claimed that “Venom” was avoiding the fight to protect his record.

Gonzalez has authored an improbable five-fight winning streak under the Bellator MMA banner, besting the likes of Karl Amoussou, Karo Parisyan, Marius Zaromskis and Curtis Millender during his current tear. Page, meanwhile, is one of the promotion’s most entertaining talents, boasting a 10-0 record that includes four first-round finishes in five Bellator appearances.

Bellator 158 is headlined by a rematch between Kimbo Slice and James Thompson and also includes a co-main event pitting Paul Daley against Josh Koscheck. The card will air on Spike TV beginning at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT.