November 22, 2024

Priscila Cachoeira still dealing with visa issues that got UFC debut canceled

Priscila Cachoeira was supposed to face Lauren Murphy at the TUF 26 Finale card.
Guilherme Cruz, MMA Fighting

Priscila Cachoeira was booked to make her UFC debut against Lauren Murphy at last Friday’sThe Ultimate Fighter 26 Finale card in Las Vegas, but was forced out of the card due to visa issues.

Murphy ended up facing Barb Honchak on Dec. 1, winning via split decision, while Cachoeira’s situation is still up in the air as she applies for a work visa.

“We don’t know exactly what happened,” Cachoeira’s coach Gilliard Parana told MMA Fighting on Monday. “Maybe with the new laws with president Trump or something like that, they might be asking for more papers for someone going to the United States to work for the first time.

“We don’t know what’s happening. The UFC sets the interviews up at the consulate and send us the papers, so we go to the consulate for the interview. We’re just waiting now.”

According to her coach, the UFC considered giving “Pedrita” a fight at the UFC Fresno card on Dec. 9, but that looks unlikely as of right now.

“The UFC will book a fight for her after the visa gets approved,” Parana said. “For now, we’re also out of the Dec. 9 card as well. We’ll wait and see what happens.”

Cachoeira holds a perfect 8-0 record in MMA and finished four of her last five opponents in the regional circuit. “Pedrita” has never fought outside of Brazil.

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