Emil Meek Says UFC 219 Fight May Be Off Due To Visa Issues
Emil Meek is currently training for a fight against top 15 ranked welterweight Kamaru Usman that is scheduled for UFC 219 this December.
The welterweight fighter recently revealed that the fight may be called off due to visa issues on Meek’s end.
“Right now we’re just waiting for the American Embassy to get back to us with a time line,” Meek said to MMA Fighting. “It depends on whether I need a waiver from Washington or not. There’s not much I can do right now but to wait. And I know UFC’s legal team is on top of it, and all I can do is to trust them.They’re telling me that if everything goes according to plan it takes 10 days to get the visa. But if they need to run through the US government/Washington it could take 3-6 months to get it through.”
At this moment in time, the fight between Meek and Usman is still scheduled for the UFC 219 card.
Despite his want to fight a top ranked opponent, the surging welterweight is starting to lose hope that the fight will actually happen.
“I’ve finally got the opportunity to fight a ranked opponent and I’m getting pulled from the fight with no injuries or nothing. As a powerful man, I feel very helpless in this situation. It’s not looking very bright for the Usman fight, but the UFC has shown that they want me to fight in the rankings, and that’s what matters in the end. I didn’t die and I’m in great shape, and I’m training hard with my team! I have a bright future!,” says Meek.
UFC 219 takes place on Saturday, December 30 from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada with no main event announced at this time. Fightful is providing live coverage of the event, with a post-show podcast to follow.
