Gagnon off UFC card

Canadian Mitch Gagnon's UFC debut will have to wait.

The 27-year-old bantamweight, who was set to face Johnny Bedford on the undercard of Saturday’s UFC on FOX 2 show in Chicago, was pulled from the card after he was unable to get a work visa in time.

His job with the UFC appears safe however. Gagnon’s manager Joey Benoit said he will be moved to another event in short order (assuming he can secure the visa), perhaps against Bedford or another opponent.

“He's very disappointed," Benoit said. "He was ready to fight, his weight cut was very good. He will take a few days to recharge his energy and the UFC said he will be on a card in a couple of months."

The French Canadian fighter from Sudbury, Ont., was hoping to build on a six-fight win streak in his first fight outside his home country.

It was also to be only his second fight at 135 pounds after starting his career at featherweight. Gagnon (8-1) said in an interview prior to the cancellation he feels much more comfortable at the new weight.

"I was constantly trying to be a big featherweight, eating every couple hours to stay in that weight division," Gagnon said. "Now it’s the opposite, I’m trying to eat less and stay lean. I’m leaner at bantamweight, I’m faster at bantamweight, and the weight is equal to every bantamweight so that’s why I did it."

His performance in his last fight against David Harris at Ringside 12 in Montreal in October proved it was a good move -- not to mention it earned him the UFC call. He won by first-round submission.

"That was one of my best cuts, because I was eating so clean my last fight against David Harris," Gagnon added.

Bedford (18-9-1) was one of the contestants on Season 14 of "The Ultimate Fighter" and was coming off a win over Louis Gaudinot at the finale on Dec. 3. The UFC announced that the American’s bout vs. Gagnon was pulled from the card due to "visa issues," but Bedford was paid his show money, according to MMAmania.com.

Saturday’s UFC event, which takes place at the United Centre, features the first multi-fight main card to be broadcast on FOX in the U.S. and is headlined by a light-heavyweight matchup between Rashad Evans and Phil Davis. The preliminary fights can be seen on Sportsnet ONE starting at 5 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. PT and the two-hour main card will air on Sportsnet East, Ontario, West and Pacific at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT.

James Brydon is the Managing Digital Editor and blogger for sportsnet.ca's UFC section.