In the Cage – 12.26.12

Each day, The MMA Corner will provide a recap of results, event announcements, fight match-ups, and injuries/cancellations from throughout the world of MMA.

Hard-hitting British welterweight Paul Daley has removed from the upcoming Bellator Season Eight tournament due to visa issues.

The UFC veteran announced the news via his Facebook page. Daley was slated to meet War Machine in January, but an injury to War Machine and the recent visa issues will push the fight later into 2013.

Daley said that he hopes to resolve the issues in April, also stating that a rumored bar brawl was simply untrue.

Following back-to-back losses, Bellator has released its inaugural 135-pound champion Zach Makovsky.

The 29-year-old fighter confirmed the news on his Twitter page, thanking the promotion for the opportunity.

Makovsky lost his belt to Eduardo Dantas in April, then suffered a split decision loss to Anthony Leone in December.

The upcoming Glory 4/Dream 18 card has found a US broadcast partner.

CBS Sports Network (Channel 613 on DirecTV,  Channel 158 on Dish Network) will air the New Year’s Eve event in a split, tape-delayed format. The Glory kickboxing portion will air at 10 p.m. ET on New Year’s Eve, while the Dream MMA portion will air the following day at the same time.

The New Year’s Eve Dream 18 card will now include a women’s featherweight bout between Marloes Coenen and submission ace Fiona Muxlow.

The event takes place from the Saitama Super Arena north of Tokyo, Japan and coincides with the Glory 16-man heavyweight tournament.

All 22 combatants at the Dec. 15 Ultimate Fighter 16 Finale were tested for steroids and drugs of abuse and each of the fighters were clean.

Nevada State Athletic Commission Executive Director Keith Kizer revealed the news.