By MATT MOLGAARD
MMANEWS.COM Staff Writer

Antonio McKee (25-4-2) got in contact with MMAjunkie.com yesterday to inform the masses that his proposed bout with submission ace Shinya Aoki (27-5-0-1) at Dream 17 will not happen. McKee cites an inability to secure a visa as his reasoning.

Interestingly enough, DREAM insiders are contradicting McKee’s claim, stating, “There's a travel agent in L.A. since this morning ready to get all the paperwork processed and have his visa processed by Thursday. He would have had plenty of time. So if it's a visa issue, he can get it done. If it's not, then his people need to come up with a better excuse.”

There’s been no word on a replacement for Aoki at this point, and his participation at the event now seems in question.

DREAM 17 takes place May 29 at Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. HDNet will air the program in North America; the event will act as a fundraiser following earthquakes and a tsunami that recently caused massive damage to the country.