Just nine days prior to the event, UFC Fight Night 70 is at risk of losing numerous fighters from its scheduled lineup.

The U.S. visa system is currently offline because of technical problems that are preventing the issuing of travel visas. According to the U.S. State Department, the system is not expected to come online before next week, which could prevent several foreign competitors off of the upcoming event.

“Our Bureau of Consular Affairs continues to experience problems with the visa system. This is a global issue and we’re working around the clock to fix it,” State Department spokesman John Kirby said at a Wednesday press briefing. “That said, for all the hard work, don’t expect the system will be on-line before next week.”

Multiple people with knowledge of the situation told MMAjunkie at least four fighters scheduled to compete at the June 27 event at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Fla., have yet to be issued approved visa applications. Those people spoke on the condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to publicly discuss such matters.

UFC officials declined to comment when contacted by MMAjunkie.

Assuming the visa system comes online by next week as expected, the date visas are issued could either force the competitors off the card altogether or significantly hamper their time and ability to cut weight.

According to a Twitter post by MMAinterviews.tv’s Spencer Lazara, co-headliner Erick Silva (18-5 MMA, 6-4 UFC), who is scheduled to meet Rick Story (18-8 MMA, 11-6 UFC) in a welterweight bout, is one of the fighters experiencing issues.

“We regret this inconvenience to travelers, recognize that this is causing hardship for those that are waiting for visas, and in some cases their family members or employers in the United States,” said Kirby.

UFC Fight Night 70 was originally expected to take place in Brazil. However, on May 15, company officials announced it would instead take place in Florida.

The current UFC Fight Night 70 card includes:

Lyoto Machida vs. Yoel Romero opponent TBA vs. opponent TBA – “TUF: Brazil 4” lightweight tournament final opponent TBA vs. opponent TBA – “TUF: Brazil 4” bantamweight tournament final Erick Silva vs. Rick Story Lorenz Larkin vs. Santiago Ponzinibbio Steve Bosse vs. Thiago “Marreta” Santos Masanori Kanehara vs. Rani Yahya Hacran Dias vs. Levan Makashvili Viscardi Andrade vs. Andreas Stahl Eddie Gordon vs. Antonio Carlos Junior

For more on UFC Fight Night 70, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.