UFC London's main fight between Alexander Volkov & Tom Aspinall is now in serious doubt due to UK's crackdown against countries complicit in Russia's invasion Ukraine.
Volkov, a Russian heavyweight, will face Aspinall, a rising Brit contender at The O2 Arena in a fortnight.
However, Volkov's participation in the TAG2 crackdown by Priti Patel is now in doubt
The card's highlight bout could be cut as Priti Patel, Home Secretary, has started cancelling visas for athletes and teams from countries connected to Vladimir Putin’s illegal invasion in Ukraine.
She tweeted Saturday night: "I have cancelled visas for the Belarusian Men's Basketball Team, who were due to be in Newcastle tomorrow night."
"The UK won't welcome the national teams of those countries that are complicit with Putin's illegal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine."
It is understood that Volkov, ex-Bellator heavyweight champ, may lose his visa.
According to MMA Fighting the UFC is monitoring the situation 'for potential solutions'.
Volkov isn’t the only Russian fighter at risk of not being on the UFC’s first European card after November 2019.
Timur Valiev will face off against Jack Shore of Wales, while Shamil Abdurkhimov and Sergei Pavlovich will be facing off.
The UFC was last seen in London in March 2019. Their final show before the pandemic was headlined by a welterweight match between Liverpool's Darren Till, and Jorge Masvidal, a fan favourite.
Covid forced the cancellation of six days in advance of fight night by the MMA champion.
UFC's Dana White, a bigwig in the UFC, is enjoying the long-awaited return of UFC to the UK. It is the country's largest market.
White stated that it was an incredible experience to host an event in London.
"The fans are amazing, and the fights always top the charts.
"It's an entirely different energy in England. And I can't get back there without a fight card for March 19th.
