Alexander
Volkov’s headlining fight against Tom
Aspinall at
UFC Fight Night 204 could be in jeopardy due to sanctions
issued by the United Kingdom government against Russian
athletes.
In light of Russian forces invading Ukraine, United Kingdom home
secretary Priti Patel said, “The UK will not welcome the national
sports teams of those countries who are complicit in Putin’s
unprovoked and illegal invasion of #Ukraine.”
I have cancelled the visas of the Belarusian
Men’s Basketball Team who were due to play in Newcastle tomorrow
night.The UK will not welcome the national sports teams of those
countries who are complicit in Putin’s unprovoked and illegal
invasion of
#Ukraine.— Priti Patel (@pritipatel)
February 26, 2022
Volkov, a native of Moscow, is slated to meet Aspinall in a
featured heavyweight clash at the O2 Arena in London on March 19.
As of now, Volkov’s team is taking a wait-and-see approach
regarding the fighter’s status.
“The visa has been issued,” said Volkov’s manager, Ivan Bannikov.
“All will depend on any new sanctions. But at this moment, this is
all unimportant, as our thoughts are of the people dying in
Ukraine, on both sides. Our thoughts and prayers are with
them.”
Volkov last appeared at UFC 267, where he outpointed Marcin
Tybura this past October. The promotion has not issued a
statement regarding the contest as of this writing, but a poster
featuring Volkov and Aspinall was recently unveiled.
20 days to go!!
Your official
#UFCLondon poster has just dropped! pic.twitter.com/2FdtZ86Lum— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope)
February 27, 2022