Alexander Volkov IS featured on UFC London poster for headliner with Tom Aspinall despite huge doubts over Russian’s visa application amid war with Ukraine
- Tom Aspinall is set to headline UFC London against Alexander Volkov next month
- British heavyweight may be concerned Volkov could fail to secure a visa
- Many Russians are being banned from competing in a variety of sports
- Sanctions for the Russian invasion of Ukraine are stretching far and wide
- But the UFC released a promotional poster, suggesting Volkov will be there
UFC London is still being promoted as a clash between Alexander Volkov and Tom Aspinall, despite doubts over the Russian’s visa application.
With Russian teams and athletes being ostracised across the board following the country’s invasion of Ukraine, many have questioned whether the main event on March 19 is under threat.
Aspinall, the British heavyweight tipped by many as a future champion, is preparing himself to face Volkov at the very top of a stacked card.
And for now at least, the event is being slated to go ahead as planned, with the UFC releasing a promotional poster involving the headliners on Sunday.
It seems unlikely that Volkov will be granted permission to enter the UK unless there is a ceasefire or end to the conflict.
But for the moment, the UFC do not appear to be considering scrapping the main event or finding Aspinall a replacement opponent.
Home Secretary Priti Patel recently wrote on Twitter: ‘The UK will not welcome the national sports teams of those countries who are complicit in Putin’s unprovoked and illegal invasion of Ukraine’.
Alexander Volkvov (top left) was featured on the UFC London poster despite visa doubts
Tom Aspinall’s main event clash is in real jeopardy for the March 19 card in London
And the country’s main airline, Aeroflot, has been banned from UK airspace.
Elsewhere on the card, there are three more Russians who may no longer be able to take part, Timur Valiev, Shamil Abdurakhimov and Sergei Pavlovich.
The UFC are known to be extremely resourceful in organising their events regardless of diffiuclt logistics but it would be a surprise to see the Russians compete in London.
The Russian football team has been banned from this year’s World Cup in Qatar and their club sides thrown out of European competitions.
The O2 Arena will play host to the first UFC London card since before the pandemic and repairs on the roof are ongoing after damage sustained in Storm Eunice
Spartak Moscow were cast out of the Europa League on Monday and the International Paralympic Committee are meeting on Wednesday to decide whether the Russian team can compete at the Games in Beijing.
International pressure is ramping up and sanctions of Russian athletes and teams are hoped to cause a rethink at the Kremlin.
As it stands, Vladimir Putin shows no signs of pulling his troops out of Ukraine and so far 644 people have been killed.
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