Alexander Volkov is set to take on Tom Aspinall on a Fight Night card in the UK capital
Russian UFC veteran Alexander Volkov has salvaged the Fight Night main event on Saturday by arriving in London despite fears that he would be forced to miss his contest with home favorite Tom Aspinall.
The 34-9 heavyweight and Moscow native was snapped in the UK capital, meaning he can now face 11-2 contender Aspinall at the weekend.
Their fight was thrown into jeopardy given developments influenced by Russia’s military operation in Ukraine.
Unlike bodies such as FIFA and UEFA which have banned Russian teams, elite MMA championship the UFC has not prevented Russian athletes from being able to participate individually in international events.
In boxing, the British Boxing Board of Control has announced a ban on Russians and Belarusians from being able to compete in the UK.
Separately, there were also concerns that Volkov would not be allowed into the UK after a British member of Parliament announced how “the UK will not welcome the national sports teams of those countries who are complicit” in the military operation in Ukraine.
Yet these fears have been allayed with number seven-ranked heavyweight Volkov now able to seek his fourth win in his last five outings, while number 12-ranked foe Aspinall looks to prolong an unblemished record in the UFC where he is similarly unbeaten in four fights.
