“No idea what’s going to happen with Russia”- Dana White offers an update on the status of Russian fighters

“No idea what’s going to happen with Russia”- Dana White offers an update on the status of Russian fighters

Dana White on Russian fighters' future

Russian aggression against Ukraine has gotten criticism from all the western countries. Starting from sanctions to defamation, Russia is facing it all. 

As a consequence of sanctions, their stock market has crashed and demand for their currency has also decreased. From bureaucrats to common people everyone is facing difficulties because of the international exclusion Russia is facing. In such times the situation of Russian sportspersons is no different. 

Many western countries are canceling the visas of Russian athletes. UFC fighter Alexander Volkov​’s situation is also in danger and he might not be able to travel to the UK to headline the UFC London to be held this month. 

He is scheduled to fight Tom Aspinal on the 19th of March in the O2 Arena of London. However, with the UK banning the Belarusian basketball team’s visas amid the war, Volkov’s chances of fighting Aspinal this month seem to be in jeopardy. 

Apart from Volkov, Petr Yan is also another Russian fighter who might face problems in the near future for the same reason prior to his fight against Aljamain Sterling for the bantamweight belt. 

Dana White is uncertain of the UFC London’s main event amid Russian invasion of Ukraine

Dana WHite UFC london

Recently, UFC president Dana White has shared his opinion on the issue. While talking about Volkov’s situation to MMA Junkie Dana White said:

“We’re trying to get him into England sooner so he can fight. When things like this start blowing up, we start looking at potential problems and what possibilities are, and we try to get around them…We try to figure out, ‘If that’s going to happen, let’s get these guys into England earlier…I know that we’ve been trying to get Volkov to leave Russia, and he hasn’t wanted to.”

With Volkov not wanting to come to the UK early before the scheduled fight it is uncertain what the future holds for the UFC veteran. However, fight fans should hope to see the fight as UFC is returning to London after a long hiatus. 

Petr Yan vs Aljamain Sterling
Petr Yan vs Aljamain Sterling

Talking about Petr Yan’s fight against Aljamain Sterling at UFC 273 to be held in the month of April Dana White said:

 “Like I tell you guys all the time, just when you think the world’s about to get normal again, it gets even nuttier…so, we’ll see how it works out. You keep asking me questions like, ‘Will Conor McGregor fight for the title when he comes back in the fall?’ I don’t know what’s going on in the fall. When the fall comes, we’ll see what’s happening…If Petr Yan cannot get into the country?’ I have no idea what’s going to happen with Russia and all these other things. I don’t know.”

As of now, Dana White seems to be confused about the situation in the future. This is absolutely understandable, if the UK or US government decides to boycott Russian fighters then Mr. White would be forced to accept the decision.

Also Read: “It’s a horrible thing,” Dana White reacts to the arrest of Cain Velasquez