Dana White has admitted that he expects travel issues for Russian fighters competing at UFC London next weekend.
Five Russian fighters are on the card for UFC Fight Night 204, including main event headliner Alexander Volkov who will take on Tom Aspinall, the English heavyweight who trains in Liverpool.
A win over number five ranked heavyweight Volkov could volt Aspinall into championship contention, and find himself fighting the likes of Ciryl Gane, Stipe Miocic, Francis Ngannou, and potentially, Jon Jones.
However, he may now be forced to fight against an alternative opponent. Amid the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, current flight and airspace restrictions make travel to and from Russia difficult - meaning fighters currently in their home country may struggle to leave.
White told Barstool Sports: "Yeah, you know, it’s obviously gonna cause problems. But we’ll figure it out."
As well as Volkov, Shamil Abdurakhimov and Sergei Pavlovich - two heavyweights who are scheduled to face each other - may be in jeopardy, while Paul Craig's opponent Nikita Krylov may also be unable to travel as well as Jack Shore's opponent Timur Valiev.
White also hinted that there are back-up plans for Aspinall should Volkov not be able to travel.
On the UFC coming to London, White told BT Sport: "Every time we put on an event in London it’s an unbelievable experience.
"The fans are incredible, and the fights are always off the charts. It’s a different kind of energy in England. And I can’t wait to get back there with a fight card on March 19th."
Liverpool star Paddy Pimblett returns to action for his second UFC fight and will face Mexican Rodrigo 'Kazula' Vargas. Fellow Scouser Molly McCann is also on the card - she will fight Brazilian Luana Carolina.
Confirmed fight card
Tom Aspinall vs Alexander Volkov
Dan Hooker vs Arnold Allen
Paddy Pimblett vs Rodrigo Vargas
Paul Craig vs Nikita Krylov
Shamil Abdurakhimov vs Sergei Pavlovich
Gunnar Nelson vs Claudio Silva
Jack Shore vs Timur Valiev
Mike Grundy vs Makwan AmirKhani
Molly McCann vs Luana Carolina
Mo Mokaev vs Cody Durden
Nathaniel Wood vs Liudvik Sholinian
Jake Hadley vs Allan Nascimento
Cory McKenna vs Elise Reed
