UFC London in doubt as America bans travel to UK over coronavirus and US fighters on card have not flown over yet – The Sun

UFC LONDON is the latest sporting event to have been plunged into doubt – after the United Kingdom was added to America's European travel ban.

President Donald Trump confirmed that, beginning on Monday, travel to the UK will be severely restricted.

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And ESPN's Ariel Helwani has revealed that "There are American fighters scheduled to compete in London next week who haven't left yet".

One American down to fight at the O2 Arena is Tyron Woodley, the former UFC Welterweight champion set to take on home favourite Leon Edwards in the main event.

Kevin Holland is another US fighter scheduled to compete at UFC Fight Night 171 next Saturday.

American citizens and green card holders WILL still be allowed to return to the US under the new measures, but Vice President Mike Pence has revealed that they will be "funnelled" back through select airports.

UFC president Dana White has so far decided to go against the grain by NOT axing upcoming events – although meets in Brasilia and Las Vegas will be conducted behind closed doors.

Everybody is panicking, and instead of panicking, we're actually getting out there and working with doctors and health officials and the government to figure out how we can keep the sport safe.

White told ESPN: "I talked to the president and the vice president of the United States about this.

"They're taking this very serious. They're saying, 'Be cautious, be careful, but live your life and stop panicking.'

"Everybody is panicking, and instead of panicking, we're actually getting out there and working with doctors and health officials and the government to figure out how we can keep the sport safe and how we can continue to put on events."

Many fans' attentions have turned to the much-anticipated fight between UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson – currently set for April 18.

The mouthwatering clash has failed to materialise before – and even White himself joked about the potential of the New York bout being KO'd by Covid-19.

The 50-year-old posted a meme to Instagram, implying fear that one of the UFC's biggest ever match-ups could again fall at the last hurdle.

The United States currently have 2,175 confirmed cases.

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