Travel Restrictions Wreak Havoc On This Saturday’s UFC Card

The coronavirus has devastated the global community over the last few weeks and professional MMA is no different. UFC Fight Night London was scheduled for this coming Saturday, but travel restrictions mandated by President Donald Trump have wreaked havoc on the card.

This Saturday’s UFC card won’t be taking place in London anymore, as UFC President Dana White said that the event will now happen at a location to be announced in the United States. That decision to change locations has destroyed the majority of the card, which looked like this before the travel restrictions:

Tyron Woodley (19-4-1) vs. Leon Edwards (18-3)
Molly McCann (10-2) vs. Ashlee Evans-Smith (6-4)
Darren Stewart (11-4, 1NC) vs. Marvin Vettori (14-4-1)
Paul Craig (12-4-1) vs. Ryan Spann (17-5)
Danny Roberts (17-5) vs. Nicolas Dalby (18-3-1)
Lerone Murphy (8-0-1) vs. Gabriel Benitez (21-7)
Marc Diakiese (14-3) vs. Jai Herbert (10-1)
Makwan Amirkhani (15-4) vs. Mike Grundy (12-1)
Jack Shore (12-0) vs. Geraldo De Freitas (12-5)
Kevin Holland (16-5) vs. Jack Marshman (23-9)
Tom Aspinali (7-2) vs. Jake Collier (10-4)

However, due to the travel restrictions, most of the bouts have either been canned altogether or a new opponent is needed for one of the competitors.

Ariel Helwani of ESPN obtained an email sent out by the UFC to managers/agents looking for fighters to fill next weekends card:

This is an email they are sending out to managers and reps about this new card next week. As you can see, they are even open to signing fighters who currently aren’t on the roster to fill it up, as well. pic.twitter.com/qYcYCDvdyo

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) March 15, 2020

Woodley versus Edwards, which is the main event of the show, is still on at this point, as long as Edwards can get to the United States within the next day or so:

Per sources, Leon Edwards has been told they still want to keep the fight between himself and Tyron Woodley on, but in the US. Edwards has been told he has to leave by this afternoon if he is to make it before the travel ban. Mental. #UFCLondon pic.twitter.com/xkKT1zj5cN

— Jim Edwards (@MMA_Jim) March 15, 2020

Dalby versus Roberts is canceled, according to an Instagram post by Roberts:

 

 

 

 

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I’m sure that everyone has heard the news by now but it is with frustration that I can confirm that my fight scheduled ‪on 21 March 2020‬ at UFC London is no longer going ahead. After numerous months abroad, time spent away from family and all the other sacrifices associated with competing at the elite, it goes without saying that my personal frustration is on another level right now. I have worked hard my whole life for these moments and, particularly in light of last year’s events, I was fully focused on putting on an unforgettable show on for the fans in this year’s co-main event. I live and breathe fighting. I love performing for the fans. I have done everything in my power to make sure this fight happens. However, this is completely out of my control and recognise that the health and safety of the 20,000 people who would be in the O2 Arena ‪on Saturday night‬ is paramount. Therefore, despite the widespread disappointment, if delaying or moving the competition protects people it’s 100% worth it. Life is all about perspective and, in this time of madness, I would urge everyone to spend quality time with their loved ones – that’s certainly what I will be doing. Let’s fight this virus together — (but in groups no larger than 500 people –). See you soon fight fans — #UFC #UFCEurope #UFCLondon #TeamChocolate #MixedMartialArts #UKMMA #SanfordMMA

A post shared by Danny Roberts (@danhotchocolate) on Mar 15, 2020 at 8:20am PDT

Marshman is off the card according to MMA Junkie and his opponent in Kevin Holland is expected to compete against a replacement opponent, while De Freitas versus Shore is off according to a report from the BBC and Evans-Smith versus McCann has also been pulled from the card according to MMA Junkie.

Diakese would take to Instagram to reveal his bout against Herbert has been canceled:

 

 

 

 

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Unfortunately my fight has been cancelled! I’ve spent money and months away from home preparing, however due to #Coronavirus UFC London won’t be going ahead. Obviously health comes first, I hope everyone stays safe at home with their families. —-

A post shared by Bonecrusher ——– (@marc_diakiese) on Mar 15, 2020 at 3:45am PDT

Benitez versus Murphy has also been canceled according to an Instagram post from Murphy:

 

 

 

 

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Devastated to announce my fight has been cancelled due to the corona outbreak. 1 week away from fight night. After 2 trips to Thailand and countless hours in the gym. This was the best I’ve ever felt going into a fight, mentally and physically. Hopefully this will all clear up soon and we will all be back to work! @ufceurope @ufc – – – – #fuckcorona #ufclondon #ufc #trainingcamp #training #gymmotivation

A post shared by Lerone Murphy (@lpresi145) on Mar 15, 2020 at 4:10am PDT

John Kavanagh would take to Twitter to reveal that Philipps vs. Todorovic and Amirkhani vs. Grundy has also been canceled:

Gutted for @MakwanAmirkhani and @JohnPhillipsmma now that #UFCLondon is off. I really hope that @ufc can compensate them some % of their purse. They had invested heavily in their training camps moving to Dublin etc —

— Coach Kavanagh (@John_Kavanagh) March 15, 2020

Fabinski versus Rakhmonov has been pulled from the card according to In The Cage:

Bartosz Fabiński will not fight next week at UFC on ESPN+ 29. He asked UFC to fight ASAP. We should get some more information in next 48 hours. https://t.co/6qHKFXVNSD

— InTheCage.pl (@InTheCagePL) March 15, 2020

So, with all of that going down, here is the current UFC card for this weekend, barring any fighter additions and the such:

Tyron Woodley (19-4-1) vs. Leon Edwards (18-3)
Darren Stewart (11-4, 1NC) vs. Marvin Vettori (14-4-1)
Paul Craig (12-4-1) vs. Ryan Spann (17-5)
Kevin Holland (16-5) vs. TBA
Tom Aspinali (7-2) vs. Jake Collier (10-4)