Kim Ji-Yeon has been booked to face Alexa Grasso at UFC Austin. The fight is set for June 27th with matchmakers presumably confident the Korean will be allowed in the country.
The U.S. recently announced a ban on flights from most European countries. South Korea has also been hit extremely hard by the coronavirus and there are several territories which will no longer allow its citizens to enter.
Ji-Yeon (9-2-2) is currently ranked #13 at flyweight. She is coming off a stoppage win over Nadia Kassem at UFC 243 last October.
Her reward for that victory is a shot at #14 ranked Alexa Grasso (11-4). The Mexican is based in Guadalajara and has more chance of being able to conduct a regular training camp and then enter the U.S. than her Korean opponent.
There have been 7,979 coronavirus cases in Seoul to date. As a result numerous countries have either banned or restricted Koreans from entering.
With more than three months to prepare the fight Ji-Yeon has plenty of time to find a country where she can train. But with freedom of international movement becoming more limited there has to be a question as to whether this fight will push through.
Meanwhile, upcoming UFC cards will either take place behind closed doors or be moved to a private venue in Las Vegas.
The UFC appears to be pressing ahead with other events but whether they will be able to go ahead as scheduled remains to be seen.
UFC Austin, June 27th, Austin
Kim Ji-Yeon vs. Alexa Grasso (Flyweight)
