UFC: Sasha Palatnikov prefers no flag if he can’t use Hong Kong’s, but insists ‘I’m just there to fight’
- Hong Kong’s first UFC fighter admits he’s in ‘confusing spot’ regarding walkout flag for Octagon return this weekend
- ‘I’ll be that guy. It’s just one of those situations. We’ll see what they do,’ Palatnikov says
“If you know, you know,” he said, smiling, as he showed off the piece of plastic adorned with the red and white colours of the Hong Kong flag.
Born and raised in the city, 32-year-old Palatnikov (6-2) had planned on draping the white bauhinia around his shoulders at UFC 256 when he became the first Hong Kong fighter to make that walk to the Octagon.
But on fight night, the graphic next to his name on the broadcast showed the Chinese national flag – UFC rules state that only flags of internationally recognised states can be shown.
Now he has no idea what colours he will fly when he returns to the cage this weekend at UFC Vegas 23 in the opening bout against American Impa Kasanganay (8-1).
“I’m not sure, I really don’t know,” Palatnikov told SCMP MMA. “I have to, I guess, wait and see. I’m not sure what they’re gonna do. My manager asked me if I wanted to come out to an American flag, a Hong Kong flag … I’m kinda in a confusing spot.
