The UFC’s approach to its 2018 schedule in Europe? Seize the moment.

UFC executive David Shaw said the promotion doesn’t have any concrete plans in the region for the remainder of the year despite reports of a September event in Russia.

“Our approach to the rest of the year is it’s all up in the air right now,” he told MMAjunkie prior to UFC Fight Night 127, which took place this past Saturday at The O2 in London.

Shaw said a Russian event is “on the horizon” but not necessarily imminent. The UFC believes the country is potentially one of the most valuable markets to its business and already has a ready-made star in Dagestan-born UFC lightweight title challenger Khabib Nurmagomedov (25-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC), who will fight for the belt next month against interim champ Tony Ferguson (23-3 MMA, 13-1 UFC) at UFC 223.

A Nurmagomedov win could serve as the prelude to a homecoming event, but Shaw said roadblocks remain to the UFC’s presence in Russia.

“You’ve got to have a local partner that understands the media landscape that also can connect well with key stakeholders in the region,” Shaw said. “We’ve got to set up that first. Is it imminent? I wouldn’t say that. But we’re really gunning to be there later this year or in 2019.”

Shaw downplayed the challenge of slotting a live event in Russia in the traditional Saturday night time slot, forcing local fans to attend early Sunday morning.

“(We had) Stockholm in the middle of the night, and Manchester in the middle of the night,” he said. “Nothing’s impossible. When it comes to Russia, it’s an interesting conversation. Barring any perceived geopolitical risk for us, the opportunity to get to Russia is huge.”

Nurmagomedov believes that price – not time – is one of the things holding back the UFC. The undefeated fighter said the promotion needs to lower its price to make a dent in the Russian market.

While the UFC might not be flexible on that front, the promotion has shown a willingness to be flexible when opportunities arise. Executives quickly shifted to capture UFC welterweight Darren Till’s (16-0-1 MMA, 4-0-1 UFC) momentum, booking a date for UFC Fight Night 130 in Till’s hometown of Liverpool, England. The promotion previously had been expected to land in Dublin for the May 27 date.

“It’s an exciting time for us, because he’s a dynamic that, I think, has got a really high ceiling in the UFC,” Shaw said. “It’s something that’s been on (UFC President Dana White’s) radar for a long time.”

Shaw doesn’t rule out a return to Dublin later in the year. He praised UFC lightweight champion Conor McGregor and MMA coach John Kavanagh for helping to build the sport in Ireland, and said there’s no doubt the UFC will return as soon as possible.

The promotion also wants another date in Sweden, where it has a strong partnership with Viasat and a star to promote in two-time light heavyweight title challenger Alexander Gustafsson (18-4 MMA, 10-4 UFC).

“We’re very bullish on the region,” Shaw said.

To hear more from Shaw, watch the video above.

For more on the UFC’s upcoming schedule, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.