UFC London 2022 LIVE results: Paddy Pimblett and Tom Aspinall secure statement wins
Re-live round-by-round updates from a monumental night for UK MMA
There must have been something in the air at the O2 Arena on Saturday night, where UFC London marked perhaps the most significant night in the history of UK mixed martial arts. Of the 12 bouts scheduled for the first edition of the event since 2019, 10 featured British fighters. Seven of those combatants were victorious in the English capital, with six winning via stoppage. Five of those finishes came in the first round, while the other was an early contender for knockout of the year.
In the main event on Saturday, Wigan heavyweight Tom Aspinall made a mockery of Alexander Volkov’s vast advantages in experience and height, submitting the Russian with a straight arm lock in the first round after exhibiting sharp skills in striking exchanges, too. Aspinall’s victory followed a co-main event that many had predicted would be fight of the night, and indeed the featherweight clash between Arnold Allen and Dan Hooker delivered in the brief period that it lasted. After a chaotic opening few phases, Ipswich fighter Allen announced himself to the world by securing a TKO victory over fan favourite Dan Hooker in the first round, forcing the referee to step in by melting the New Zealander with a fierce flurry of punches against the fence.
Allen’s win followed the people’s main event, which saw rising star Paddy “The Baddy” Pimblett bewitch those present at the O2 Arena. After the 27-year-old’s captivating walkout, the atmosphere felt like that of a title fight. The Liverpudlian lightweight was knocked down by Rodrigo Vargas almost immediately, but he rallied to take down the Mexican and submit him with a rear naked choke later in the first round. Earlier in the night, Pimblett’s friend Molly McCann produced a knockout of the year contender with a spinning back elbow finish of Luana Carolina.
Re-live updates from the UFC London prelims and main card, below.
UFC London 2022 LIVE
“Seven Nation Army” transitions into “Supersonic” by Oasis. Lovely stuff.
UFC London 2022 LIVE
McKenna’s compatriot Jack “Tank” Shore is up next, putting his 15-0 record on the line against Timur Valiev (18-2, 1 No Contest) in a bantamweight bout.
Shore emerges to “Seven Nation Army” by The White Stripes. The fans chant straight away. Even Russian Valiev enjoys the tune.
UFC London 2022 LIVE
We’ll go to the judges’ scorecards for a decision.
Elise Reed def. Cory McKenna via split decision (27-20, 29-28, 29-28)
A close fight. No British clean sweep this evening.
UFC London 2022 LIVE
McKenna vs Reed – Round 3
Elbows land for McKenna now, before Reed is able to kick away the Welshwoman and stand.
Ninety seconds left in the fight. “Take her down again,” one Welsh fan shouts. “Come on, Cory, smack her!” demands another.
Reed almost drops McKenna with a right hand! The Welshwoman stumbles back against the fence and looks dazed.
She’s quick to recover, though, and even lands her own punches as we enter the final minute…
The fight, a close one, ends with McKenna grappling Reed against the cage wall.
UFC London 2022 LIVE
McKenna vs Reed – Round 3
The pair touch gloves to begin the final round. Reed is red around the mouth; McKenna around the nose.
Both women land right hands in a messy exchange. Reed then backs up McKenna, who manages to secure a double-leg takedown for the third round in a row.
She eats a hammer fist to the head for her troubles but lands a hard punch soon thereafter.
McKenna is in Reed’s full guard, throwing punches. She tries to transition into side control but to no avail.
UFC London 2022 LIVE
McKenna vs Reed – Round 2
Reed looks to back up McKenna and regain momentum.
The women brawl briefly as we approach the final minute of this round.
McKenna flicks out a jab to hide a swift high kick, but that second strike doesn’t quite land.
McKenna drives a double-leg and again lifts Reed, before dumping the American to the canvas in the final seconds of the round!
UFC London 2022 LIVE
McKenna vs Reed – Round 2
More outside low kicks from Reed in this second round. She narrowly misses with an overhand right, and McKenna fails to land her own retaliatory shot.
Now a right straight stings McKenna, who has admittedly taken these sorts of strikes well this evening.
More “woo”s from the crowd during a slower period, before McKenna lands a decent right hand.
The 22-year-old then connects with a low switch kick – nice stuff.
A McKenna left hook is just a primer for a fierce right straight now! She then catches a kick and fires a right hand over the top, before connecting with a knee to her ducking opponent.
UFC London 2022 LIVE
McKenna vs Reed – Round 1
McKenna is a little reddened around the nose. She eats another firm low kick, then blocks a high kick.
She staggers Reed with a hard right hand, but it seems to be more a matter of balance from Reed rather than the American being hurt – she even appeared to block the shot with her shoulder.
The women brawl in close now, with Reed the more accurate fighter in this exchange! A stiff right hand appears to land.
Reed almost lands another, but McKenna ducks and seeks a double-leg takedown. She drives her opponent to the fence.
McKenna eventually lifts Reed and dumps her to the mat! The Welshwoman lands a few hard shots, including elbows, from above as the round winds down. Reed stands late on.
UFC London 2022 LIVE
McKenna vs Reed – Round 1
Nice right hand from Reed right away. McKenna misses with an overhand left.
McKenna blocks a high kick and is unfazed by a side kick to the body as she backs up Reed.
Reed seems to just evade a right straight. “Woo”s from a restless crowd as the women feint and move but throw little.
Reed lands with a low kick, before McKenna misses with a one-two. Another decent leg kick from Reed after McKenna lands one of her own.
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