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
Herbert vs Topuria – Round 2
Topuria with a finish out of nowhere!!!
He knocks Herbert out COLD with a vicious right hook as the Briton stands with his back against the fence!
UFC London 2022 LIVE
Herbert vs Topuria – Round 1
Topuria is in Herbert’s guard, throwing strikes to the head.
Herbert shrimps free and stands! He knocks out Topuria’s mouthguard with a series of punches. The Georgian’s mouth is bloodied!
Big knee to the face of Topuria! Then a clean right straight from Herbert as his opponent backs up against the fence.
UFC London 2022 LIVE
Herbert vs Topuria – Round 1
Here we go. Herbert just misses with a front kick up top.
He tags Topuria with a nice counter left hook as the Georgian backs him up.
Massive left high kick from Herbert to drop Topuria!! Somehow Topuria is still cognisant and manages to trip Herbert!
Herbert stands but is still in Topuria’s grip against the fence. Another successful trip by the Georgian.
UFC London 2022 LIVE
Paddy Pimblett expects to steal the show later tonight.
UFC London 2022 LIVE
The main card begins with a lightweight meeting between Wolverhampton’s Jai Herbert (11-3) and Ilia Topuria (11-0) of Georgia.
Earlier this week, the unbeaten Topuria was involved in a bust-up with Paddy Pimblett at the fighter hotel.
Story here:
Paddy Pimblett in hotel bust-up with Ilia Topuria ahead of UFC London
Liverpool’s Pimblett and the Georgian traded words on Twitter before and after the incident
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