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
Aspinall: “Okay, first thing, someone buy me a beer.
“Second thing, we drink beer in the UK – not just in Australia.
“So, Tai Tuivasa, next time we’re in the UK...”
UFC London 2022 LIVE
Volkov vs Aspinall – Round 1
ASPINALL GETS THE SUBMISSION!
He forces Volkov to tap to a straight arm lock!
UFC London 2022 LIVE
Volkov vs Aspinall – Round 1
Aspinall briefly looks for a Kimura. He is unable to lock it in, and Volkov stands.
The Russian is bleeding badly from the top of his head, which must have been cut open by those elbows.
Nice feinting from Aspinall, who is backing up Volkov.
The Russian drops Aspinall with a straight punch! But the Englishman was simply off balance, rather than rocked.
Great reflexes by Aspinall to dodge a head kick, and then he takes down Volkov at once!
UFC London 2022 LIVE
Volkov vs Aspinall – Round 1
Volkov grins at Aspinall. Great right straight and left hook by the Englishman.
A couple of hard low kicks, too. Volkov returns fire with an inside leg kick then a rapid kick to the body.
Aspinall gets hold of the Russian and drags him to the canvas at once! He’s straight into side control.
Nice elbows from on top by Aspinall.
UFC London 2022 LIVE
Darren Till is in Aspinall’s corner.
Till headlined UFC London last time the event took place, in 2019, when he was knocked out by Jorge Masvidal.
UFC London 2022 LIVE
Volkov glares at Aspinall while pacing back and forth.
Aspinall is jogging on the spot, not looking at the Russian.
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