UFC London LIVE results: Paddy Pimblett wins before Tom Aspinall injury against Curtis Blaydes
Re-live updates and see all results from the O2 Arena, where a host of British fighters competed
Paddy Pimblett was once again the star of UFC London, four months after the MMA promotion’s last trip to the English capital, submitting Jordan Leavitt in the second round before fellow Briton Tom Aspinall suffered a knee injury just seconds into the main event.
Pimblett, who entered the O2 Arena with a 2-0 record in the UFC after two first-round stoppage wins, was largely outwrestled by Leavitt in the first round of their fight on Saturday night, but the Liverpudlian kept his composure to set up the finish in Round 2. Pimblett, 27, dropped Leavitt with a knee in the clinch as both lightweights grappled along the fence, and “Paddy The Baddy” quickly took the American’s back before locking in a rear naked choke. Leavitt soon tapped out, sending the O2 into raptures in a similar fashion to how the crowd reacted to Pimblett’s submission of Rodrigo Vargas in March.
Later in the night, the highly-anticipated heavyweight main event between Wigan’s Aspinall and American Curtis Blaydes ended after just 15 seconds, when the Briton’s knee gave way after he had thrown a leg kick. Aspinall collapsed to the canvas, and referee Herb Dean waved off the fight, before Blaydes was declared the winner by TKO once a wincing Aspinall, 29, had finally gotten back to his feet with his leg in a brace. Re-live updates and see all results from UFC London, below.
UFC London LIVE
Herbert vs Nelson – Round 1
Now the atmosphere grows a little tense for the first time tonight.
Lots of feinting from Herbert early on. He’s light on his feet. He tries for a one-two, but Nelson is out of range. Now it’s Nelson who misses as he lunges in with a left hook.
Nelson catches a body kick and looks to take down Herbert, who shows good enough defence to stay standing, although he is driven back to the fence. Herbert is able to reverse the position, but he eats a couple of stiff elbows.
The pair move into the open, where Herbert evades a front kick up top and blocks a left high kick. He is caught hard with a leg kick, though.
UFC London LIVE
Boos for Nelson as Bruce Buffer makes the Canadian’s introduction.
UFC London LIVE
A good reception from the London crowd as Herbert emerges!
UFC London LIVE
Next up, Britain’s Jai Herbert takes on Kyle Nelson in a lightweight contest.
Herbert was on the verge of a massive stoppage win against Ilia Topuria here in March, but the Wolverhampton fighter ended up knocked out himself.
Let’s see if he can bounce back.
UFC London LIVE
To the judges’ scorecards...
Victoria Leonardo def. Mandy Bohm via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).
UFC London LIVE
Bohm vs Leonardo – Round 3
Hard outside low kick by Bohm. Leonardo tries for a spinning back kick again, but it’s too slow, and Bohm is able to evade with ease. Leonardo looks to grapple instead, pushing Bohm to the cage wall, where the German tries for a guillotine choke in response.
It’s not quite there, though. She’s soon able to get free but eats a right hook in the centre of the Octagon. Leonardo, once again, drives the action to the fence, but she’s not able to do any work of note, so the referee separates the fighters.
Bohm connects with an elbow up top as Leonardo ducks during an entry. Now a left hook for Bohm and a body kick! She’s taken down, and Leonardo ends the fight on top.
UFC London LIVE
Bohm vs Leonardo – Round 2
The flyweights trade strikes before Leonardo grapples Bohm, driving her back to the fence, where the women trade knees.
Bohm is able to reverse the position and assert some control, forcing the action into the centre of the ring. A side kick lands for Leonardo, right in the stomach of Bohm.
Leonardo grabs hold of the German again and pushes her back to the fence – to the dismay of some of the London crowd. Bohm is able to create space, but not for long; the round ends with her back to the cage wall once more.
UFC London LIVE
Bohm vs Leonardo – Round 1
Leonardo comes forward with a hard left hook, before Bohm grabs her and the women grapple against the fence.
Bohm lands a couple of knees to the torso of Leonardo. Some “woo”s from a crowd that is growing gradually more restless.
Leonardo connects with a straight right hand then tries a side kick. Leonardo responds with a shooting jab. Now hard leg kick lands for Bohm, who then evades a spinning back kick attempt by Leonardo.
Bohm lays in a harsh outside leg kick, and Leonardo times a perfect counter punch seconds later. Now she has the German against the fence. That’s where the round will end, too.
UFC London LIVE
Next up is Mandy Bohm vs Victoria Leonardo in a women’s flyweight bout.
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