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
“Na na na na, Tommy Aspinall, Aspinall, Tommy Aspinall,” is the song ringing around the O2 Arena.
UFC London LIVE
Both heavyweights are in the ring. In the words of Bruce Buffer: “It’s time!”
UFC London LIVE
Here’s what Aspinall told The Independent and other media about Blaydes last week:
“Definitely on paper it’s the toughest test of my career – 100 per cent, by far. It would be stupid to look past someone as good as Curtis. In my opinion, he is the toughest challenge in the division, so for me to look past that is basically suicide. He’s the guy who everyone’s avoiding, but if everyone’s avoiding him, that makes me want to fight him more.”
Full interview here:
Tom Aspinall: ‘I saw this all in my mind before anyone else had seen it’
Interview: The Wigan heavyweight headlines at the O2 Arena for the second time in four months, facing Curtis Blaydes at UFC London
UFC London LIVE
Aspinall, as ever, is out to “Move On Up” by Curtis Mayfield. A great reaction for the Briton, as you’d expect, before boos greet Blayes’ entrance.
UFC London LIVE
Here’s our exclusive interview with Aspinall’s coach Colin Heron, who also trains Darren Till.
Lots of great insight from Heron plus interesting anecdotes from Aspinall’s camp here:
Tom Aspinall’s coach Colin Heron breaks down Curtis Blaydes challenge at UFC London
Exclusive interview: Heron, who also trains UFC fan favourite Darren Till among numerous fighters, analyses where Saturday’s main event will be won and lost
UFC London LIVE
It’s time for the main event! Wigan’s Tom Aspinall takes on American Curtis Blaydes in an important heavyweight clash.
At UFC London in March, Aspinall took part in a UFC main event for the first time. It was also his first UFC fight in front of fans, due to the pandemic.
The 29-year-old submitted veteran Alexander Volkov in the first round after outstriking the Russian.
UFC London LIVE
Curtis continues to give Hermansson the middle finger while exiting the arena.
Hermansson, for what it’s worth, is very complimentary of Curtis’ skills during his post-fight interview.
Hermansson also apologises to the fans, which I don’t think he has any need to do.
He says he hopes they have a great main event to finish off the night on a high.
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