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
Craig vs Oezdemir – Round 2
Craig lands a head kick and then a stern one-two! He knows not to get too carried with the striking, but he’s enjoying himself for the moment. He even lands a spinning back kick to the body, then a grazing uppercut in a subsequent clinch.
He soon shoots for a double-leg takedown, but Oezdemir sprawls well and lands on top, in Craig’s half-guard. The Swiss then stands and throws some more outside leg kicks. He sprawls effectively again as Craig attempts another takedown.
Oezdemir is on top again and lands a brutal elbow that seems to have cut Craig’s cheek. He then connects with a stiff punch before backing off and allowing the Scot to stand.
A clean right cross connects for Oezdemir, but Craig fires back with a double-jab, straight combination. A right hook lands for Oezdemir now, and he catches Craig a couple of times as the crowd favourite tries to pull guard.
Another big right hand from the Swiss, who reverses a takedown attempt well. Some good defensive wrestling from Oezdemir in this round.
UFC London LIVE
Craig vs Oezdemir – Round 1
It doesn’t take long for Craig to pull guard and go for a leg lock! The crowd knows how dangerous the Scot’s submissions are. They erupt as he tries for the finish...
But Oezdemir eventually escapes and stands! Again Craig pulls guard, but Oezdemir is able to land a couple of punches from above before standing.
Craig has no interest in striking exchanges. He feints with a couple of jabs then shoots for a single-leg takedown. Oezdemir wriggles free once more. Craig is bleeding from the right side of his head, near the top.
Craig is dropping to the mat at every opportunity, trying to force Oezdemir to engage in grappling exchanges. It’s possible that a couple of leg kicks have bothered the Scot, though, and that that’s part of the reason for the tactic.
He ends the round with a one-two and a head kick, in any case!
UFC London LIVE
UFC London LIVE
UFC London LIVE
The atmosphere just picked up drastically! Craig enters the ring and looks especially intense as he runs around it, facing off with Oezdemir along the way.
Boos as Oezdemir – of Switzerland – is introduced. Huge cheers for Craig!
UFC London LIVE
It’s time for the main card! We start with a light heavyweight clash between Scotland’s Paul Craig and former title challenger Volkan Oezdemir.
UFC London LIVE
L’udovit Klein def. Mason Jones via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).
UFC London LIVE
Jones shakes his head as he looks out through the fence. He knows this one is going Klein’s way.
UFC London LIVE
Jones vs Klein – Round 3
Jones grapples Klein against the fence, but the Slovak reverses the position and slams the Welshman to the canvas.
Klein moves into full guard, where Jones tries to throw up a triangle choke – to no avail.
Jones is eventually able to stand, but Klein has hooks in and hangs off the Welshman’s back.
He slips off but stays in a controlling position. The pair soon separate with 30 seconds left on the clock.
We go to the judges’ scorecards.
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