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
Jones vs Klein – Round 2
Klein with a left hook that lands clean. Jones comes back with a couple of decent punches, but his chin is up in the air and he gets caught with a powerful one-two!
The Welshman drops to the mat, his eyes glazed over, but he somehow snaps back to reality in time to defend as Klein follows him to the canvas!
Klein establishes control and is able to fend off an armbar attempt from Jones.
Jones is eventually able to stand and get to work, putting Klein’s back to the fence. Great resilience from Jones.
UFC London LIVE
Jones vs Klein – Round 1
Jones is staring down Klein. Here we go.
Jones just about connects with a left hook. He then throws a front kick to the body. Lots of feinting from southpaw Klein, who tags Jones with a couple of hooks. Jones with an inside low kick, but Klein comes over the top with a hard, straight punch.
Jones applies some pressure before grabbing Klein against the fence. Good defence from the Slovak, though, and he frees himself before landing a crisp jab while moving away.
Jones eats a hard left head kick. He throws another teep kick to the body before grappling Klein against the cage wall. The Welshman throws a couple of knees to the body before trying an elbow off the break, but Klein slips away.
“Oh, Paddy The Baddy,” rings around the O2 Arena... He’s not going to be out until about 9pm!
Klein lands a beautiful jumping head kick!
UFC London LIVE
One more prelim bout to come!
Wales’ Mason Jones takes on L’udovit Klein of Slovakia in a lightweight contest.
Jones, 27, knew for some time that he’d be competing on this card, but he only discovered who his opponent would be about a week ago.
UFC London LIVE
Marc Diakiese def. Damir Hadzovic via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-27).
UFC London LIVE
Diakiese vs Hadzovic – Round 3
Hadzovic is finally able to stand with just a few seconds left in the round. Diakiese steps back before trying a creative, acrobatic kick! He misses, but he rolls under Hadzovic’s counter punch and scores one final takedown just before the buzzer sounds.
UFC London LIVE
Diakiese vs Hadzovic – Round 3
Diakiese throws a left hook to the body then shoots for a takedown. Hadzovic defends it, but he’s tripped immediately afterwards.
A lot more control time for Diakiese now. He’s cruising to a decision win here.
UFC London LIVE
Diakiese vs Hadzovic – Round 2
Diakiese checks a hard outside low kick. He then sees a head kick blocked. Now the Briton jabs to the body before shooting for another takedown. Hadzovic goes down fairly easily.
More control from Diakiese, and the crowd throws down a few “woo”s from the rafters of the O2 Arena.
Diakiese gets a couple of punches off with Hadzovic lying against the fence. Referee Herb Dean stands up the two lightweights and calls a doctor into the ring to check on Hadzovic’s left eye.
It’s unclear whether a clash of heads or perhaps an accidental eye poke occurred...
The doctor deems that Hadzovic is okay to continue. At once Hadzovic tries for a takedown, but Diakiese fends it off and connects with a few hooks to end the round.
UFC London LIVE
Diakiese vs Hadzovic – Round 1
Diakiese shoots for a single-leg takedown before transitioning sucessfully into a throw! He moves into full guard, controlling Hadzovic for the time being.
Hadzovic is able to partially stand, but he can’t get far. We’re looking at nearly five whole minutes of control time if it stays like this.
Diakiese is able to land some shots from above as the round comes to an end.
UFC London LIVE
Rosa limps past us at ringside. Wood skips past. “He’s back!” the Briton grins.
Next up is a lightweight contest between Damir Hadzovic and Britain’s Marc Diakiese.
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