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

Paddy Pimblett and Ilia Topuria in hotel bust-up before UFC London

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

• Tom Aspinall def. Alexander Volkov via first-round submission (straight arm lock, 3:45)
• Arnold Allen def. Dan Hooker via first-round TKO (punches, 2:33)
• Paddy Pimblett def. Rodrigo Vargas via first-round submission (rear naked choke, 3:49)
• Gunnar Nelson def. Takashi Sato via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)
• Molly McCann def. Luana Carolina via third-round KO (spinning back elbow, 1:52)
• Ilia Topuria def. Jai Herbert via first-round KO (punch, 1:07)
• Plus numerous Britons in action in prelim bouts

[19 March 2022 22:23 · Alex Pattle]

UFC London 2022 LIVE

Everyone is out of their seats for Aspinall as he walks out to “Move On Up”.

Great walkout song.

[19 March 2022 22:21 · Alex Pattle]

UFC London 2022 LIVE

It’s time for the main event of the evening...

Wigan heavyweight Tom Aspinall (11-2) is on a seven-fight win streak, with stoppages in all of those bouts.

Alexander Volkov (34-9), fighting out of Russia, is a veteran of the sport who has experience headlining in London.

[19 March 2022 22:15 · Alex Pattle]

UFC London 2022 LIVE

[19 March 2022 22:15 · Alex Pattle]

UFC London 2022 LIVE

[19 March 2022 22:14 · Alex Pattle]

UFC London 2022 LIVE

Allen calls out Calvin Kattar. Sign us up.

[19 March 2022 22:13 · Alex Pattle]

UFC London 2022 LIVE

Allen: “I had thoughts of Hooker doing all these nasty things that he’s done to other guys, knocking me out. I was s***ing myself.”

[19 March 2022 22:12 · Alex Pattle]

UFC London 2022 LIVE

Arnold Allen def. Dan Hooker via first-round TKO (punches, 2:33)

[19 March 2022 22:10 · Alex Pattle]

UFC London 2022 LIVE

Allen vs Hooker – Round 1

Allen with a one-two and the straight shot hurts Hooker!

A high kick lands for the Englishman, then a fierce series of punches against the fence and the referee waves it off!

Allen stops Hooker in the first round!

[19 March 2022 22:08 · Alex Pattle]

UFC London 2022 LIVE

Allen vs Hooker – Round 1

Here we go! Front kick misses for Hooker early on. He’s leading the dance, though.

A couple of hard outside low kicks land for Allen. Good overhand left from the Englishman!

One-two then he backs up Hooker with a series of punches! How is Hooker still standing?!

Hooker clips Allen with his own punch and wobbles the home fighter! But Allen goes right back to throwing punches.

Again Hooker survives somehow! His nose is busted up.

[19 March 2022 22:04 · Alex Pattle]

UFC London 2022 LIVE