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 22:04 · Alex Pattle]

UFC London 2022 LIVE

[19 March 2022 22:03 · Alex Pattle]

UFC London 2022 LIVE

A nice reaction for Hooker.

Now here comes Allen to the sound of Queen’s “We Will Rock You”.

[19 March 2022 22:02 · Alex Pattle]

UFC London 2022 LIVE

And here’s an interview with Allen from last month:

[19 March 2022 22:02 · Alex Pattle]

UFC London 2022 LIVE

Hooker is out first.

One of this writer’s favourite ever interviews to conduct was one with Hooker ahead of his fight with Michael Chandler last January.

Check it out here, if you like:

[19 March 2022 21:59 · Alex Pattle]

UFC London 2022 LIVE

Ipswich featherweight Allen (17-1) is riding a 10-fight win streak as he welcomes New Zealand fan favourite Hooker (21-11) back to the 145lbs division.

[19 March 2022 21:56 · Alex Pattle]

UFC London 2022 LIVE

Well, that moment is going to take some topping.

Just in time, here comes what many fans think will be fight of the night... Arnold Allen vs Dan Hooker.

[19 March 2022 21:55 · Alex Pattle]

UFC London 2022 LIVE

Pimblett leads the crowd in a chant of “Justice for the 97,” in reference to the Hillsborough disaster.

[19 March 2022 21:53 · Alex Pattle]

UFC London 2022 LIVE

[19 March 2022 21:51 · Alex Pattle]

UFC London 2022 LIVE

“I’m never, ever, ever, ever in a boring fight, lad,” Pimblett tells Michael Bisping.

“That was only about a 5 or 6/10. He caught me with a nice punch, I failed with the first takedown attempt.

“He did land a punch...

“See this arena, the O2? Too small, too small. Give me a stadium. Get us to Anfield...

“Mark Zuckerberg, I’m gonna punch your head in. I’m sick of you, lad, shutting down my Instagram profile, when all I do is help charities. You’re the biggest bully in the world, lad.”

[19 March 2022 21:49 · Alex Pattle]

UFC London 2022 LIVE

Paddy Pimblett def. Rodrigo Vargas via first-round submission (rear naked choke, 3:49)

Molly McCann joins Pimblett in the ring to celebrate with her fellow Scouser.