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 21:45 · Alex Pattle]

UFC London 2022 LIVE

Pimblett vs Vargas – Round 1

Pimblett stands against the fence! The crowd likes that.

Pimblett is now able to throw Vargas to the canvas, and the crowd likes that even more!

The Liverpudlian takes Vargas’ back with ease and works towards a rear naked choke...

VARGAS TAPS! The crowd erupts!

[19 March 2022 21:43 · Alex Pattle]

UFC London 2022 LIVE

Pimblett vs Vargas – Round 1

It feels like a title fight is about to take place.

Hard low kick by Pimblett, but he’s dropped almost at once by a right hand!

Vargas tries for a couple of follow-up punches but seems content to lay on top of Pimblett and wear him out.

“Oh, Paddy The Baddy!” is the chant from the crowd as they will their man to get up.

[19 March 2022 21:41 · Alex Pattle]

UFC London 2022 LIVE

[19 March 2022 21:34 · Alex Pattle]

UFC London 2022 LIVE

Liverpudlian Pimblett (17-3) won his UFC debut via first-round knockout last year.

The 27-year-old fan favourite is convinced he will secure a statement win against Vargas (12-4) here.

Boos for the Mexican as he makes his way to the ring.

[19 March 2022 21:32 · Alex Pattle]

UFC London 2022 LIVE

Next up. Paddy “The Baddy” Pimblett vs Rodrigo “Kazula” Vargas.

[19 March 2022 21:30 · Alex Pattle]

UFC London 2022 LIVE

Gunnar Nelson def. Takashi Sato via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)

[19 March 2022 21:28 · Alex Pattle]

UFC London 2022 LIVE

Nelson vs Sato – Round 3

Nelson is just beating up Sato here.

He again looks for a rear naked choke but can’t quite secure it.

In any case, Nelson ends the round in control and will receive a handy points victory here.

[19 March 2022 21:26 · Alex Pattle]

UFC London 2022 LIVE

Nelson vs Sato – Round 3

Final round. The welterweights touch gloves.

Nelson manages to get another takedown midway through the round and easily takes Sato’s back once more.

Again the Icelandic fighter throws punches and hammer fists.

[19 March 2022 21:22 · Alex Pattle]

UFC London 2022 LIVE

Nelson vs Sato – Round 2

Nelson is grappling Sato against the fence and manages to take the back again. The crowd is getting excited, believing a finish may come soon...

Nelson throws clubbing punches and hammer fists, and then tries for a rear naked choke...

He can’t quite lock it in so opts to throw more strikes.

[19 March 2022 21:19 · Alex Pattle]

UFC London 2022 LIVE

Nelson vs Sato – Round 2

The referee appears to warn Sato not to grab Nelson’s gloves, which suggests that the Japanese must have sneakily done so in the first round.

Body kick from Nelson. He’s trying to enter with overhand rights but keeps catching Sato with his forearm instead.

Beautiful right straight from the Icelandic fighter, though! That stings Sato.

Hard low kick by Sato in response. Again Nelson mistimes an overhand right, but he follows that with a clean one!

Now a drive double-leg takedown from Nelson!