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 21:15 · Alex Pattle]

UFC London 2022 LIVE

Nelson vs Sato – Round 1

Nelson shoots for a single-leg takedown but impressively transitions into a body lock.

He’s able to drag Sato to the mat and quickly takes the back!

Sato defends the right side of his head but takes some hammer fists to the left. Nelson is in control here.

[19 March 2022 21:13 · Alex Pattle]

UFC London 2022 LIVE

Nelson vs Sato – Round 1

Nelson blocks a left high kick from his southpaw opponent, then sees a head kick of his own blocked.

Nelson’s stance is very reminiscent of McGregor’s pre-Mayweather-fight stance, except in orthodox.

He throws a couple of one-twos with the intention of closing distance and grabbing Sato, who has thus far been able to free himself each time.

[19 March 2022 21:09 · Alex Pattle]

UFC London 2022 LIVE

Iceland’s Nelson fights out of SBG Ireland, Conor McGregor’s gym, and has the former champion’s head coach – John Kavanagh – in his corner. Nice reaction for Nelson.

[19 March 2022 21:08 · Alex Pattle]

UFC London 2022 LIVE

An early knockout of the year contender there.

We move on now to welterweight action as Gunnar Nelson (17-5-1) faces Takashi Sato (16-4).

[19 March 2022 21:01 · Alex Pattle]

UFC London 2022 LIVE

[19 March 2022 21:01 · Alex Pattle]

UFC London 2022 LIVE

[19 March 2022 20:59 · Alex Pattle]

UFC London 2022 LIVE

McCann grabbed a UFC title belt from somewhere and walked around the ring, holding it aloft.

[19 March 2022 20:58 · Alex Pattle]

UFC London 2022 LIVE

Molly McCann def. Luana Carolina via third-round KO (spinning back elbow, 1:52)

[19 March 2022 20:57 · Alex Pattle]

UFC London 2022 LIVE

Backstage, Paddy Pimblett jumps for joy for his friend McCann.

[19 March 2022 20:55 · Alex Pattle]

UFC London 2022 LIVE

McCann vs Carolina – Round 3

Final round. The women embrace.

A different kind of embrace follows as they grapple along the cage wall.

“Ole”s from the crowd. Accurate counter left hook lands for McCann!

Oh my word!!!! McCann sends the O2 into raptures with a spinning back elbow that absolutely WRECKS Carolina!