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 20:24 · Alex Pattle]

UFC London 2022 LIVE

Herbert vs Topuria – Round 2

Topuria with a finish out of nowhere!!!

He knocks Herbert out COLD with a vicious right hook as the Briton stands with his back against the fence!

[19 March 2022 20:21 · Alex Pattle]

UFC London 2022 LIVE

Herbert vs Topuria – Round 1

Topuria is in Herbert’s guard, throwing strikes to the head.

Herbert shrimps free and stands! He knocks out Topuria’s mouthguard with a series of punches. The Georgian’s mouth is bloodied!

Big knee to the face of Topuria! Then a clean right straight from Herbert as his opponent backs up against the fence.

[19 March 2022 20:18 · Alex Pattle]

UFC London 2022 LIVE

Herbert vs Topuria – Round 1

Here we go. Herbert just misses with a front kick up top.

He tags Topuria with a nice counter left hook as the Georgian backs him up.

Massive left high kick from Herbert to drop Topuria!! Somehow Topuria is still cognisant and manages to trip Herbert!

Herbert stands but is still in Topuria’s grip against the fence. Another successful trip by the Georgian.

[19 March 2022 20:14 · Alex Pattle]

UFC London 2022 LIVE

Cheers for Herbert as he steps into the ring.

[19 March 2022 20:11 · Alex Pattle]

UFC London 2022 LIVE

[19 March 2022 20:10 · Alex Pattle]

UFC London 2022 LIVE

Boos rain down as Topuria makes his entrance.

[19 March 2022 20:07 · Alex Pattle]

UFC London 2022 LIVE

Paddy Pimblett expects to steal the show later tonight.

[19 March 2022 20:04 · Alex Pattle]

UFC London 2022 LIVE

The main card begins with a lightweight meeting between Wolverhampton’s Jai Herbert (11-3) and Ilia Topuria (11-0) of Georgia.

Earlier this week, the unbeaten Topuria was involved in a bust-up with Paddy Pimblett at the fighter hotel.

Story here:

[19 March 2022 19:48 · Alex Pattle]

UFC London 2022 LIVE

Next up, the UFC London main card!

[19 March 2022 19:45 · Alex Pattle]

UFC London 2022 LIVE

Amirkhani: “Just put me back in next week, I’m ready.”