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
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 LIVE
Makwan Amirkhani def. Mike Grundy via first-round submission (anaconda choke, 0:57)
Amirkhani actually transitioned into an anaconda choke from the guillotine.
UFC London 2022 LIVE
Grundy vs Amirkhani – Round 1
Two grapplers here. Grundy immediately shoots for a takedown but finds himself in a guillotine attempt.
He said earlier this week that he thought he and his opponent might just end up striking throughout...
Grundy tries to wriggle free but to no avail...
The referee checks on Grundy... He’s out! He’s out cold.
UFC London 2022 LIVE
Grundy walks out to “Here I Go Again” by Whitesnake.
Bruce Buffer is loving it, singing along.
A big cheer for Grundy as he motions to the crowd.
UFC London 2022 LIVE
Amirkhani with a backflip after making his way into the ring. He then bounces against the opposite cage door and it swings wide open.
Thank goodness he didn’t fall through!
UFC London 2022 LIVE
Grundy and Amirkhani were due to fight one another at UFC London in 2020, only for the event to be cancelled on short notice.
UFC London 2022 LIVE
Paddy Pimblett appears on the big screen as he makes his way into the arena.
He looks very relaxed. Quite a few cheers for the Liverpudlian lightweight, who takes on Rodrigo “Kazula” Vargas later tonight.
UFC London 2022 LIVE
One more prelim fight to come!
Mike Grundy, fighting out of Wigan, takes on “Mr Finland” Makwan Amirkhani.
Grundy (12-3) is on a two-fight skid, while Amirkhani (16-7) has lost his last three bouts.
Featherweight action is moments away...
UFC London 2022 LIVE
Sergei Pavlovich def. Shamil Abdurakhimov via first-round TKO (punches, 4:03)
UFC London 2022 LIVE
Abdurakhimov vs Pavlovich – Round 1
Pavlovich drops Abdurakhimov with a big right straight and follows up with hammer fists as his compatriot shells up!
The referee steps in and waves off the fight!
UFC London 2022 LIVE
Abdurakhimov vs Pavlovich – Round 1
“Woo”s from the crowd during a slow opening stretch.
Abdurakhimov throws a few low kicks and one to the body. He almost catches Pavlovich on the end of a fadeaway hook.
Pavlovich presses forward, the men start brawling! Both land shots in close.
They separate but come together again, with Pavlovich landing hooks off both wings then a knee up the middle!
He’s definitely the faster fighter.
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