The UFC returns to London for the second time this year Saturday with UFC Fight Night 224, which takes place at The O2 with a card that streams entirely on ESPN+.
A matchup of ranked heavyweights serves as the main event. After suffering a blown-out knee against Curtis Blaydes last summer, England’s own Tom Aspinall (12-3 MMA, 5-1 UFC) returns to action for another headlining act, this time against Marcin Tybura (24-7 MMA, 11-6 UFC).
For the numbers behind the card, check below for MMA Junkie’s pre-event facts about UFC Fight Night 224.
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Tom Aspinall
Aspinall has earned all 12 of his career victories by stoppage.
Aspinall’s average fight time of 2:30 in UFC heavyweight competition is the second-shortest in divisional history behind Sergei Pavlovich (2:23).
Aspinall lands 7.41 significant strikes per minute in UFC heavyweight competition, the second-highest rate in divisional history behind Pavlovich (8.72).
Marcin Tybura
Tybura’s seven decision victories in UFC heavyweight competition are second-most in divisional history behind Andre Arlovski (12).
Tybura defends 79.4 percent of opponent takedown attempts in UFC heavyweight competition, the best rate among active fighters in the weight class.
Molly McCann
Molly McCann (13-5 MMA, 6-4 UFC) one of two fighters in UFC history with multiple knockout victories stemming from a spinning back elbow. Ricardo Ramos also accomplished the feat.
McCann is one of two fighter in UFC history to land 100 or more significant strikes in three consecutive women’s flyweight fights. Sabina Mazo also accomplished the feat.
McCann’s three knockdowns landed in UFC women’s flyweight competition are tied for third-most in divisional history behind Taila Santos (three) and Ariane Lipski (three).
McCann’s three fight-night bonuses for UFC women’s flyweight bouts are most in divisional history.
Julija Stoliarenko
Julija Stoliarenko’s (10-7-2 MMA, 1-5 UFC), who makes her women’s flyweight debut, becomes the second female in UFC history to compete in three weight class. She’s also competed in the octagon at bantamweight and featherweight. Jessica Andrade also accomplished the feat.
Stoliarenko’s 42-second win marked the second-fastest submission in UFC women’s bantamweight history behind Ronda Rousey’s 14-second stoppage over Cat Zingano at UFC 184 in February 2015.
Nathaniel Wood vs. Andre Fili
Nathaniel Wood (19-5 MMA, 6-2 UFC) is 2-0 since he moved up to the featherweight division in July 2022.
Andre Fili (22-9 MMA, 10-8 UFC) competes in his 20th UFC featherweight bout, the fourth-most appearances in divisional history behind Darren Elkins (25), Max Holloway (25) and Cub Swanson (21).
Fili has earned seven of his 10 UFC victories by decision.
Paul Craig vs. Andre Muniz
Paul Craig (16-6-1 MMA, 8-6-1 UFC) drops to the middleweight for the first time after spending his previous 15 octagon appearances at light heavyweight.
Craig’s six submission victories in UFC light heavyweight competition are second-most in divisional history behind Glover Teixeira (seven).
Craig’s four submission victories by triangle choke are the most in UFC history.
Craig’s victory at 4:59 of Round 3 at UFC Fight Night 127 is the latest submission in a three-round UFC fight.
Andre Muniz (23-5 MMA, 5-1 UFC) absorbs 1.77 significant strikes per minute in UFC middleweight competition, the best rate among active fighters in the weight class.
Davey Grant vs. Daniel Marcos
Davey Grant (14-6 MMA, 6-5 UFC) is one of four fighters in UFC history to earn a submission by inverted triangle choke. Cole Miller, Olivier Aubin-Mercier and Jordan Leavitt also accomplished the feat.
Makhmud Muradov vs. Bryan Barberena
Bryan Barberena (18-10 MMA, 9-8 UFC) moves up to the middleweight division after spending his previous 17 octagon appearances at welterweight and lightweight. He can become the 18th fighter in company history to win in three divisions.
Ketlen Vieira vs. Pannie Kianzad
Ketlen Vieira (13-3 MMA, 7-3 UFC) is 3-3 in her past six fights after starting her career on a 10-fight winning streak.
Vieira’s seven victories in UFC women’s bantamweight competition are tied for third-most in divisional history behind Amanda Nunes (13) and Raquel Pennington (11).
Vieira depends 92.3 percent of opponent takedown attempts in UFC women’s bantamweight competition, the best rate in divisional history.
Pannie Kianzad (16-6 MMA, 5-3 UFC) has earned 12 of her 15 career victories by decision. That includes all five of her UFC wins.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 224.
UFC research analyst and live statistics producer Michael Carroll contributed to this story. Follow him on Twitter @MJCflipdascript.
