The UFC returns to the English capital for the first time in three years this Saturday, as a heavyweight clash between Tom Aspinall and Alexander Volkov headlines UFC London.
The 2020 edition of the event was cancelled on short notice as the Covid-19 pandemic took hold, while no card was staged in London in 2021.
To the delight of British fans and fighters, however, the Octagon will be put together in the O2 Arena once more this weekend, with Liverpool’s Paddy Pimblett among the fan-favourite combatants to step out in front of a packed crowd, while Wigan heavyweight Aspinall faces Russian Volkov – who arrived in the UK this week after fears over how his nation’s invasion of Ukraine could impact his contest.
Also in action will be Ipswich fighter Arnold Allen, who takes on New Zealand’s Dan Hooker in the co-main event, Liverpool’s Molly McCann, Scotland’s Paul Craig, Welshman Jack Shore and many more.
Here’s everything you need to know.
When is it?
UFC London takes place at the O2 Arena on Saturday 19 March.
The prelims are scheduled to begin at 5pm GMT (9am PT, 11am CT, 12pm ET), with the main card following at 8pm GMT (12pm PT, 2pm CT, 3pm ET).
How can I watch it?
The card will air live on BT Sport in the UK, with the broadcaster’s app and website also streaming the fights.
In the US, ESPN+ will stream the action live, as will the UFC’s Fight Pass.
Full card
Main card
Alexander Volkov vs Tom Aspinall (heavyweight)
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)
Prelims
Makwan Amirkhani def. Mike Grundy via first-round submission (anaconda choke, 0:57)
Sergei Pavlovich def. Shamil Abdurakhimov via first-round TKO (punches, 4:03)
Paul Craig def. Nikita Krylov via first-round submission (triangle choke, 3:57)
Jack Shore def. Timur Valiev via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-27)
Elise Reed def. Cory McKenna via split decision (27-20, 29-28, 29-28)
Muhammad Mokaev def. Cody Durden via first-round submission (guillotine choke, 0:58)
Odds
Volkov – 4/5; Aspinall – 20/21.
Allen – 20/21; Hooker – 4/5.
Pimblett – 1/4; Vargas – 11/4.
