Paddy Pimblett and Molly McCann secured emphatic victories at UFC London, with both finishing their opponents in dramatic style. The Liverpool fighters were both on the main card, with McCann becoming the first British woman to fight on a main card in UFC history.
McCann fought first, coming off the back of her impressive win over Ji Yeon Kim last time out, hoping to continue that momentum against Luana Carolina. The London crowd gave her an incredible reception as she made her way to the ring before going on to dominate the first round.
Meatball Molly kept up that pace in the second, before Carolina came back strongly in the third. Then, McCann hit Carolina with a spinning back elbow out of the clinch, knocking her out.
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Around 45 minutes later, Pimblett produced a similar stunning performance. Like his first fight against Luigi Vendramini last year, the Baddy took a big shot to the face, with Vargas going for the take down. However, Pimblett was able to regroup, whilst then excellently executing a Judo hip toss and before using his black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to get in position before locking in a rear naked choke, locking it in tight giving Vargas no choice but to tap.
The two Liverpool stars celebrated in the ring together after McCann watched Pimblett's victory. Backstage, former Everton striker Wayne Rooney was waiting for them after dashing down from Derby County's draw at Coventry.
A huge Everton fan, McCann was embraced by Rooney before the 36-year-old shared a moment with Reds supporter Pimblett.
Rooney congratulated them both, saying "well done" before explaining to the fighters how he had raced to the O2 Arena on Saturday night from his football management duties in the Midlands.
Rooney then said: "I went to the Cro Cop fight years ago (in his loss against Gabriel Gonzaga in Manchester 2007). That was the last time I went to the UFC. But I have seen what you two are doing and thought I needed to come."
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When asked what the walk-outs for both fighters were like, Rooney said: "They were both f****** boss."
UFC president Dana White confirmed to the media that he will bring an event back to the UK later this year, after admitting he had the most fun at an event in years in the capital.
