Ahead of the UFC London for July 2022, get the lowdown on the full card, who the big names are fighting and which bouts to keep an eye on.
The UFC returns to London this weekend for the second time in a few months following the huge success of the event in March. The likes of Tom Aspinall and Paddy ‘The Baddy’ Pimblett return to the O2 Arena this weekend.
Aspinall tops the bill, while Pimblett is one of a host of stars who is fighting on the remainder of the card. This one is not to be missed.
Aspinall v Blaydes
Mancunian fighter Tom Aspinall will take on American Curtis Blaydes in the main event on Saturday after Darren Till pulled out of his scheduled bout with Jack Hermansson.
Aspinall enters the octagon looking to maintain his unbeaten UFC streak, while Blaydes is a daunting prospect indeed. This match is set to take place on Saturday 23 July with coverage beginning on BT Sport at 6 pm in the UK.
Is Blaydes a test for Aspinall?
In March, Aspinall faced his biggest test: Alexander Volkov. The heavyweight star successful submitted Volkov and set up an even bigger test: Curtis Blaydes.
Blaydes has only lost twice in the heavyweight class – against Francis Ngannou and Derrick Lewis – so there is no denying that Aspinall must be at his best to overcome his opponent and extend his UFC win streak to six.
Paddy ‘The Baddy’ Pimblett returns
By far the biggest draw for fans is Paddy ‘The Baddy’ Pimblett. Gaining a loyal following which includes people outside of the sport, Pimblett is a character that the fans adore.
His outlandish attitude and humour have endeared him to spectators, and the public can’t wait to see him in action again this weekend.
He, like Aspinall, is unbeaten in the UFC to date. Pimblett takes on Jordan Leavitt in a lightweight fight and will be looking to win his third successive UFC bout.
Can Pimblett overcome Leavitt?
American fighter Jordan Leavitt has a strong record that makes him an intimidating prospect for his Scouse counterpart.
Leavitt has lost only once throughout his MMA career, winning 10 of 11 fights. His last UFC fight was a split decision win over Trey Ogden, and he will enter the octagon on Saturday brimming with confidence.
Pimblett has fought only twice in the UFC, defeating Luigi Vendramini on his debut before submitting Rodrigo Vargas at UFC London in March.
The fact that both Leavitt and Pimblett are used to winning makes this fight all the more enticing.
The Full Card
Prelims
Claudio Silva vs Nicolas Dalby – Welterweight
Mandy Bohm vs Victoria Leonardo – Women’s Flyweight
Jai Herbert vs Kyle Nelson – Lightweight
Muhammed Mokaev vs Charles Johnson – Flyweight
Makwan Amirkhani vs Jonathan Pearce – Featherweight
Nathaniel Wood vs Charles Rosa – Featherweight
Marc Diakiese vs Damir Hadzovic – Lightweight
Main Card
Paul Craig vs Volkan Oezdemir – Light Heavyweight
Molly McCann vs Hannah Goldy – Women’s Flyweight
Nikita Krylov vs Alexander Gustafsson – Light Heavyweight
Paddy Pimblett vs Jordan Leavitt – Lightweight
Jack Hermansson vs Chris Curtis – Middleweight
Curtis Blaydes vs Tom Aspinall – Heavyweight (Main Event)
Featured image credit: Getty
