Mixed Martial Arts-Scousers grab the limelight as UFC returns to London
LONDON (Reuters) – The UFC returned to London on Saturday but it was two Liverpool fighters who stole the present, as Paddy Pimblett and Molly McCann pulled off good wins to electrify the group at the O2 Arena in the funds for the initially time in a few several years.
McCann blazed forward from the opening bell from Brazil’s Luana Carolina and finished the battle in stunning vogue in the 3rd spherical with a spinning elbow that knocked her opponent out chilly.
Not to be outdone, her near good friend Pimblett bounced back again from staying rocked by an early punch to dominate Mexico’s Kazula Vargas, having his opponent’s back again and sinking in a rear naked choke submission to ship the raucous group into a frenzy.
Still in her fight kit, McCann jumped back again into the cage to rejoice with Pimblett, the pair hopping up on the fence to consider the applause and cheers of the crowd.
“I am never, ever, at any time, ever in a unexciting fight lad, I have to get a punch in the face to get woke up,” the charismatic 27-year-outdated explained in his publish-combat job interview prior to throwing down the gauntlet to the UFC.
“See this arena? Also small, too modest, get me a stadium. Get us to Anfield and we are going to fill it,” Liverpool lover Pimblett bellowed, and judging by the response, several of all those in attendance in London would make the journey to Merseyside.
Possessing not staged an event in London given that March 16, 2019, Saturday’s card was a triumphant return for the UFC, which abruptly cancelled a prepared occasion in March 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic began to sweep all around the planet.
The British fighters excelled on Saturday, with Welshman Jack Shore winning a choice victory and Scot Paul Craig pulling off an additional arrive-from-guiding gain via triangle choke versus Nikita Krylov.
Ipswich-born Arnold Allen arrived out swinging haymakers at New Zealander Dan Hooker in the co-key celebration, ending it with a TKO victory halfway by the first spherical.
With lots of Russian athletes excluded from opposition subsequent their country’s invasion of Ukraine, Alexander Volkov was booed as he took on Tom Aspinall in the heavyweight major event.
His night went from undesirable to even worse as Aspinall opened a minimize on his head early and then secured a straight arm lock on the Russian to end the battle at the 3:45 mark in the initial round.
Presented the performances from the brawling Brits, the UFC is probable to return to the U.K. sooner relatively than later.
(Reporting by Philip O’Connor Editing by Hugh Lawson)
