Underdogs emerged victorious on a topsy-turvy night of UFC action at the O2 Arena. Two fights were cancelled during fight week, with Jack Marshman’s bout with Brad Scott halted due to weight cut concerns, whilst Nad Narimani’s debut was halted just moments before the show begun, with his opponent Nasrat Haqparast not medically cleared due to conjunctivitis.
Despite the fight card leaving fans disappointed with the absence of British stars Michael Bisping and Darren Till, the card didn’t disappoint with some unexpected results as well as some stunning performances.
Let’s take a look through the moments that shaped UFC London!
Russia’s latest contender emerges in Alexander ‘Drago’ Volkov
When you consider that Fabricio Werdum has only lost to four individuals in Stipe Miocic, Alistair Overeem, Junior dos Santos and Andrei Arlovski – all of whom could be considered as some of the best heavyweights in the sport, it makes this victory look even greater for Volkov.
For the opening two rounds, Werdum controlled the fight utilising his feared ground game, but after surviving the early onslaught, Volkov started to capitalise on his tiring Brazilian opponent. After the third round seemingly marked a turn in proceedings, Volkov ended the main event in the fourth round after repeated right hands followed by a swarm of strikes, forcing Marc Goddard to stop the contest.
Volkov moves to 4-0 in the UFC, whilst questions over Werdum’s future have been raised. Is the Russian next in line for a crack at the winner of Stipe Miocic and Daniel Cormier?
Jan Blachowicz and Jimi Manuwa engage in an unexpected war!
I questioned the point of this rematch happening, after the initial affair was such a drab one… but could I be more wrong!?
The Pole’s jab was to prove decisive, with his counter combination in the opening round sending the Brit crashing to the canvas. Manuwa survived and continued to show his metal by continuing to throw with Blachowicz.
The second round was just as wild, with both men throwing at will. Blachowicz’s volume was considerably higher, but Manuwa’s power continued to threaten. In truth, I have no idea how either man was standing come the end of the third.
More words can’t justify this fight. I suggest you go and watch it now! Whilst Blachowicz took the decision victory home, both men shown incredible durability and will to last the distance, rightfully earning the $50k fight of the night bonus.
Leon Edwards continues to impress at 170-pounds
Opening the main card, Leon Edwards earned a last second stoppage victory over German Peter Sobotta to earn his fifth straight victory in the octagon.
After a back-and-forth battle, the Birmingham man managed to follow up some bloodying elbows with some vicious strikes from the German’s back forcing the referee to call a stop to the contest with just one second left on the clock.
Edwards ended his evening by calling out fellow British welterweight Darren Till in Liverpool. Till didn’t seem to be too welcoming to the idea, but with Edwards on a five fight winning streak, he’ll become hard to ignore with another win or two!
Danny Henry halts the Hakeem hype train!
Edinburgh’s Danny Henry has no problem being the underdog, after outpointing Daniel Teymur in a war at UFC Glasgow last year. Hakeem Dawodu was said to be a top prospect, unbeaten after a series of top performances in the WSOF banner.
Dropping to featherweight proved easy for Henry, and his performance was superb on the night. A relentless start saw Henry drop Dawodu with a big right hand after just twenty seconds, immediately threatening with a guillotine.
The choke itself proved tricky, with Henry having to modify it multiple times, before changed his angles by standing and getting some incredible purchase and sending his Canadian opponent to sleep, forcing the referee to intervene.
That’s two out of two for Henry! A slot at UFC Liverpool could be perfect, in just ten weeks time!
Paul Craig produces the most ridiculous comeback!
Speaking of Scottish underdogs, Paul Craig had the largest task to overcome on the night. With his UFC career leading down to just fifteen minutes to save it, it looked as though the Coatbridge man could sadly be looking for a new home.
After a relatively close first round, unbeaten Russian Magomed Ankalaev began to turn up the heat in the second round, before dominating the third totally, with Craig landing just a single strike in those final moments.
However, with just seconds left… the submission specialist locked up a beautiful triangle choke, with Ankalaev tapping with milliseconds left on the clock. The arena erupted, and so did Craig’s teammate Chris Bungard, who vaulted into the octagon to congratulate his pal!
From on the brink of leaving the promotion, to leaving the arena with a $50k bonus cheque for his performance… you couldn’t be happier for Paul Craig.
The octagon heads to Brooklyn in three weeks time for UFC 223, featuring the hotly anticipated lightweight championship match up between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson.
Oh, and there’s also a rematch between Rose Namajunas and Joanna Jedrzejczyk for the women’s strawweight crown.
CANNOT WAIT!
