UFC London results: Paddy Pimblett and Tom Aspinall star on monumental night for UK MMA

There must have been something in the air at the O2 Arena on Saturday night, where UFC London marked perhaps the most significant night in the history of UK mixed martial arts.

Of the 12 bouts scheduled for the first edition of the event since 2019, 10 featured British fighters. Seven of those combatants were victorious in the English capital, with six winning via stoppage. Five of those finishes came in the first round, while the other was an early contender for knockout of the year.

In the main event on Saturday, Wigan heavyweight Tom Aspinall made a mockery of Alexander Volkov’s vast advantages in experience and height, submitting the Russian with a straight arm lock in the first round after exhibiting sharp skills in striking exchanges, too.

The result marked Aspinall’s eighth straight win and eighth straight finish, keeping him unbeaten in the UFC and on course to fulfil predictions that he is a champion in waiting.

Aspinall’s victory followed a co-main event that many had predicted would be fight of the night, and indeed the featherweight clash between Arnold Allen and Dan Hooker delivered in the brief period that it lasted.

Ipswich fighter Allen announced himself to the world by securing a TKO victory over fan favourite Dan Hooker in the first round, forcing the referee to step in by melting the New Zealander with a fierce flurry of punches against the fence. Prior to the finish, Arnold had dealt significant damage to Hooker – who was returning to 145lbs from lightweight – but also survived an apparent moment of trouble caused by a stiff punch from the “Hangman”. Allen somehow got right back to throwing punches, however, and a one-two gave way to a head kick that initiated the finishing sequence.

Allen’s win