UFC London LIVE: Updates and results as Leon Edwards fights Sean Brady in must-win main event

UFC London LIVE

• Leon Edwards faces Sean Brady in must-win welterweight main event
• ‘JDM’ challenges Belal Muhammad in May; Edwards or Brady could face winner
• Tonight’s co-main event pits Jan Blachowicz against Carlos Ulberg at 205lb
• Molly McCann RETIRES after suffering defeat to Alexia Thainara
• Nathaniel Wood picks up dominant decision in main card opener

UFC London LIVE: Leon Edwards vs Sean Brady

Round two

Brady doesn’t take so long to shoot for the double-leg this time and gets Edwards to the ground within the first 10 seconds.

He has the back in a body triangle and he isn’t letting go anytime soon. Shots from behind the head come.

With two minutes to, Leon makes his attempt at an escape but is trapped as Brady takes butterfly guard. He continues to rain in strikes as the round enters its close.

After a bright start, it’s these rounds Leon has to avoid.

UFC London LIVE: Leon Edwards vs Sean Brady

Round one

WE ARE UNDERWAY! No glove-touch, this feels like bad blood.

Early pressure from Leon as he clips with a left under the chin. Edwards gets into the clinch where he can be dangerous - but as they separate, Brady lands a nice one-two combo.

Edwards comes back with a few punches of his own before Brady gets Rocky against the cage. After getting away from the fence, Brady lands his first takedown of the night. Only 20 seconds to do anything with it though as the first ends on the mat

Leon Edwards opponent Sean Brady makes vicious threat ahead of UFC London clash

Sean Brady has vowed to viciously punish Leon Edwards for focusing more on a future title shot than the challenge at hand ahead of UFC London.

Brady takes on the former welterweight champion at the O2 Arena on Saturday, a bout the American signed on late notice after Edwards’s opponent Jack Della Maddalena was fast-tracked to a title shot.

Nevertheless, the BJJ specialist comes into the fight as the favourite and will look to pick the same holes in Edwards’s game as were exposed by Belal Muhammad last summer, when he dethroned the Birmingham native.

Leon Edwards opponent Sean Brady makes vicious threat ahead of UFC London clash

Main event time!

It’s time for your UFC London headliner, folks!

Leon Edwards returns to the cage for the first time since losing his welterweight title to Belal Muhammad last summer as he takes on BJJ specialist Sean Brady.

This could be make or break for Edwards if he ever wants to fight for gold again.

Edwards likes it in London and will hope the partisan crowd can will him back towards number one contendership.

This is going to have MASSIVE ramifications on welterweight. Don’t go anywhere.

UFC London LIVE: Jan Blachowicz vs Carlos Ulberg

Round three

Early leg kick from Blachowicz gets a notable reaction from Ulberg. That clearly hurt.

He responds with a one-two that knocks Blachowicz’s head towards the fence as the ex-champ momentarily goes on the retreat.

Then it turns back-and-forth as Ulberg’s spit-spraying hook is met with another heavy shot by the Pole. Blachowicz then connects with a strong overhand and a vicious body kick to go into the final minute on the offensive.

He lands a really nice high-kick on the nose of Ulberg, maybe doesn’t get all of it. Blachowicz then enjoys a final flurry after the slapper sounds, connecting with two big shots but they’re again eaten up by Ulberg.

No knockout, but a fun fight nonetheless. We go to a decision...

Carlos Ulberg def. Jan Blachowicz via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Not sure about that result - and the crowd aren’t particularly happy about it either. Very close fight. If nothing else, Blachowicz has proved he isn’t a goner just yet, even at 42.

UFC London LIVE: Jan Blachowicz vs Carlos Ulberg

Round two

Ulberg and Blachowicz exchange a friendly cross-cage exchange before the second gets underway. Always nice to see.

Ulberg goes back to working the legs before Blachowicz charges at him, missing and hitting the fence. Blachowicz then fakes the head kick and lands a nice left hook.

Jan’s high leg kick then clips Ulberg’s cup - no over-reaction, he takes a second and we’re back in the action.

They largely keep their distance for the remainder of the round, clipping with shots here and there. They trade right hooks as the slapper sounds, and we’re going to a third.

UFC London LIVE: Jan Blachowicz vs Carlos Ulberg

Round one

This feels like it could be special. Very Blachowicz-partisan crowd, just for the record.

Both men test the waters early doors as Ulberg connects with a nice body kick. He keeps going for the low kicks, some checked, some not - before clipping Blachowicz with a nice right.

Blachowicz responds with a headkick that lands nicely on the temple, eaten by Ulberg. The Kiwi then swings for the fences but the Pole evades the attack well. He returns fire by chopping the wood as the round comes to a close.

UFC London LIVE: Jan Blachowicz vs Carlos Ulberg

It’s time for your co-main event.

Former light heavyweight champ Jan Blachowicz returns to the cage after a two-year absence, taking on rising star Carlos Ulberg.

This has Fight of the Night potential, no doubt. Set the stage for the headliners, steal the show.

Tom Aspinall gets the cheer of the night

No surprise that when, at long last, Tom Aspinall appeared on the big screen, he was getting all the love.

Stay tuned for Dana White’s press conference later, where the topic of his fight with Jon Jones will surely come up.

Kevin Holland: "Next week works"

Kevin Holland has just said he’d happily fight again next week after going to a three-round war with Gunnar Nelson.

That man’s work ethic is just relentless!

UFC London LIVE: Gunnar Nelson vs Kevin Holland

Round three

Both fighters go punch-for-punch for the first minute as they get up close and personal, before Nelson lands another takedown.

Once again, Holland threatens with the flailing legs - but Nelson neutralises his attacks with two hammer-fists from high up before taking the back.

Here, he locks in a TIGHT choke and it looks like Holland is going to go to sleep rather than tap - but the American manages to somehow escape and stays alive in the fight!

Back on the feet, Holland goes for a flying knee before connecting with a hard body shot with seconds to go, so still that it sent him stumbling back rather than his opponent. A very entertaining fight, that. We go to the judges.

Kevin Holland def. Gunnar Nelson via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Absolute belter. Holland always delivers when it comes to the entertainment factor.

UFC London LIVE: Gunnar Nelson vs Kevin Holland

Round two

Holland stays on the offensive to start the round but Nelson grows into it, off the back of a much-needed session on the stool.

Gunnar goes for the takedown but it’s brilliantly defended by Holland up against the cage. Nelson’s second attempt, however, is more successful.

Nelson takes control on top as the crowd perform the trademark Icelandic clap. He then gets back to his feet and nearly gets caught with Holland’s flailing legs from the mat. The round ends back on the ground.

UFC London LIVE: Gunnar Nelson vs Kevin Holland

Round one

Holland starts brightly and lands a flurry of body shots before turning focus to the head.

He then shoots for the takedown and looks for an armbar submission. Up against the cage, he grapples with Nelson before the Icelandic fighter manages to get to his feet - with Holland basically hanging off him. Both fighters laugh before Holland lets go.

The slapper sounds for 10 seconds left and BANG! Holland knocks Nelson down with a massive shot and is whaling on him with seconds to go. Nelson is just about saved by the buzzer and stumbles back to his corner after Holland is dragged off him.

That. Was. Close.

UFC London LIVE: Gunnar Nelson vs Kevin Holland

Right, as we shake off that bombshell, we’ve got more action on the way.

Kevin Holland and Gunnar Nelson are about to throw down in an exciting welterweight matchup.

It feels like Holland only fought yesterday, coming into this fight off defeat to Reinier de Ridder. Gunnar, meanwhile, hasn’t been in the Octagon since March 2023’s London event.

BREAKING: Molly McCann RETIRES from MMA

Molly McCann has put her gloves to the mat and signalled her retirement from MMA.

A fighter with so much heart and desire - and an ability to captivate an audience. She’ll be a big miss in the UK scene.

Wow. What a bombshell.

After her loss at #UFCLondon, Molly McCann called it a career.

Thank you for everything @MeatballMolly! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/huwHKAR6YE

— UFC (@ufc) March 22, 2025

BREAKING: Molly McCann has RETIRED from MMA after suffering defeat to Alexia Thainara.

A fighter with incredible heart and desire, as well as an ability to captivate an audience. She’ll be missed from the UK scene. #UFCLondonpic.twitter.com/Ir6vr8I5qZ

— Will Castle (@willcastlesport) March 22, 2025

UFC London LIVE: Molly McCann vs Alexia Thainara

Round one

Molly looks proper up for this. We get underway.

Both find their range early on before trading left and right hooks in close quarters. Thainara then gets the takedown - and up against a submission expert, this is dangerous for McCann.

Thainara has full mount and is trying to chip away at McCann with ground and pound. Up against the cage, she looks for the chin - and after initially scrambling, McCann loses her back.

Thainara goes to lock in a rear-naked choke. Her first attempt looks sunk in, but McCann does just enough to momentarily loosen the hold and escape. Operative word being momentarily there, as Thainara gets the RNC yet again and this time gets the tap.

Alexia Thainara def. Molly McCann via first-round submission (rear naked choke, 4:32)

For a brief second, it looked like she’d survived that submission attack brilliantly. But Thainara was relentless.

UFC London LIVE: Molly McCann vs Alexia Thainara

Time for ‘Meatball’ Molly!

Molly McCann takes on Brazilian prospect Alexia Thainara as she looks to get back in the win column.

It was a late change of opponent for Molly, who was meant to fight Istela Nunes before she pulled out on Thursday. At the 11th hour, Thainara stepped in and makes her UFC debut.

Expecting an explosion of noise in here as she makes her ringwalk.

Underdog once more, Leon Edwards has a secret weapon at UFC London

Leon Edwards is back in the role he’s become all too familiar with in the UFC.

“Rocky” returns to home turf as the headline attraction for UFC London this weekend, hoping to bounce back from welterweight title despair last summer. Taking on Sean Brady after original opponent Jack Della Maddalena was fast-tracked to a championship bout, Edwards desperately needs his arm raised by Saturday’s end.

Yet despite having only just lost his belt, Edwards is once again out of favour with the bookies. Against a man who took the fight on short notice, Edwards is tipped at 5/4 to claim victory, while American grappler Brady is 8/13. This isn’t a new occurrence for the British-Jamaican, who has spent his career disproving critics who claim he’s already shot as high as he can.

The Independent’s preview ahead of Leon Edwards vs Sean Brady:

Underdog once more, Leon Edwards has a secret weapon at UFC London

UFC London LIVE: Jordan Vucenic vs Chris Duncan

Round two

Duncan gets Vucenic to the ground early but as they grapple, Vucenic rolls through and looks to lock in a guillotine. He might’ve had it for a second but Duncan escapes.

Vucenic doesn’t quite go on the front foot but is sharp on the counter, hurting Duncan with a left as he came in hot and heavy. Duncan is now bleeding on the right of his temple.

The Scot responds by landing four or five BIG shots of his own! Vucenic tries to go for the takedown to escape against the cage but Duncan sinks in the guillotine and drags him to the mat, forcing the tap!

Chris Duncan def. Jordan Vucenic via second-round submission (guillotine, 3:42)

UFC London LIVE: Jordan Vucenic vs Chris Duncan

Round one

Duncan in the black, Vucenic in the white. If you need further help distinguishing the two, Vucenic is the fighter covered head-to-toe in ink.

The Scotsman bursts out the blocks and fires a vicious body kick to headshot combination that knocks Vucenic to the mat! Duncan pounces but Vucenic survives the attempts to finish the fight.

The pair stay on the mat before Duncan picks up his opponent and DUMPS him on his head, keeping control for the remainder of the round.

UFC London LIVE: Jordan Vucenic vs Chris Duncan

An all-British lightweight bout up next as Scotland’s Chris Duncan takes on former Cage Warriors champion Jordan Vucenic.

Vucenic will look to bag his first win in his second UFC fight, having lost his debut against Guram Kutateladze after taking the fight on short notice.

Duncan, meanwhile, will look to put together his second win streak in the promotion as he eyes a place in the top 15.

Leon Edwards is in the building!

Leon Edwards was just shown walking into the O2 on the big screen ahead of his must-win main event against Sean Brady later tonight - and to some ovation!

His first fight back from losing his title last summer, he’s got the love of the crowd!

Nathaniel Wood: 'The Prospect' for not much longer

Nathaniel Wood has revealed he won’t be ‘The Prospect’ for much longer as he confirms a new nickname will be coming for his next fight.

He also dedicated that win to his baby daughter and to those suffering with mental health struggles.

Top fighter, top man.

OFF TO A FAST START 😤@TheProspectMMA drops Charriere early! #UFCLondonpic.twitter.com/QKd5gPww3X

— UFC (@ufc) March 22, 2025

UFC London LIVE: Nathaniel Wood vs Morgan Charriere

Round three

Fans show their appreciation for the two fighters as the final round kicks off.

Charriere with the early head-kick, nicely blocked by Wood. Feels like they may be tiring just a bit, both are wary not to step into a position where they could be finished.

Another strong left clips Charriere followed up by a jab but he eats it well. The pair trade hooks as we near the final minute. Time for a show-stopping finish?

One-two combo snaps back Charriere’s head, his chin holds up. The Frenchman then goes for a spinning back-fist but misses. Ten-second slapper sounds and it’s a final flurry from both, firing on each other against the cage but no dramatic KO here. Great fight, to a decision we go.

Nathaniel Wood def. Morgan Charriere via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Wood picks up a dominant decision, right on his back yard!

UFC London LIVE: Nathaniel Wood vs Morgan Charriere

Round two

Wood starts the second well and rocks Charriere twice early on, but the Frenchman stays on his feet. He then starts chopping the wood before landing a nice jab square on.

They trade sharp hooks in the centre of the Octagon before Charriere manages to get the fight to the mat. Wood does well and doesn’t let his opponent take control. The horn sounds with it back on the feet.

UFC London LIVE: Nathaniel Wood vs Morgan Charriere

Round one

Prepare for fireworks.

Early leg kick to left hook combo lands early from The Prospect. Then BAM! A BIG right from Wood lands flush on the nose and knocks Charriere down!

He pounces to get the finish with the ground and pound but Charriere avoids the barrage well. He then looks to sink in a guillotine, doesn’t quite get the neck.

Charriere has top position but it’s Wood who’s looking the more threatening as he tries to scramble for a submission. The Frenchman survives the round, just about.

Paddy 'The Baddy' in prime position

Paddy Pimblett is in prime position to cheer on his Next Gen teammate Molly McCann tonight.

Fellow teammate Nathan Fletcher just missed out on victory in the prelims - can McCann give Liverpool something to cheer about?

UFC London LIVE: Main card is here!

Prelims are done and dusted, now time for the main card!

We’ve got a stacked lineup ahead of Leon Edwards’s must-win main event against Sean Brady, in his first fight back from losing the welterweight title.

We’ve got former lightweight champ Jan Blachowicz and scouse sensation Molly McCann ahead of that - but now, get ready for a potential fight of the night as London’s own Nathaniel Wood squares off against France’s Morgan Charriere.

Stay tuned!

UFC London LIVE: Jai Herbert vs Chris Padilla

Round three

Frontkick from Herbert just misses the chin of Padilla before showing off strong takedown defence. It ends up near the fence again but the Brit gets away quicker this time.

Herbert connects with a sharp combination but it isn’t long before Padilla is once again pushing his opponent against the fence. They again trade knees in the clinch into the sternum.

Final minute and finally, the heat gets turned up just a bit. Padilla is badly cut and Herbert pounces, landing a one-two before Padilla responds with a heavy shot of his own. Herbert is slightly rocked but recovers to see out the fight. Boos rain in.

Chris Padilla def. Jai Herbert via split decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)

Bit of a surprise result - but if we’re honest, neither fighter won that fight. That victory won’t do much for Padilla’s stock.

UFC London LIVE: Jai Herbert vs Chris Padilla

Round one

Quiet first round as both fighters try to find their range. They both trade heavy leg kicks just as we head into the last minute.

Padilla then goes for the takedown after evading a hook but gets it up the fence, where the round ends. Faint ‘boring’ chants are heard - they’ll get louder if it continues like that.

Round two

More of the same - and by that I mean very little. Herbert tries to go for a takedown and briefly gets Padilla to the mat, but the American quickly gets up.

A bit more action-packed - loose use of that term - in the final minute as Herbert connects with a punch. But Padilla responds by getting him against the cage and the pair trade knees in the clinch.

Not the featured prelim firecracker we were hoping for.

UFC London LIVE: Jai Herbert vs Chris Padilla

To our featured prelim of the night!

Black Country boy Jai Herbert takes on American star Chris Padilla as he looks to bag back-to-back wins in the UFC.

The former scaffolder has taken on his fair share of top fighters, with bouts against Renato Moicano and former featherweight champ Ilia Topuria under his belt.

Let’s see if he can rise his stock even further in front of a home crowd.

UFC London LIVE: Lone’er Kavanagh vs Felipe dos Santos

Round three

Nice head kick form Lone’er but Dos Santos comes back with a clipped one-two. He’s then successful with another takedown.

The pair grapple and Dos Santos tries to get around his neck - but Kavanagh picks him up and drops him again before getting partly out of danger. He’s too slick.

One last attempted takedown to end the round, partially got. We go to the judges.

Lone’er Kavanagh def. Felipe dos Santos via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

The hometown boy gets it done!

UFC London LIVE: Lone’er Kavanagh vs Felipe dos Santos

Round two

The pair trade sharp leg kicks before Kavanagh swipes Dos Santos to the mat. The Brazilian is quickly back up but is up against the fence, sparking the opportunity for both to rain in on each other.

Both land with heavy overhands but Dos Santos looks to get rocked as he dives in for the takedown. He succeeds eventually and tries to lock in a leg submission.

Kavanagh then returns with a lovely takedown of his own and is now covered in his own crimson. As he tries to get mount he fires in a vicious elbow onto his opponent before more ground and pound ensues. It ends on the ground as Dos Santos survives.

UFC London LIVE: Lone’er Kavanagh vs Felipe dos Santos

Round one

Kavanagh gets things started with a sharp low-kick but is soon on the defensive as he eats a heavy right from Dos Santos.

The pair go back and forth before getting tied up against the fence. Kavanagh looks like he’s got a cut on his right temple and is spreading his crimson all over Dos Santos.

It gets past the first.

UFC London LIVE: Lone’er Kavanagh vs Felipe dos Santos

Another three-rounder means we’re straight into our next bout as fast-rising British prospect Lone’er Kavanagh takes on Felipe dos Santos in his UFC debut.

Kavanagh earned a contract after stunning Dana White with a spectacular knockout in the Contender Series.

He’s a highlight-reel fighter and we should be in for a treat here.

UFC London LIVE: Marcin Tybura vs Mick Parkin

Round three

Early wobble from Parkin but he evades a flailing hook and counters with a body shot. Parkin might be the home favourite but there’s a strong Tybura following in here too.

Both men are knackered but are still searching for that decisive blow. For a second it looked like Parkin found that as he snapped Tybura’s head back, but the Pole returned fire with a flurry of strikes of his own, which Parkin evaded the brunt of well.

They’re up against the fence with 20 to go and it doesn’t look like we’re getting a big finish - until a one-legged Parkin uses his position to rain in shots to the heads before the pair throw down in the final second. It does, in fact, go the distance...

Marcin Tybura def. Mick Parkin via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Tybura gets one back on the Aspinall gym.

UFC London LIVE: Marcin Tybura vs Mick Parkin

Round two

Tybura finds his distance and connects with a jab but Parkin responds with a sweep that gets his man to the ground.

Parkin then gets half mount and is WHALING on Tybura with hammer-fists, with the Parkin-partisan crowd urging him to finish it.

He needs to be careful though - and after Tybura survives the attack, he nearly is able to catch an ankle lock. Parkin escapes and it returns to the feet.

Another takedown lands from Parkin with a minute to go. He keeps control for the remainder of the second. A final round is required.

UFC London LIVE: Marcin Tybura vs Mick Parkin

Round one

This doesn’t have the feel of going the distance. Tybura starts on the front foot and tries clapping Parkin between two fists. Parkin responds with by clipping Tybura with a couple of his own.

Big left lands from Tybura but Parkin is connecting with the body shots. The Brit then holds off the takedown attempt and gets Tybura against the fence.

The round ends with a last-gasp takedown from Tybura which might have won him the first.

UFC London LIVE: Marcin Tybura vs Mick Parkin

Straight into the next one as Tom Aspinall’s teammate Mick Parkin takes on Polish hard-hitter Marcin Tybura at heavyweight.

Aspinall of course made light work of Tybura on his way to interim gold. Will Mick be able to follow suit?

UFC London LIVE: Christian Leroy Duncan vs Andrey Pulyaev

Round three

Pulyaev enjoys more success securing the clinch than he did in the last round and has CLD contained up against the fence after two minutes.

An uppercut lands from CLD in close quarters as he tries to break free. Two jumping knees then cause a brief separation before Pulyaev is back with the bear hug.

Then as the slapper sounds, CLD has his man covering up as he lands a flurry of sharp strikes to end the bout on a high. That should be enough if the judges needed more convincing.

Christian Leroy Duncan def. Andrey Pulyaev via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)

In fact, it was never in doubt.

UFC London LIVE: Christian Leroy Duncan vs Andrey Pulyaev

Round two

CLD once again starts the stronger and fires a shot that sprays Pulyaev’s sweat into the air. Pulyaev gets hold of the Brit again but CLD is able to get out of the predicament much faster than he did in the first.

Duncan is keeping it away from the fence and then ROCKS Pulyaev with a spinning back-fist to right hook combo. The Gloucester boy is picking up steam and finishes the second with a flurry, but it goes to a final round.

UFC London LIVE: Christian Leroy Duncan vs Andrey Pulyaev

Round one

Pulyaev keeping his distance as CLD starts on the offensive. The Brit then closes the gap and pummels Pulyaev up against the fence, going for a jumping knee.

The pair then get into the clinch and don’t separate as Pulyaev looks to wear CLD down. The home favourite isn’t getting much luck getting out of this, but is helped by referee Jason Herzog who orders a separation with a minute to go.

CLD finishes the round in pursuit of his opponent but nothing major lands.

UFC London LIVE: Shauna Bannon vs Puja Tomar

Bannon wants the bonus. No doubt she’s an early contender!

Next up: it’s Christian Leroy Duncan against Andrey Pulyaev.

COMEBACK COMPLETE 🤯@ShaunaBannon5 gets the armbar submission at #UFCLondon! pic.twitter.com/yvClc3NCAq

— UFC (@ufc) March 22, 2025

UFC London LIVE: Shauna Bannon vs Puja Tomar

Round two

Bannon starts brightly and chases Tomar down, looking for a knockout blow. Tomar evades successfully.

Then BANG! Tomar connects with a MASSIVE hook and flattens Bannon. The Irish fighter survives the ground and pound and then turns attacker, using her grappling acumen to look for the submission.

She then locks in the armbar and gets the TAP! An incredible turnaround in the blink of an eye.

Shauna Bannon def. Puja Tomar via second-round submission (armbar, 3:32)

From the brink of elimination, Bannon has pulled out an astounding victory. Some powers of recovery!

UFC London LIVE: Shauna Bannon vs Puja Tomar

Round one

Bannon goes in early with the obliques before getting Tomar against the fence. The Indian star responds with an explosion of punches and lands with a clean head-kick.

It goes a bit quiet for a couple minutes - but after a brief stoppage the two come out flying and Bannon looks to be rocked by an overhand. The pair end the first five on a good note.

UFC London LIVE: Shauna Bannon vs Puja Tomar

Bruce Buffer introducing the fighters. We’ve got a very strong turnout here for so early in the prelims.

London never lets down.

UFC London LIVE: Shauna Bannon vs Puja Tomar

To the strawweights as Shauna Bannon takes on Puja Tomar.

Tomar is on a five-fight win streak in MMA and poses a tough test for Ireland’s Bannon, who comes into this off the back of her first UFC win.

Walkouts underway.

UFC London LIVE: Nathan Fletcher vs Caolan Loughran

Round three

Right hook and a one-two connect from Loughran before landing an early takedown. Fletcher flips out of it though and tries to take the chin. Nearly, but no luck.

Then Loughran has the back and its his turn to go for an rear-naked. Fletcher does well to move his right leg back and gets Loughran’s position off kilter. The Irishman falls off, but keeps Fletcher against the fence.

Then CHAOS breaks out in the clinch. Both start whaling on each other to finish the fight in style, with both getting rocked. We don’t get a Gaethje vs Holloway style finish, though, and we go to a decision.

Caolan Loughran def. Nathan Fletcher via split decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)

Not a warm reaction to that result from the crowd. Very tight call, but in no way a robbery.

UFC London LIVE: Nathan Fletcher vs Caolan Loughran

Round two

This time it’s Fletcher who goes for the takedown. He gets Loughran against the fence as his coaches scream for him to knee him in the head. Fletcher obliges and gets the back.

There, he lands a constant stream of short-range punches to the Irishman’s skull, chipping away at his opponent. These get heavier and heavier before he goes to lock in an RNC - doesn’t quite get under the chin and Loughran finally escapes.

The pair finish the round on the feet, but not before Fletcher dodges a takedown and lands with a nice knee - few inches higher and he would’ve caught him head-on flush.

UFC London LIVE: Nathan Fletcher vs Caolan Loughran

Round one

First decent shot of the fight goes Loughran’s way as he connects with an overhand right, but Fletcher responds with a two-one of his own. The scouser then goes on the offensive but gets caught up against the cage, with Loughran landing the takedown.

After time against the fence, the fight returns to the feet where Fletcher lands some reaction-evoking headshots. Loughran wants this on the ground and gets Fletcher to the mat, but his creative takedown leads to Fletcher taking mount, who ends the round by landing a flurry of ground strikes.

UFC London LIVE: Nathan Fletcher vs Caolan Loughran

Next up, it’s Liverpool’s own Nathan Fletcher against Irish fighter Caolan Loughran.

The pair have already faced off outside of the UFC, with Next Gen’s Fletcher getting the win in that one. Loughran will be looking to level the score tonight.

Paddy ‘The Baddy’ Pimblett will have Fletcher’s back in what is the first of two fights for Next Gen - who himself has his own beef with Loughran.

UFC London LIVE: Guram Kutateladze vs Kaue Fernandes

Round three

Guram is on the front foot and is taking his momentum into the third. He’s landing with kicks but needs to be careful of going too heavy as Fernandes is having joys with the counters.

The pair throw down against the fence before Guram appears to just rock Fernandes with a right. Fernandes responds with another heavy leg kick and Guram doesn’t like that - he goes to ground and invites him to grapple.

The pair finish the fight against the fence. We go to the judges...

Kaum Fernandes def. Guram Kutateladze via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Some way to start the night. Long may that sort of action continue!

UFC London LIVE: Guram Kutateladze vs Kaue Fernandes

Round two

Fernandes with maybe a 10-8 round to start things off here, and he continues with a similar vengeance in the second.

One HEAVY leg-kick and Guram is down again. He’s taking serious punishment, but Fernandes can’t finish with the ground and pound.

Guram is bleeding and is being chopped apart by kicks - another body echoes. However, he’s beginning to respond. A couple nice hooks connect before an elbow in the clinch gets a reaction from the crowd.

Guram continues on the offensive but Fernandes thwarts his push with a successful takedown. The Georgian wants this on the ground, however.

They end the round on the feet. Guram has managed to recover a bit here, given he looked down and out four minutes ago.

UFC London LIVE: Guram Kutateladze vs Kaue Fernandes

Round one

UFC London is officially underway.

Fernandes keeping his distance but slices Guram with a sharp leg-kick. Body kick and low kick then connect as Guram finally responds with a punch of his own.

Then BAM! A fierce one-two from Fernandes lands and Guram reacts by shooting for a takedown as he tries to stay alive. He doesn’t get Fernandes to the ground and moments later, he’s knocked down by a headkick!

Guram holds up but continues taking punishment - those liver kicks are echoing around the arena.

Then late on, another BELTER hook knocks Guram down again, but he’s quick to his feet. The Georgian survives.

UFC London LIVE: Guram Kutateladze vs Kaue Fernandes

Good evening and welcome to UFC London!

We’re about to get the prelims underway as Georgian veteran Guram Kutateladze takes on Brazilian star Kaue Fernandes.

Kutateladze was once a highly-touted prospect but injuries and illness derailed his momentum, similarly to Khamzat Chimaev.

We’ve got one stacked card lined up, so don’t go anywhere.

UFC London LIVE: Exclusive interview with Tom Aspinall

Ahead of UFC London, we conducted an exclusive interview with interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall – Britain’s standout MMA star right now.

He discussed how he plans to take MMA mainstream on home soil – with fear, humility, and maybe without Jon Jones...

Read here:

Tom Aspinall wants to make MMA as big as boxing – and he’s just the man to do it

UFC London LIVE: Ian Machado Garry reacts to title-picture chaos

Going back to the title picture for a second...

Ian Machado Garry believes he should have been chosen to challenge Muhammad in May, in place of Della Maddalena.

Here’s what the “livid” Irishman had to say:

Ian Machado Garry ‘livid’ after being overlooked for UFC title shot

UFC London LIVE: Fight card in full

Main card

Leon Edwards vs Sean Brady (welterweight)

Jan Blachowicz vs Carlos Ulberg (light-heavyweight)

Gunnar Nelson vs Kevin Holland (welterweight)

Molly McCann vs Alexia Thainara (women’s strawweight)

Jordan Vucenic vs Chris Duncan (lightweight)

Nathaniel Wood vs Morgan Charriere (featherweight)

Prelims

Jai Herbert vs Chris Padilla (lightweight)

Lone’er Kavanagh vs Felipe dos Santos (flyweight)

Marcin Tybura vs Mick Parkin (heavyweight)

Christian Leroy Duncan vs Andrey Pulyaev (middleweight)

Shauna Bannon vs Puja Tomar (women’s strawweight)

Nathan Fletcher vs Caolan Loughran (bantamweight)

Guram Kutateladze vs Kaue Fernandes (lightweight)

UFC London LIVE: How to watch tonight's fights

The card will air live on TNT Sports in the UK, with the broadcaster’s app and website also streaming the fights. Discovery+ will also air the action in the UK.

In the US, ESPN+ will stream the event live, as will the UFC’s Fight Pass.

But stick around – we’ll provide live updates from the whole card, right here.

UFC London LIVE: Welcome!

Leon Edwards faces Sean Brady in a must-win fight tonight, as the welterweights headline UFC London.

Edwards is competing for the first time since losing the division’s title to Belal Muhammad in July, when he was comprehensively outwrestled and outpointed in Manchester. Now the British-Jamaican fights on home soil again, and versus another wrestler as he takes on Brady.

The American steps in to face Edwards after the latter’s original opponent, Jack Della Maddalena, was pulled from UFC London and placed in a title fight with Muhammad. And Edwards, 33, believes he can set up a title shot against the winner of Muhammad vs Della Maddalena – which is scheduled for May – by beating Brady, 32.

Also in action at the O2 Arena are Liverpudlian star “Meatball” Molly McCann and London’s own Nathaniel Wood, while the co-main event pits Jan Blachowicz against Carlos Ulberg.

Follow live updates and results from the UFC London main card and prelims, right here.