A big card for the UFC this weekend as they return to the O2 arena in London for what they hope will be another iconic show. The last year or so has seen several visits from the UFC to the English capital with massive fights involving the likes of Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman as well as transforming fighters such as Tom Aspinall and Paddy Pimblett from relatively unknown prospects into household names. The organisation will be hoping for a similarly successful show this Saturday night.
Main Event
The main event sees English boy Tom Aspinall take on Polish powerhouse Marcin Tybura. This will be Aspinall’s first fight in the octagon after badly damaging his knee in a bout with Curtis Blaydes almost exactly this day last year, a fight that also took place in the O2. Hoping not to replicate the performance against Blaydes and perhaps repeat the performance against Volkov, all eyes will be on Aspinal analysing if he will look like the same fighter after returning from his monstrous injury.
He will need to be on his best form in order to beat Marcin Tybura. A slightly lesser known name who has quietly gone under the radar the last couple of years amassing an extremely impressive record of 7-1 in his last 8 fights. He will be a very game opponent and will know that a win over Aspinall will dramatically improve his standing in the division.
Co Main Event
Molly McCann will be making her return to the O2 arena as well on Saturday. McCann has great form when fighting in England and 2 of her 3 fights last year were fought on home soil. It is no coincidence that she went 2-1 in 2022 and both fights in London ended with a spectacular knockout and “Meatball” getting her hand raised.
Her opponent Julija Stoliarenko has had a rough start to life in the UFC going 1-3 in her first 4 fights. A win over a high profile name like McCann would be absolutely massive for her career.
Main Card
Nathaniel Wood will continue his Featherweight journey with a match up against Andre Fili. Wood has looked very impressive since moving up to 145 lbs two fights ago and has looked dominant in both outings since at his new weight class. He faces by far his toughest test so far in Andre Fili however, a veteran of the division with over 10 years of experience, Fili has fought a whose who of the best names in the Featherweight division over the last 10 years or so with his losses only coming against proven top guys. A win for Wood will show that he belongs as one of these top fighters also.
Paul Craig will be making his debut at Middleweight after moving down from Light Heavyweight after suffering two consecutive losses at 205 lbs. Craig has picked up finishes over notable names at Light Heavyweight such as Jamahal Hill and Magomed Ankalaev and has stated his intentions to push towards a shot at gold as he enters the latter stages of his MMA career. His opponent Andre Muniz will be looking to get back to winning ways after losing his last fight to Brendan Allen. Muniz had been on a 5 fight winning streak in the organisation and will be hoping a victory over Craig will kickstart another similarly long run.
Jai Herbert will be making his return to the Octagon. The Black Country Banger has had a mixed career in the UFC so far with results not always going his way, yet he has consistently preformed well in fights and always manages to entertain whether he is delivering a KO or on the receiving end of one. His opponent Fares Ziam will be hoping it will be the second option on Saturday night.
Finally opening the main card sees hot prospect Lerone Murphy continue his journey in the Octagon with a matchup against fellow up and comer Josh Culibao. Both fighters have impressed so far during their time in the organisation. Murphy will be looking to extend his win streak to 5 and hopefully gain a shot at someone in the rankings next if he is successful on Saturday night.
Main Card
Tom Aspinall def. Marcin Tybura via TKO (strikes) R1, 1:13 at Heavyweight
Julija Stoliarenko def. Molly McCann via Submission (Armbar), R1, 1:55 at Strawweight
Nathaniel Wood def. Andre Fili via Unanimous Decision (29-28) x3 at Featherweight
Paul Craig def. Andre Muniz via TKO (elbows), R2, 4:40 at Middleweight
Fares Ziam def. Jai Herbert via Unanimous Decision (30-27), (29-28) x2 at Lightweight
Lerone Murphy def. Josh Culibao via Unanimous Decision (30-26) x2, (30-27) at Featherweight
Daniel Marcos def. Davey Grant via Split Decision (29-28) x2 Marcos, (29-28) x1 Grant at Bantamweight
Prelims
Jonny Parsons def. Danny Roberts via TKO (Strikes) R2, 4:57 at Welterweight
Joel Alvarez def. Marc Diakiese via Submission (D’arce Choke) R2, 4:26 at Lightweight
Mick Parkin def. Jamal Pogues via Unanimous Decision (30-27) x3 at Heavyweight
Makhmud Muradov def. Bryan Barberena via Unanimous Decision (30-27) x3 at Welterweight
Ketlen Vieira def. Pannie Kianzad via Unanimous Decision (29-28) x3 at Women’s Bantamweight
Chris Duncan def. Yanal Ashmouz via Unanimous Decision (30-27) x2, (29-28) at Lightweight
Bruna Brasil def. Shauna Bannon via Unanimous Decision (29-28) x2 ,(30-27) at Strawweight
Jafel Filho def. Daniel Barez via Submission (Arm Triangle) R1, 1:34 at Flyweight
