Tag: UFC London

Dana White Says Paddy Pimblett vs. Jared Gordon Is Targeted For UFC London On March 19.

Paddy PimblettUFC president, Dana White has claimed that the organization are targeting a lightweight fight between recent promotional newcomer, Paddy Pimblett, and Jared Gordon for a planned UFC Fight Night London card on March 19. at the O2 Arena in London, England. Paddy Pimblett made a spectacular UFC debut back in September, scoring a first round […]

Paddy Pimblett

UFC president, Dana White has claimed that the organization are targeting a lightweight fight between recent promotional newcomer, Paddy Pimblett, and Jared Gordon for a planned UFC Fight Night London card on March 19. at the O2 Arena in London, England.

Paddy Pimblett made a spectacular UFC debut back in September, scoring a first round knockout win

Recent making his long-awaited UFC bow, Huyton native, Pimblett opened the main card of UFC Vegas 36 back in September, stopping Brazilian striker, Luigi Vendramini with a rallying first round knockout late into the frame.

For Gordon, the New York native is currently in the midst of a three-fight winning run, most recently nabbing a close split decision win over Joe Solecki at UFC Vegas 38 in October. UFC president, White confirmed that the promotion are targeting a pairing between Pimblett and Gordon for UFC Fight Night London on March 19. – during a recent interview with Barstool Sports.

However, despite White’s claims, it must be noted that Pimblett’s manager, Cage Warriors leader, Graham Boyland denied that that pairing against Gordon had been booked, replying, “We haven’t agreed this and (are) still discussing opponents.” 

Furthermore, Gordon’s manager, Brian Butler-Au also confirmed that his client had not officially agreed to fight Pimblett on March 19. – tweeting, “We have heard nothing on our end. @JFlashGordonMMA.”

For Paddy Pimblett, a London outing against Gordon appears to come as news to him as well, claiming that Barstool Sports leader, Dave Portnoy had received information regarding his second UFC outing before he himself had.

“My man @stoolpresidente (Dave Portnoy) getting exclusives out of the big man himself @danawhite getting info I didn’t even know yet, Dave u the man (laughing face emoji),” Paddy Pimblett tweeted.

Next Generation MMA trainee, Pimblett is also a former Cage Warriors featherweight champion, and recently denied suggestions and multiple claims that he was booked to fight one-time UFC lightweight title challenger, Donald Cerrone at UFC 272 on March 5. 

In the same breath as knocking back reports that he was slated to fight future Hall of Fame inductee, Cerrone, Pimblett did note his interest in drawing Gordon – citing the Queens native’s unanimous decision victory over his former teammate, Chris Fishgold – setting up somewhat of a grudge match between the two.

REPORT: UFC London Canceled, Close to Relocating to Las Vegas

Darren TillThe UFC had planned on holding a blockbuster event in London, England later this year, but according to reports, it appears those plans have been thwarted and changed. MMA reporter Ariel Helwani reported that the UFC is in talks to change the location for the September 4th UFC Fight Night, headlined by middleweights Darren Till […]

Darren Till

The UFC had planned on holding a blockbuster event in London, England later this year, but according to reports, it appears those plans have been thwarted and changed.

MMA reporter Ariel Helwani reported that the UFC is in talks to change the location for the September 4th UFC Fight Night, headlined by middleweights Darren Till and Derek Brunson, back to the U.S. in Las Vegas from the originally planned O2 Arena in London.

The reasoning for the proposed move is still unknown, but it can be presumed it has to do with the surging delta variant of COVID-19 sweeping the globe. The promotion planned on having an event in London last year featuring a welterweight bout between contenders Tyron Woodley and Leon Edwards, but the event was cancelled near the beginning of the pandemic lockdowns.

The UFC’s Apex facility in Las Vegas has been a prominent venue for Fight Night events since the beginning of the pandemic in early 2020 and has even hosted a number of pay-per-view events before the promotion returned to full capacity fights in Florida, Arizona and Nevada. An event hasn’t been held in London since the Darren Till vs. Jorge Masvidal card in 2019.

Though UFC president Dana White has said on numerous occasions that the UFC hopes to schedule events in the U.K. as quickly as possible, the ongoing coronavirus pandemic continues to make things difficult for the sports world, despite all of the major sports returning to action and allowing fans to attend in at least a limited capacity.

The next two scheduled pay-per-views, UFC 265 and 266, will take place in Houston and Las Vegas, respectively. Upcoming UFC Fight Night events will remain at the Apex through at least the end of the year, as White reiterated this summer.

The news is surely disappointing for fight fans, especially those in Europe and more specifically England. But, as vaccination rates continue to rise worldwide, the closer the planet will return to some semblance of normalcy.

What is your reaction to the latest news regarding UFC London?

REPORT: UFC London Canceled, Close to Relocating to Las Vegas

Darren TillThe UFC had planned on holding a blockbuster event in London, England later this year, but according to reports, it appears those plans have been thwarted and changed. MMA reporter Ariel Helwani reported that the UFC is in talks to change the location for the September 4th UFC Fight Night, headlined by middleweights Darren Till […]

Darren Till

The UFC had planned on holding a blockbuster event in London, England later this year, but according to reports, it appears those plans have been thwarted and changed.

MMA reporter Ariel Helwani reported that the UFC is in talks to change the location for the September 4th UFC Fight Night, headlined by middleweights Darren Till and Derek Brunson, back to the U.S. in Las Vegas from the originally planned O2 Arena in London.

The reasoning for the proposed move is still unknown, but it can be presumed it has to do with the surging delta variant of COVID-19 sweeping the globe. The promotion planned on having an event in London last year featuring a welterweight bout between contenders Tyron Woodley and Leon Edwards, but the event was cancelled near the beginning of the pandemic lockdowns.

The UFC’s Apex facility in Las Vegas has been a prominent venue for Fight Night events since the beginning of the pandemic in early 2020 and has even hosted a number of pay-per-view events before the promotion returned to full capacity fights in Florida, Arizona and Nevada. An event hasn’t been held in London since the Darren Till vs. Jorge Masvidal card in 2019.

Though UFC president Dana White has said on numerous occasions that the UFC hopes to schedule events in the U.K. as quickly as possible, the ongoing coronavirus pandemic continues to make things difficult for the sports world, despite all of the major sports returning to action and allowing fans to attend in at least a limited capacity.

The next two scheduled pay-per-views, UFC 265 and 266, will take place in Houston and Las Vegas, respectively. Upcoming UFC Fight Night events will remain at the Apex through at least the end of the year, as White reiterated this summer.

The news is surely disappointing for fight fans, especially those in Europe and more specifically England. But, as vaccination rates continue to rise worldwide, the closer the planet will return to some semblance of normalcy.

What is your reaction to the latest news regarding UFC London?

Alexander Gustafsson Will Face Paul Craig at UFC London in September

Alexander GustafssonFormer UFC light heavyweight title challenger Alexander Gustafsson will make his long-awaited return to the octagon this Fall, when it takes on rising contender Paul Craig at UFC London on September 4. The news first broke by Front Kick, and later in the day, it was reported by BJPenn.com that the card will take place […]

Alexander Gustafsson

Former UFC light heavyweight title challenger Alexander Gustafsson will make his long-awaited return to the octagon this Fall, when it takes on rising contender Paul Craig at UFC London on September 4.

The news first broke by Front Kick, and later in the day, it was reported by BJPenn.com that the card will take place in London. A bantamweight matchup between prospects Nathaniel Wood and Jonathan Martinez has also been added to the event.

Gustafsson appeared to begin a run at title contention in the UFC’s heavyweight division before he was submitted by former heavyweight champion Fabricio Werdum in his divisional debut. Before that, he had lost back-to-back fights against then-champion Jon Jones and top contender Anthony Smith before making the move up in weight.

At 34-years-old, Gustafsson is still in a somewhat prime spot in his career when it comes to his physical performance in the octagon. It’s unusual that a fighter with the experience of Gustafsson would cut weight once again, but he seems primed and ready to accept the challenge.

His opponent will be Craig, who earned a TKO win over Jamahal Hill at UFC 263 and also dislocated Hill’s arm in the process. He has won four straight bouts with his lone blemish being a split-draw against Shogun Rua at UFC Fight Night 144. Craig would then dominate Rua in the rematch last November at UFC 255.

Craig is currently the 12th-ranked UFC light heavyweight contender after the win over Hill, and Gustafsson has a real opportunity to make a splash in his return to his old stomping grounds at 205 pounds.

The event will be the promotion’s first appearance in London since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The UFC originally planned for a Tyron Woodley vs. Leon Edwards fight night in London in March 2020 before the global lockdowns because of the pandemic began.

What are your thoughts on Alexander Gustafsson vs. Paul Craig?

UFC Could Return To London in August

UFC LondonSounds like the UFC could be returning to Europe by the end of summer, and more specifically London in August. This was first reported by ESPN’s Ariel Helwani, who says that although nothing has been finalized or discussed beyond initial considerations, it appears the UFC is seriously considering booking a card in the city sooner […]

UFC London

Sounds like the UFC could be returning to Europe by the end of summer, and more specifically London in August.

This was first reported by ESPN’s Ariel Helwani, who says that although nothing has been finalized or discussed beyond initial considerations, it appears the UFC is seriously considering booking a card in the city sooner rather than later.

If the rumored idea comes to fruition, this would mark the promotion’s first card in London since the Darren Till vs. Jorge Masvidal Fight Night card in 2019. The UFC had originally planned to book a fight between welterweights Leon Edwards and Tyron Woodley scheduled for May 2020 before the COVID-19 pandemic changed those plans.

The United Kingdom is home to many high-profile stars in the UFC; including Edwards, Till, newly-signed Paddy Pimblett, and former UFC middleweight champion, and current television analyst Michael Bisping.

This would also mark the first card held in another country outside of the USA and UAE since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. England is reportedly pressing ahead with their original plan of easing COVID restrictions in the country beginning on May 17th, including allowing people to congregate indoors including at sports and entertainment venues.

The rate of COVID-19 cases has continued to decline over the past few months with the increase of vaccinations around the country.

This would also offer a perfect opportunity to book Pimblett, one of the latest and most popular signings by the UFC. Pimblett, a native of Liverpool, is a former featherweight champion in Cage Warriors and hasn’t fought in the UFC since he was signed earlier this year. Rumored opponents include Julian Erosa and Jared Gordon.

It’s almost certain that if and when the UFC returns to London, they will book a star-studded card for fans to enjoy after having suffered through the challenges of COVID-19 over the past year.

What is your reaction to the UFC possibly returning to London this year?

UFC London Fighters Compensated With ‘No More Than $20,000’

UFC LondonFighters scheduled to fight on the cancelled UFC London event have reportedly been compensated in light of the event not taking place. In a report by ESPN’s Ariel Helwani, he shared the information stating that from what he had heard fighters had received payment. “I’m told the fighters who were slated to compete on the […]

UFC London

Fighters scheduled to fight on the cancelled UFC London event have reportedly been compensated in light of the event not taking place.

In a report by ESPN’s Ariel Helwani, he shared the information stating that from what he had heard fighters had received payment.

“I’m told the fighters who were slated to compete on the ill-fated London card on March 21 received no more than $20,000. As you can imagine, some of the higher earners aren’t too pleased with that amount, while others were happy to get something for nothing.”

The event was cancelled a week before it was scheduled to be held due to the coronavirus outbreak forcing travel bans between the US and the UK.

The UFC then proceeded to begin drawing up a replacement card in the US that would host as many of the fighters due to compete on the London event that would be available in the US. This was short-lived as the UFC was unable to find a venue for the event inside the US.

The London event was to be headlined by former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley taking on rising star Leon Edwards.

This would be Woodley’s return to the octagon since losing his belt to Kamaru Usman in March 2019.

Since this event fell through Woodley seems to have his eyes on different opponents for his return, requesting a bout with former interim champion Colby Covington.

It is unclear when Woodley will make his return or if it will be against Edwards or an alternate opponent.

Here is a list of the fighters who were scheduled to compete on the London card.

  • Tyron Woodley vs. Leon Edwards
  • Darren Stewart vs. Marvin Vettori
  • Paul Craig vs. Ryan Spann
  • Gabriel Benítez vs. Lerone Murphy
  • Tom Aspinall vs. Raphael Pessoa Nunes
  • John Phillips vs. Dusko Todorovic
  • Molly McCann vs. Ashlee Evans-Smith
  • Nicolas Dalby vs Danny Roberts
  • Stevie Ray vs. Marc Diakiese
  • Mike Grundy vs. Makwan Amirkhani