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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Charlie Wilson

UFC London 2022 card: Paddy Pimblett vs Rodrigo Vargas and every fight tonight

It's fight night! We're now just hours away from the return of the UFC in London with Fight Night 204 being held at the O2 Arena.

UK fight fans have been waiting for this for three years, with this event being the first in the UK since 2019. On that card, a number of British fighters were able to make a name for themselves - and that's exactly the opportunity that fighters have been given this Satruday.

Heavyweight Tom Aspinall will be the main man on the night, headlining the card as he'll face the #5-ranked heavyweight Alexander Volkov. Aspinall could volt himself into championship contention, and find himself fighting the likes of Ciryl Gane, Stipe Miocic, Francis Ngannou, and potentially, Jon Jones.

And of course, Liverpool's Paddy Pimblett will feature in his second UFC fight after his incredible debut victory over Luigi Vendramini last year. Pimblett's quick rise to stardom has been something to behold - with his name on a number of fighters lips who are looking to face the Baddy.

Fellow Scouser Molly McCann will also fight on the card after coming off recent emphatic victory.

A number of British fighters have been given huge opportunities, with some making their debut and others looking to build their reputation.

Speaking earlier this year, White said that the show had been in some doubt due to the rise in Covid-19 cases throughout the nation.

Click here to search for tickets to UFC Fight Night in London on Ticketmaster

On the UFC coming to London, White told BT Sport: "Every time we put on an event in London it’s an unbelievable experience.

"The fans are incredible, and the fights are always off the charts. It’s a different kind of energy in England. And I can’t wait to get back there with a fight card on March 19th."

Pimblett was confirmed on the card when White announced that he will face Mexican Rodrigo 'Kazula' Vargas while fellow Scouser McCann will fight Brazilian Luana Carolina.

Manchester's Aspinall - who fights out of Liverpool - will main event the card, taking on veteran Volkov.

Aspinall is currently on a four-win streak since joining the UFC, with a tough opponent in Volkov winning three of his last four, after only being defeated by Ciryl Gane.

It was confirmed this week that Gunnar Nelson will face a new opponent and further replacements expected ahead of next weekend's card.

The Icelandic fighter, who fights out of Stoke-on-Trent, will now fight Japansese welterweight Takashi Sato in one of the headline fights on the preliminary card.

UFC London fight card

Tom Aspinall vs Alexander Volkov

Dan Hooker vs Arnold Allen

Paddy Pimblett vs Rodrigo Vargas

Paul Craig vs Nikita Krylov

Shamil Abdurakhimov vs Sergei Pavlovich

Gunnar Nelson vs Takashi Sato

Jack Shore vs Timur Valiev

Mike Grundy vs Makwan AmirKhani

Molly McCann vs Luana Carolina

Mo Mokaev vs Cody Durden

Nathaniel Wood vs Liudvik Sholinian

Cory McKenna vs Elise Reed

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