The UFC returns to England’s capital for the fourth time in two years as Tom Aspinall and Marcin Tybura headline the card at the O2 Arena in London. Read below for a round-by-round recap of tonight’s main card action.
Lerone Murphy V Josh Culibao
Culibao is undefeated at featherweight and trains with Alexander Volkanovski. Riding a three-fight win streak, he takes on the birthday boy, Lerone Murphy. The now 32-year-old has the 5th longest win streak of active fighters in the featherweight division and is unbeaten (12-0-1).
Round 1
Culibao is landing punches but doesn’t seem to be causing much damage. Murphy lands a nice head kick before initiating a clinch.
Round 2
The wrestling exchanges are very even, with both men canceling each other out. Culibao catches Murphy, and the Englishman shows great fight IQ by taking his opponent to the ground.
With his back against the fence, Murphy tries to set up a rear naked choke and secures both hooks. Culibao is able to see the clock down.
Round 3
Murphy lands a liver kick which sends Culibao to the mat.
He then attempts to capitalize by choking out his opponent, and it’s locked in tight! Culibao escapes, but Murphy remains on top and attempts a D’arce. The third round most likely secures the fight for Murphy.
Lerone Murphy wins via unanimous decision – 30-26 x2, 30-27.
Jai Herbert V Fares Ziam
Cornered by the UFC Welterweight Champion, Leon Edwards – Herbert holds a 12-4 MMA record. Ziam enters this fight as the favorite and has a 13-4 record.
Round 1
Ziam has early success with the low kicks. Herbert secures a clinch against the fence and Ziam does well to remain on his feet.
Round 2
Both fighters are opening up a little more. Ziam lands a nice right hook. Herbert isn’t fazed and continues to press.
After almost two rounds of Herbert desperately attempting takedowns, it’s Ziam who secured the first one, but the man from Wolverhampton gets back to his feet.
Round 3
Herbert tries once again and fails to land a takedown. Much of this fight has involved grappling exchanges against the fence, and it’s a hard one to call – an uneventful final round.
Fares Ziam wins via unanimous decision – 29-28 x2, 30-27
Paul Craig V Andre Muniz
Moving down to middleweight, Craig has finished all 16 of his wins, 11 of which have come in the first round. Muniz has a two-inch reach advantage, and the Brazilian has an impressive 23-5 record.
Round 1
Muniz lands a nice one-two on Craig, but the Scotsman remains unaffected. Head kicks from both men land in quick succession.
Muniz secures a takedown toward the end of the round.
Round 2
Craig lands some effective strikes after securing a takedown, but then Muniz attempts an armbar which Craig escapes from.
A break in the action due to a strike to the back of the head by Muniz, and Craig takes him down once more when we resume.
Craig gains Mount and rains down multiple elbows. They’re initially defended well. Then, more begin to land, and the referee has seen enough.
Paul Craig wins via TKO.
Nathaniel Wood V Andre Fili
The former Cage Warriors Bantamweight Champion, Nathaniel Wood, now fights at featherweight. Fili has both a five-inch height and reach advantage.
Round 1
Left-hand floors Wood! He gets straight back to his feet and collects himself quickly.
Fili is using circular movement to control the range.
Wood drops Fili and tries to finish the fight with multiple blows on the ground; Fili just about hangs on. They get back to their feet, and Wood lands a leg kick which is felt by Fili – a chaotic opening round.
Round 2
Nice jab from Wood; his power is deceiving, considering his size.
Multiple knees from close range land on Wood in quick succession and he drops to the floor; somehow, he survives the onslaught.
Round 3
A big jab from Wood towards the end of the fight in what is a critical round in both men’s careers. Fili has fought well, and this final round will likely be the decider. Wood certainly had more output towards the end of this fight. Who knows how the judges will score this one? We go to the scorecards.
Nathaniel Wood wins via unanimous decision – 29-28 x3
Molly McCann V Julija Stoliarenko
Molly McCann has the most performance bonuses in flyweight history and has had two spectacular spinning-back fist knockouts in the O2 Arena.
Lithuania’s Stoliarenko is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and a former Invicta champion.
Round 1
The fight ends up on the ground quite quickly. Stoliarenko secures the arm and clips McCann over, and the Liverpudlian taps to the armbar. A quick finish to the co-main event and one which silences the London crowd.
Julia Stoliarenko wins via submission.
Tom Aspinall V Marcin Tybura
Time for the main event. A win for Aspinall will put him close to title contention. The number ten-ranked Tybura aims to scupper those plans.
Round 1
Head kick lands almost immediately from Aspinall, but Tybura lands a right hand shortly afterward.
Aspinall drops Tybura with a right hand and ends the fight with a flurry of strikes on his grounded opponent.
Tom Aspinall wins via TKO.
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