The UFC returns to London on Saturday after a three-year absence caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The 2020 edition of the event was cancelled at the last moment as the pandemic took hold in the UK, and no card was staged in 2021. Finally, UFC London returns to the promotion’s calendar, however, with Wigan’s Tom Aspinall headlining at the O2 Arena against veteran Alexander Volkov of Russia in a heavyweight bout. In the co-main event, fan favourite Dan Hooker drops from lightweight back to featherweight to take on Suffolk’s Dan Hooker, while Liverpool’s Paddy Pimblett – one of the UFC’s rising stars – is also in action, facing Rodrigo Vargas.
Pimblett was involved in a scuffle with Ilia Topuria, who is also on the card at the O2 Arena this weekend, at the fighter hotel on Tuesday evening, so it will be interesting to see whether tempers flair again as the week progresses.
Follow live updates as UFC London fighters address the media ahead of this Saturday’s card at the O2 Arena.
UFC London 2022 media day
“I can end up in the same hole again… I want to make sure my family are sorted.”
Alex Pattle16 March 2022 12:16
UFC London 2022 media day
Short and sweet from Mokaev when he’s asked how he sees his fight with Durden playing out:
Alex Pattle16 March 2022 12:15
UFC London 2022 media day
Mokaev on the calibre of fighters at flyweight:
“[Brandon] Moreno I can beat with my wrestling, [champion Deiveson] Figueiredo I can stand with all day.
“At the top level, it’s not like they have crazy skills that you don’t know.
“I don’t see anybody special in the division.”
Alex Pattle16 March 2022 12:13
UFC London 2022 media day
“Since I came here and with the way the UK treated me, [I’ve known I wanted to represent this country instead of Russia].
“I want to be a great example to the government and Home Office, also.”
Alex Pattle16 March 2022 12:12
UFC London 2022 media day
“When I get the finish on the night, the UFC will give me top-15 guys.
“Yes, 100 per cent [the goal is still to be the youngest UFC champion ever].
“It’s better to fight good names to get on top, rather than fighting guys on losing streaks.”
Alex Pattle16 March 2022 12:10
UFC London 2022 media day
Mokaev signed as the UFC’s youngest roster-member last year, aged just 21.
The Dagestani-born flyweight used to train with Tom Aspinall’s father up north, and Tom himself even helped out.
“Tom [Aspinall] was actually teaching us, the kids’ classes.”
UFC London 2022 media day
Mokaev says he saw his flyweight opponent Cody Durden in the hotel this week and that the American was hesitant to speak to him.
“I think that’s a bad sign. I’m not gonna eat him.”
Alex Pattle16 March 2022 12:05
UFC London 2022 media day
The undefeated Muhammad Mokaev, fighting out of Manchester, makes his UFC debut this Saturday.
He’s speaking to the media now.
Alex Pattle16 March 2022 12:03
UFC London 2022 media day
There’s a brief break now while we wait for the next fighter to emerge.
Alex Pattle16 March 2022 11:42
UFC London 2022 media day
Rodrigo Vargas, who faces Liverpool’s Paddy Pimblett this Saturday (but seems to think his opponent is from London), says the Briton is “overrated” and “a bit like a child”.
“Paddy can say what he wants. He has his plan, I have mine; let’s see whose plan works.”
Alex Pattle16 March 2022 11:20
