Tom Aspinall was not impressed with what he noticed at UFC London.
The promotion made its annual pit cease in ‘The Large Smoke’ on Saturday night time for a Struggle Evening card headlined by the return of former welterweight champion Leon Edwards. Sadly, the occasion didn’t ship on the joy as 9 of the night’s 13 fights went to a choice, together with an particularly uninteresting co-main occasion between Jan Blachowicz and Carlos Ulberg.
Even the UK crowd — which is often very animated — discovered little to cheer for all through the night time, including to the monotony.
Aspinall, who was sitting entrance row middle for the festivities, echoed that very sentiment, calling the ambiance within the O2 Area “flat” and noting that many followers have been headed for the automobile park as quickly as the principle occasion was over.
“To be sincere with you, [UK MMA] wanted a giant night time on the O2 Area,” Aspinall stated throughout an look on The Ariel Helwani Present. “It was simply flat as hell within the O2 Area on Saturday night time. I used to be fairly dissatisfied as a result of, I don’t know, we wanted one thing.
“A few years in the past, UK MMA was completely banging. We’ve nonetheless received a lot expertise, however we simply want that pleasure, and the previous few reveals within the O2, we simply haven’t had it, sadly. I don’t know why that’s, nevertheless it’s not flowing the way in which it was.”
Shauna Bannon Brings the Highs, Molly McCann brings the lows at UFC London
Probably the most thrilling second of UFC London got here throughout the early prelims when Eire’s personal Shauna Bannon scored a comeback for the ages towards Puja Tomar.
Close to the midway level of the opening spherical, Tomar landed a wonderfully timed head kick that caught Bannon clear and despatched her crashing to the canvas. Issues regarded dire for Bannon who was doing all the pieces attainable to outlive the spherical. A minute later, Bannon managed to grab Tomar’s arm, locking in an armbar that pressured the Indian to faucet out.
Bannon took him a well-deserved $50,000 bonus for her efficiency.
Nevertheless, the elation turned to tears two hours later when UK fan favourite ‘Meatball’ Molly McCann introduced her retirement from the game after succumbing to a first-round rear-naked choke towards the debuting Alexia Thainara.
That on prime of Leon Edwards’ humiliating loss to Sean Brady left followers UK with an evening they’d somewhat quickly neglect.
