TOM ASPINALL blew the roof off the O2 Arena with a huge victory in the main event of UFC London.
The Wigan warrior locked horns with Russian Alexander Volkov in the main event of the UFC's long-awaited return to the UK.
Elsewhere on the card, Brit's Molly McCann, Arnold Allen and Muhammad Mokaev scored viral knockout victories to earn $50,000 bonuses.
Scroll down to recap an amazing night at the O2.
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- Chisanga Malata
UK return confirmed
UFC president Dana White has confirmed the promotion will return to the UK later this year.
He said: "We're coming back here this year. I don't give a s**t."
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Epic call-out
Tom Aspinall has made a beeline for Australia's Tai Tuivasa.
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Pimblett speaks on Ilia Topuria.
"I give him his dues. It was a good knockout, especially after taking that headkick in the first round.
But if I hit him with that headkick he's getting knocked out."
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"Born for this"
After bagging the biggest victory of his career, Aspinall roared: "Listen people, I've been saying all week. I'm born for this, I'm ready."
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Huge win for Aspinall
Tom Aspinall is a bonafide heavyweight contender following his submission victory over Alexander Volkov at the O2.
And he's now set his sights on a showdown with fellow surging contender Tai Tuivasa.
That's the fight to make.
- Chisanga Malata
Volkov vs Aspinall – Round One
Aspinall comes out light on his feet, unlike the plodsome Volkov.
And an early entrance see him crack the russian with a good three punch combo.
He shows his versatility with a beautiful foot sweep that saw him land in half guard.
Aspinall is in half guard dropping bombs on Volkov – who is struggling to deal with the top pressure.
A kimura attempt is fended off by Volkov, who manages to get back to his feet and circle away.
Volkov is cut on the top of his head.Aspinall' speed is troubling Volkov – who can't get a read on his entries.
The Wigan warrior briefly falls to the canvas but bounces back up to his feet. Volkov missed with a front kick.
Takedown for Aspinall. A kimura attempt for the 28-year-old. Volkov taps. Huge win for Aspinall.
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Main event time
The fight we're all here for is moments upon. Tom Aspinall is about to throw down with Alexander Volkov.
A win over the Russian will catapult Aspinall into title contention. Let's see if he can take advantage of the huge opportunity on home soil.
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Huge win for Arnold Allen
Arnold Allen is now 9-0 in the UFC following a blitz of Kiwi Dan Hooker.
The biggest win of the Almighty's career, which will now see him lock horns with the elite of the featherweight division.
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Allen vs Hooker – Round One
Hooker is pouring on the pressure early and looking to land his patented front kick up the middle.
Allen is working away with leg kicks on the outside but has yet to really open up with his offence
But as I say that, he hurts Hooker with a three-punch combo.
Allen continues to tee off. Hooker looks badly hurt. But the Kiwi, somehow, fires back and stings fallen himself.
Allen shoots for a takedown but no good.
A huge one-two stings Hooker and puts him in retreat mode. Hooker is eating some serious shots. The ref needs to think about stopping this.
And he does, mercifully.
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Co-main event time
Up next is a featherweight barnburner between Kiwi Killer Dan Hooker and Suffolk submission specialist Arnold Allen.
The winner of this one will catapult themselves into featherweight title contention.
A big match-up at 145lbs.
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Paddy wins
First round submission victory for Paddy Pimblett – who deals with some serious adversity before finishing Kazula Vargas with a rear-naked choke.
The arena has gone beserk after that win.
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Paddy wins
First round submission victory for Paddy Pimblett – who deals with some serious adversity before finishing Kazula Vargas with a rear-naked choke.
The arena has gone berserk after that win.
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Paddy the Baddy now
Co-main event time. And the arena has gone wild for Paddy Pimblett and his showdown with Kazula Vargas
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Paddy the Baddy now
Co-main event time. And the arena has gone wild for Paddy Pimblett and his showdown with Kazula Vargas
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Nelson vs Sato – Round Three
More ground domination from Nelson – who didn't show any signs of ring rust following his lengthy hiatus.
30-27 scorecards should be read out by all the judges.
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Nelson vs Sato – Round Two
The story of the round, again, has been Nelson's grappling – which Sato is having serious trouble dealing with.
The body triangle gave Sato great trouble.
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Nelson vs Sato
Japanese and Icelandic welterweights Gunnar Nelson are currently going at it.
Neither man has really managed to assert any sort of dominance. Although Nelson is being aggressive with his entries from range.
Takedown for Nelson. Nelson's superior grappling is giving Sato no chance of getting back to his feet.
The round ends.
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INSANE KO
Molly McCann has just bagged herself a $50,000 bonus with a stunning spinning back elbow KO in the third.
Absolutely insane from Meatball. Who leaps out of the cage, steals a belt and proudly walks around the cage with it.
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McCann vs Carolina – Round Two
Carolina is using her range a lot better in the second and frustrating McCann with her reach.
McCann, however, gets the fight to the ground midway through the round.
And Meatball punctuates it with a big back body drop that sends the crowd crazy.
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McCann vs Carolina – Round One
McCann immediately took the centre of the octagon and didn't give her Brazilian opponent any room to breathe.
Meatball lands a huge right hand swarms Carolina, unloading hooks to the body and the head.
Carolina has done a good job weathering the storm and has now forced a clinch.
But they break in the centre of the cage. McCann goes back to pouring on the pressure on the range Carolina.
McCann is a woman possessed and is refusing to give Carolina an inch to move.
Another flurry from McCann sends the O2 into raptures. McCann catches a head kick from a bloodied Carolina.
McCann taunts Carolina with a bit of dancing before the round ends.
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People's co-main event
Up next is a tasty women's flyweight shpowdown between fan favourite Molly McCann and Brazilian Luana Carolina.
This will be a good one, folks. Meatball Molly brings it every single time she sets foot inside the cage.
This fight will be no different.
- Chisanga Malata
People's co-main event
Up next is a tasty women's flyweight shpowdown between fan favourite Molly McCann and Brazilian Luana Carolina.
This will be a good one, folks. Meatball Molly brings it every single time she sets foot inside the cage.
This fight will be no different.
- Chisanga Malata
Topuria KO's Herbert
Ilia Topuria has just put Jai Herbert out cold with a huge overhand right.
Herbert – like he was in his loss to Fransico Trinaldo – was winning the fight before having his lights shut off.
Tough one, that, for the Team Renegade star.
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Herbert vs Topuria – Round Two
Topuria is having a hard time dealing with closing the distance on the tall and rangey Herbert, who looks the best he's ever been inside the octagon.
A nice overhand right lands for Topuria.
And another flattens Herbert. Huge win for Topuria.
- Chisanga Malata
Herbert vs Topuria – Round One
After a touch of gloves, they're off. Herbert is staying long on the outside and pumping out the jab.
Herbert drops Topuria with a huge headkick but the Georgian has somehow managed to survive.
Topuria, perhaps out of instinct, shoots a power double and presses Herbert against the cage.
Herbert is doing incredibly well to fend off the takedown attempt.
But Topuria creates separation from the cage, hoists Herbert in the air and slams him on the ground.
Herbert is doing well to fend off the attempted transitions from Topuria – who is bleeding from his head.
They return to their feet, much to the delight of the crowd. Herbert lands several good straight rights before the end of the round.
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