UFC London is finally here, and with such a stacked main card it’s easy to overlook some of the amazing UK talents on the UFC London prelims. Here are some of the fighters to look out for at the O2 arena.
Muhammad Mokaev – The Prodigy
Dagestan-born Brit Muhammad Mokaev makes his UFC debut in London. Boasting a 6-0 professional record as well as a 22-0 amateur career, he is an interesting newcomer to the flyweight division. Long seen as a potential champion one day, he takes the first step against American Cory Durden. Mokaev’s confidence is high, detailing an encounter with Durden media day he said:
“We opened the lift, he opened the lift, I think he was going upstairs, too, I said. ‘Are you still alive?’ And he looked at me and said, ‘Hello.’ And he didn’t go in, so that’s a bad sign. I would go in and see. I’m not gonna eat him in the lift. I’d just say just stay in touch with the U.S. embassy after the fight so you get off straight away.”
Everyone in the know is looking forward to seeing how the former IMMAF winner fairs in the big leagues at UFC London.
Jack Shore – The Hardcore Fans’ Main Event
Jack Shore (15-0) looks to keep his undefeated record intact as he takes on his toughest test to date in fearsome Russian Timur Valiev.
The Welshman has been criminally overlooked in the lead-up to the card. Shore is currently the underdog despite never having lost. With a four-inch reach and a two-inch in height advantage, plus skills that have yet to be matched in his cage fighting career – the UK fans will be hoping that “Tank” will show the rest of the world what his nickname truly means.
Paul Craig – The Two Year Plan
“Bearjew”, a perennial fan favourite and Scotland’s greatest MMA star features on the prelims (to the surprise of many). #11 ranked Craig is currently on a five-fight unbeaten run. He takes on Ukrainian Karate stylist Nikita Krylov in what is sure to be a bell to bell fan pleaser.
Craig has submitted some of the division’s most fearsome contenders such as Magomed Ankalaev and Jamahal Hill, as well as finishing Pride and UFC Legend “Shogun” Rua. Krylov himself has 35 fights, despite only being 29, and has fought the very best for nearly a decade. After announcing a 2-year extension on his retirement deadline, The Scotsman will be hoping that an emphatic win over a divisional mainstay such as Krylov will open the eyes of the UFC brass as to just how ready he is for a title shot.
What fight are you looking forward to most on the UFC London prelims?.
Follow me on Twitter at @WhatsTheOddsMMA , and follow us at Combat Sports UK for more exclusive content!
Featured image credits to UFC
