Now the dust has settled on Saturday’s UFC London event. We thought we would take a look at those who won big. As well as some who lost momentum as things didn’t go their way in the night. Winners will be people who performed on the night and did a good job winning and progressing their careers. When we say losers we don’t have any intention to discredit or disrespect the fighter or their ability. It was more that things didn’t quite go their way on fight night.
Losers are a huge part of the sport of MMA. Many world champions have lost before they went on to achieve great things. In a sport full of trials and tribulations, a loss can be the start of something special for a fighter who learns and builds on his experiences. Watching someone come back stronger from a loss is why this sport is like no other
Winners
Nathaniel Wood
Our first winner on the night is Nathaniel Wood. Moving up in weight class to Featherweight. Wood looked amazing. Minus a brief submission attempt late in the first from his opponent, he was almost flawless. Showing his incredible striking he outstruck his opponent in every exchange. Using crisp boxing and fast hard leg kicks, he won every minute of every round.
Defeating Charles Rosa in the manner he did was impressive. Some might like to discredit Charles’ abilities. However, he’s a UFC mainstay and has competed against some very good fighters. Charles only loses to those who are or go on to be in and around the top 15. Looking very good in his new weight class. Nathaniel’s clinic should put the 145 division on notice.
Marc Diakiese
For people to criticise Marc Diakiese’s performance is slightly ludicrous. A man who has continually fought to entertain. Things haven’t always gone his way. So for him to find an easy path of victory and take it makes perfect sense, to secure the win and extra purse. Someone who’s put years into entertaining in the sport. At only 29, he’s earned a few “boring” performances.
Making it two in a row at lightweight. Adding wrestling to his already tremendous striking pedigree makes him even more well-rounded. If he can find a way to blend both his striking with his newfound grappling. He’d be a force to be reckoned with. This could be the platform for him to begin a serious push up the divisional rankings.
Molly McCann and Paddy Pimblett
Both Scousers did as they said. Two more finishes for the Liverpool pair, and two more post-fight bonuses. Continuing the hype with a couple of wins. They had the O2 arena rocking from the moment they stepped through the curtain. More viral clips for both as their star continues to rise. The chance of the UFC competing in Liverpool again looks all the closer.
Moving forward both have set themselves up well in their respective divisions. For Molly, she is surely only one or two fights away from a top 15 ranking. With a plethora of opponents that could be next. She’s in pole position to climb the ranks. Paddy is now three from three with three finishes. Proving he can do it in the UFC a step up in competition next time out would cement his position as a top star.
Losers
Curtis Blaydes and Top Aspinall
Two men who would have surely produced one hell of a heavyweight clash at UFC London. A freak injury 15 seconds called the bout to an end. Not losers because of the injury, but because it prevented them from showing what they are capable of. Moving forward both men will have that question mark looming over their heads. “What would have happened if Tom didn’t get injured?”
Tom’s injury looked serious, and he looks to be on the shelf for some considerable time. Curtis took the win, but it’s one that’s marred by the circumstances. Unable to show his abilities as he’d have liked. A longer fight would have showcased both men win, lose or draw. An unfortunate ending, we wish Tom Aspinall the speediest recovery.
Alexander Gustafsson
A hall of fame inductee. This MMA legend made his light heavyweight return after three years. No one can discredit the career he has had, but in London, it wasn’t his night. Facing a tough Nikita Krylov, he was finished via strikes at 1:07 in round number one. Not what you like to see happen to a legend.
This leaves Alexander in an awkward position for what’s next. Some have called for retirement for the 35-year-old Swede. After trying his hand at heavyweight and now losing to a top 10 light heavyweight he’s at a crossroads. Whatever he decides to do next we wish the MMA legend all the best.
Mason Jones
The former two-time Cage Warriors champion, holding both lightweight and welterweight gold. He lost his featured prelim bout to Ludovit Klein. Coming in on short notice. Mason had been training intending to fight at UFC London. Not at his best, he got dragged into a scrap and would commit unnecessarily.
Now 1-2 1 NC in the UFC. Many will question the hype surrounding the Welshman. Still 27, he needs to iron out the creases and begin to compete to the level he did in Cage Warriors. Still a top talent, this loss is merely a minor setback in his road up the division. Next for Mason could be another lightweight coming off a loss. Mason Jones vs Michael Johnson, who says no?
Who was your biggest winner and loser at UFC London?
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
