Tom Aspinall wasn’t impressed with what he saw at UFC London.
The promotion took place its annual pit stop on “Big Smoke” on Saturday night for the fight night card that the return of former welterweight champion Leon Edwards found. Unfortunately, the event failed to realize its excitement as nine of the 13 battles in the evening were decided.
Even the British crowds are usually very animated, but rarely cheered all night.
Aspinel, who sat in the front row center for the festival, reflected that very emotion, calling the atmosphere of the O2 Arena “flat,” and said that as soon as the main event was over, many fans headed for the parking lot.
“To be honest with you, (UK MMA) needed a big night at the O2 Arena,” Aspinol said when he appeared on Ariel Helwanishaw. “It was flat like hell in the O2 Arena on a Saturday night. I needed something and I was very disappointed.
“A few years ago, the UK MMA was absolutely banged. We still have a lot of talent and need that excitement, but the last few shows at O2 don’t have it, unfortunately.
Shauna Bannon brings highs, while Molly McCann brings bass at UFC London
UFC London’s most exciting moment came in early qualifying when Ireland’s own Shawna Bannon won an age comeback with Poojatmar.
Near the halfway point of the opening round, Tomar landed a perfectly timed head kick that caught Bannon neatly and hit the canvas. Things looked miserable for Bannon, who was doing everything possible to survive the round. A minute later, Bannon manages to steal Tomar’s arm and locks him up in an armbar that the Indians have forced him to tap out.
Bannon earned him a $50,000 bonus worthy of her performance.
But the uplifting was shed tears when two hours later, British fan favorite “meatball” Molly McCann announced his retirement from the sport after succumbing to a first-round rear naked chalk against debutant Alexia Seinara.
In addition to Leon Edwards’ humiliating loss to Sean Brady, they left Britain with a night that they would soon forget.