The UFC returns to London on Saturday after a three-year absence caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The 2020 edition of the event was cancelled at the last moment as the pandemic took hold in the UK, and no card was staged in 2021. Finally, UFC London returns to the promotion’s calendar, however, with Wigan’s Tom Aspinall headlining at the O2 Arena against veteran Alexander Volkov of Russia in a heavyweight bout. In the co-main event, fan favourite Dan Hooker drops from lightweight back to featherweight to take on Suffolk’s Dan Hooker, while Liverpool’s Paddy Pimblett – one of the UFC’s rising stars – is also in action, facing Rodrigo Vargas.
Pimblett was involved in a scuffle with Ilia Topuria, who is also on the card at the O2 Arena this weekend, at the fighter hotel on Tuesday evening, so it will be interesting to see whether tempers flair again as the week progresses.
Follow live updates as UFC London fighters address the media ahead of this Saturday’s card at the O2 Arena.
UFC London 2022 media day
Now we have Wales’ Jack Shore, who puts his undefeated record on the line against Timur Valiev on Saturday.
Alex Pattle16 March 2022 13:57
UFC London 2022 media day
Craig on going out with Jamahal Hill after breaking the American’s arm last year:
“I love Jamahal and his team, they’re planning on coming out to Scotland to train.
“Jamahal’s mum messaged me and thanked me, said I took Jamahal to a new level – that he was emotionally immature before that.”
Alex Pattle16 March 2022 13:55
UFC London 2022 media day
Craig on the disappointment of his planned fight with Alexander Gustafsson falling through:
“We did a full fight camp for Gus. Two weeks out, it was cancelled.
“It just feels like it’s been ripped from you.”
Alex Pattle16 March 2022 13:53
UFC London 2022 media day
Craig on the importance of British fighters winning this weekend:
“I’m gonna tell you this, what’s the worst [the UFC] can do – pull me from the card?
“They’ve booked various events around the UK this summer.
“They’ve booked places like Liverpool, Birmingham, Glasgow. It all depends on what happens this Saturday.”
Alex Pattle16 March 2022 13:44
UFC London 2022 media day
“If I can’t do it on Saturday night, if I can’t beat Krylov, I don’t deserve to be in the UFC – I don’t deserve to be in the top 10.”
Alex Pattle16 March 2022 13:43
UFC London 2022 media day
Craig on his viral finish against Jamahal Hill, whose arm the Scot broke last year:
“That night, I was told it was the most searched thing in the world at that point.
“The second thing was: ‘What language does Paul Craig speak?’
“But after that, when the dust settled, there was nothing for Paul.”
Alex Pattle16 March 2022 13:41
UFC London 2022 media day
Craig on the prospect of becoming Scotland’s first UFC champion:
“That means so much more to me than anything else.
“I want kids to stand up in school and say: ‘I’m doing my research on Paul ‘Bearjew’ Craig. You know he was the first Scottish UFC champion?’”
Alex Pattle16 March 2022 13:39
UFC London 2022 media day
Craig on Glover Teixeira’s upcoming light heavyweight title defence against Jiri Prochazka:
“It’s the old dog versus a young bull. We’ve got somebody in Glover who’s seen it, done it.
“I think it’s gonna be a lot harder for Jiri than people expect.
“They expect Jiri to just go in and do some spinning s*** and win it.”
Alex Pattle16 March 2022 13:38
UFC London 2022 media day
“I think this fight deserves fire for fire; blood, sweat, tears, snot – the full shebang.”
On Krylov’s mental state as his home nation of Ukraine is invaded by Russia:
“He’s a professional, so I’d like to say it’s not going to affect him. But his fight is much bigger than the UFC.”
Alex Pattle16 March 2022 13:35
UFC London 2022 media day
“Breaking into the top 10’s been a goal for me for the last two years. Covid’s sort of set that on the back-burner.
“There’s one guy standing in the way for me, Krylov. I’m gonna put on a Performance of the Night – not for the bonuses, but to get my name out there.”
Alex Pattle16 March 2022 13:33