The UFC returns to the UK this weekend after a three-year hiatus. It was a long way back to our shores for the MMA giants, one bursting with pandemics, global insecurity and the gradual return to normalcy. As we look forward to seeing the favorites of Tom Aspinall, Paddy ‘The Baddy’ Pimblett and Arnold Allen in the cage, here’s a look back at some of the biggest UFC fights taking place on British soil.
Matt Hughes vs. Carlos Newton – UFC 38
The fight where it all started, this UFC Welterweight Championship showdown convinced the UFC’s first UK card. Hughes had beaten Newton eight months earlier in controversial circumstances. Hughes claimed the title by hitting Newton with a spectacular slam, but later admitted that he ended up in a chokehold while running it. This confession led to a revenge at the Royal Albert Hall in London.
Hughes asserted his superiority in the second fight, stopping Newton with a barrage of punches in the fourth round. It was an explosive start not only for the UFC and Great Britain, but for Hughes’ dominance of the division. He would go on to pursue a legendary career in the Octagon, with his nine victories and title fights placing him in fifth place on the All-Time list.
Gabriel Gonzaga vs. Mirko Cro Cop – UFC 70
MMA aficionados had dreamed of the day when they saw the destructive Croatian Mirko Cro Cop in the Octagon. A major reason for Japan’s legendary PRIDE promotion, the former Special Forces officer was MMA royalty before he even joined the UFC.
After beating Eddie Sanchez in a single round on his debut, UK fans would take a look at the legend as he battled Gabriel Gonzaga in Manchester. Gonzaga, however, did not read the script. Fans came expecting to tick off to see the Cro Cop from their bucket list, and they left after seeing a great deal of excitement.
Gonzaga knocked out Cro Cop with a header in the first round, the very technique the Croatian used to collect so many of his victories over the years. This was like throwing a Batarang at Batman, an impressive moment of poetic justice.
Mirko was never quite the same fighter. His UFC tenure could not be launched, and he set a staggering 4-6 record in the Octagon before retiring in 2011. He would, however, return to the UFC in 2015, with the sole goal of getting revenge. Cro Cop stopped Gonzaga in the third round of their rematch, finally getting the taste of that bitter Manchester defeat from his range.
Dan Henderson vs. Quinton Jackson – UFC 75
Perhaps the most historic battle to have taken place in Britain, these two legendary fighters met in a unification battle in 2007. Henderson was the reigning PRIDE middleweight champion, while ‘Rampage’ held the UFC Light Heavyweight title.
Both were PRIDE staples before the UFC bought their competition, but had never met in Japan. It took all five rounds to separate them. Henderson went on to improve the ring exchange early on, before Jackson began to find his eye-catching track in the third.
The fifth round showed a grandstand finish of both, as Henderson started better before being hit by a barrage of punches. It was this later Flurry who allowed ‘Rampage’ to make the decision, and emerge as the true champion.
Michael Bisping vs. Anderson Silva – UFC Fight Night 84
Manchester’s “The Count” chased Silva for years while Brazilian UFC middleweight champion. The fight never materialized while ‘The Spider’ was champion, but Bisping got his chance in front of a home crowd at the O2 Arena in London in 2016.
It should be a dramatic, career night for the Brit. After an encouraging start, Bisping fell sharply by a flying knee at the end of the third round. He looked out, but Buzzer rang to finish the round. Silva celebrated as if he had won, but was made to return to his corner. This was not finished yet.
The languid Brazilian tried to coast for the next two rounds, while Bisping was disturbed by an unwanted taste of his own blood. Mancunian fought back brilliantly and at the end of five rounds his hand was raised. It was an exciting turnaround, and one that would earn him a successful shot at the UFC title, which he had long demanded in his next outing.
Jorge Masvidal vs. Darren Till – UFC Fight Night 147
From a dream night in front of home fans to a nightmare. Darren Till has been named as Britain’s next MMA superstar after winning five of his first seven Octagon outings. For his great homecoming, he was fought against a struggling Jorge Masvidal.
‘Gamebred’ came from two losses, and is believed to be on the slide. Unfortunately for Till, he was running into the Californians to pursue their career recovery. Till knocked Masvidal down early, but was struck by a monster from a looping left hook in the second round.
The fight would send the couple in opposite directions. Till has since won one of three fights because his UFC aspirations seem to be getting away from him. Masvidal beat Ben Askren and Nate Diaz, and deserved a shot at the UFC Welterweight Championship.
* 18 + | BeGambleAware | Chances are subject to change
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