Paddy Pimblett 's partner didn't feel the pressure of performing the co-main event at home. UFC London , held this Saturday (21), featured a true battle between Luke Riley and Michael Aswell Jr for the featherweight title (up to 65,7 kg). The 26-year-old prospect sought victory throughout, connecting with excellent punches and pressuring his opponent for most of the fight.
In the first round, both fighters started with aggressive movement and head strikes. Michael landed some good uppercuts at 4:02 and cornered Luke against the cage. At 3:40, the fight returned to the center of the octagon, but Aswell quickly clinched Riley again, focusing on head strikes. Both fighters returned to the center of the octagon at 2:50 and exchanged good strikes.
Aswell tried to clinch with his opponent, but Riley managed to return to the center of the octagon. At 2:01, Luke landed a good punch to the head and began landing more strikes on Aswell, having a better moment in the final stretch of the round. The young Englishman dominated the final 30 seconds, pressuring the American, landing punches from a distance and not giving him any space to work.
In the second round, the fight remained intense, with both fighters exchanging kicks to the waist and punches to the head. At 3:30, Aswell landed a punch to the head, Riley fell, and the American grabbed onto his opponent's waist.
At 1 minute and 30 seconds, Michael landed a good punch on the Englishman, but his opponent immediately returned the blow. In the final 30 seconds, Luke maintained a good position, closing the distance and connecting with punches and kicks that exploited Aswell's openings.
In the third round, the fight resumed at a slightly slower pace. Aswell, visibly more tired, sought the cage, grabbing Riley at 4:20. At 2:50, Riley landed a beautiful cross. The Englishman, who had the better of the fight, reduced the frequency of his strikes but continued to pressure Aswell until the end.
In the end, Luke Riley defeated Michael Aswell Jr. by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27). With the victory, the Englishman maintains his undefeated record in his professional career, registering 13 wins.
On the other hand, Michael Aswell Jr. now has a record of 11 wins and four losses in his professional career. The 25-year-old American, who was coming off a victory in the UFC, will now need to review his mistakes to return stronger in his next fight for the organization.
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UFC London results
MAIN CARD
Featherweight (up to 65,7 kg): Movsar Evloev defeated Lerone Murphy by majority decision (48-46, 48-46, 47-47)
Featherweight (up to 65,7 kg): Luke Riley defeated Michael Aswell Jr. by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Welterweight (up to 77,1 kg): Michael Page defeated Sam Patterson by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Light heavyweight (up to 92,9 kg): Iwo Baraniewski defeated Austen Lane by technical knockout (strikes) at 4:32 of round 1.
Middleweight (up to 83,9 kg): Christian Leroy Duncan defeated Roman Dolidze by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28).
Featherweight (up to 65,7 kg): Danny Silva defeated Kurtis Campbell by technical knockout (punches) at 4:29 of round 2.
PRELIMINARY CARD
Lightweight (up to 70,3 kg): Mason Jones defeated Axel Sola by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Featherweight (up to 65,7 kg): Nathaniel Wood defeated Losene Keita by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Heavyweight (up to 120,2 kg): Mario Pinto defeated Felipe Franco by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Middleweight (up to 83,9 kg): Mantas Kondratavicius defeated Antonio Trocoli by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-27, 29-27)
Heavyweight (up to 120,2 kg): Brandon Pericic defeated Louie Sutherland by technical knockout (punches) at 1:48 of round 1.
Lightweight (up to 70,3 kg): Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady defeated Shem Rock by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Strawweight (up to 52,1 kg): Shanelle Dyer defeated Ravena Oliveira by technical knockout (strikes) at 1:17 of round 2.
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