Crazy knockouts and singing in street – UFC president Dana White got soaked in beer but fell in love with UK MMA at UFC London
Dana White was reminded just how epic UK MMA events are when the UFC returned to London for the first time in three years last March.
The UFC president watched on in amazement as British fight stars Tom Aspinall, Arnold Allen, and Paddy Pimblett all delivered impressive stoppage victories.
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However, it was Molly McCann who stole the show when she landed a brutal spinning elbow to knock Luana Carolina out cold at the iconic O2 Arena.
By the end of the night, White’s voice was completely wrecked and he was covered in the beer that was flying through the air as 20,000 British fight fans cheered on a new wave of MMA talent – but he was absolutely buzzing about what he’d just witnessed.
White told ESPN: “Crazy, incredible night. The energy in this place, the buzz, the fights, we broke the record here at the O2 Arena and it was the biggest Fight Night of all time.
“My voice is gone, my brain is gone and I’m covered head to toe in beer right now. I got hit with like two beers on the way out.
"All I can tell you is that tonight was incredible, everybody with a finish got a bonus, and every person who was here tonight watching left with their minds blown.
“If you watched on TV, people were telling me tonight felt like a massive pay-per-view fight. It could not have gone any better, I couldn’t be happier.”
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After composing himself, the UFC boss headed backstage to chat with assembled media members who he told about another UK MMA show in 2022.
White said: "Tonight re-energised me and reminded me of what it's like to do fights over in the UK. We're coming back here this year. I don't give a s*** what the schedule is. We're gonna be moving s*** around when we get home.
"The only thing that makes this better is if [Kamaru] Usman and [Leon] Edwards fought for the title. But other than that, tonight was the perfect night."
While White was talking to the media, UFC fans continued to party in London and a massive group of fans was videoed singing Tom Aspinall’s name while dancing outside the O2 Arena.
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The UFC returned to London in July for another show before Edwards won the welterweight title by knocking out Usman at UFC 278 in Salt Lake City one month later.
On Saturday night, White will finally get his wish as ‘Rocky’ will rematch his biggest rival at UFC 286 in the O2 where the MMA mogul’s love affair with UK fight fans started exactly one year ago.
It’ll be the UFC’s first pay-per-view event in the UK since Michael Bisping defended his middleweight title in a rematch with Dan Henderson in Manchester seven years ago.
That fight took place at 6am but Edwards vs Usman 3 will be at prime time and will surely allow White to experience British MMA fans at their best this weekend.
So, don’t be surprised if White immediately books another British UFC show after his latest wild night of fights in the English capital.
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