{{short description|Mixed martial arts event in 2022}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox MMA event |name= UFC Fight Night: Volkov vs. Aspinall |image= File:Official_poster_for_UFC_Fight_Night_Volkov_vs._Aspinall.jpg |promotion= Ultimate Fighting Championship |date= {{start date|2022|03|19}} |venue= The O<sub>2</sub> Arena |city= London, England |attendance= 17,081<ref name="attn&gate">{{cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/lists/ufc-fight-night-204-post-event-facts-molly-mccanns-elbow-other-finishes-enter-record-books|title=UFC Fight Night 204 post-event facts: Molly McCann's elbow, other finishes enter record books|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Mike Bohn|date=2022-03-20|access-date=2022-03-21|archive-date=21 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220321234219/https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/lists/ufc-fight-night-204-post-event-facts-molly-mccanns-elbow-other-finishes-enter-record-books|url-status=live}}</ref> |gate= $4,500,000<ref name="attn&gate" /> |previousevent= UFC Fight Night: Santos vs. Ankalaev |followingevent= UFC on ESPN: Blaydes vs. Daukaus }}
'''''UFC Fight Night: Volkov vs. Aspinall''''' (also known as '''''UFC Fight Night 204''''' and '''''UFC on ESPN+ 62''''') was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that took place on March 19, 2022, at The O<sub>2</sub> Arena in London, England.<ref name="London">{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022/01/ufc-officially-announces-return-to-london-england-for-march-19-event|title=UFC officially announces return to London for March 19 event|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Farah Hannoun|date=2022-01-19|access-date=2022-01-19|archive-date=4 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204010308/https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022/01/ufc-officially-announces-return-to-london-england-for-march-19-event|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Background== The event was the first in London since UFC Fight Night: Till vs. Masvidal in March 2019. The UFC was expected to return to the city in March 2020 at UFC Fight Night: Woodley vs. Edwards and in September 2021 at UFC Fight Night: Brunson vs. Till, but the first event was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the latter was relocated to Las Vegas.<ref name="London" />
A heavyweight bout between former Bellator Heavyweight World Champion Alexander Volkov and Tom Aspinall headlined the event.<ref name="Volkov vs. Aspinal">{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022/01/ufc-fight-night-london-alexander-volkov-vs-tom-aspinall-march-19-mma-matchup-booking-announcement|title=Alexander Volkov vs. Tom Aspinall headlines UFC's March return to London|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|date=2022-01-20|access-date=2022-01-21|archive-date=19 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220419134943/https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022/01/ufc-fight-night-london-alexander-volkov-vs-tom-aspinall-march-19-mma-matchup-booking-announcement|url-status=live}}</ref> Aspinall was originally expected to face Shamil Abdurakhimov, but after he was pulled in favor of the main event spot, Abdurakhimov was rescheduled against Sergei Pavlovich instead.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2021/11/02/tom-aspinall-vs-shamil-abdurakhimov-set-march-19-ufc-event/|title=Tom Aspinall vs. Shamil Abdurakhimov set for March 19 UFC event|publisher=cagesidepress.com|author=Alex Behunin|date=2021-11-02|access-date=2022-01-21|archive-date=17 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220417171146/https://cagesidepress.com/2021/11/02/tom-aspinall-vs-shamil-abdurakhimov-set-march-19-ufc-event/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.eurosport.nl/mixed-martial-arts/ufc/2022/pavlovich-vervangt-aspinall-tijdens-ufc-london_sto8725921/story.shtml|title=Pavlovich replaces Aspinall at UFC London|publisher=eurosport.nl|author=Marcel Dorff|date=2022-01-21|access-date=2022-01-21}} {{in lang|nl}}</ref>
A bantamweight bout between Jack Shore and Umar Nurmagomedov was scheduled for the event.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2021/11/18/jack-shore-vs-umar-nurmagomedov-set-march-19-ufc-event/|title=Jack Shore vs. Umar Nurmagomedov set for March 19 UFC event|publisher=cagesidepress.com|author=Alex Behunin|date=2021-11-18|access-date=2021-12-26|archive-date=18 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220418023008/https://cagesidepress.com/2021/11/18/jack-shore-vs-umar-nurmagomedov-set-march-19-ufc-event/|url-status=live}}</ref> However, Nurmagomedov was removed from the bout due to undisclosed reasons and replaced by Timur Valiev.<ref name="Shore vs. Valiev">{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/12/ufc-news-umar-nurmagomedov-out-timur-valiev-meets-jack-shore-fight-night-march-29|title=Umar Nurmagomedov out, Timur Valiev meets Jack Shore at UFC Fight Night in March|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Mike Bohn|date=2021-12-26|access-date=2021-12-26|archive-date=22 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220122065901/https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/12/ufc-news-umar-nurmagomedov-out-timur-valiev-meets-jack-shore-fight-night-march-29|url-status=live}}</ref>
A flyweight bout between Jake Hadley and Francisco Figueiredo was scheduled for the event.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mmadna.nl/twee-flyweight-gevechten-toegevoegd-aan-beoogde-ufc-london-card-op-19-maart/|title=Two Flyweight fights added to targeted "UFC London" card on March 19|publisher=mmadna.nl|author=Marcel Dorff|date=2021-12-03|access-date=2022-01-14|archive-date=27 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220327050419/https://mmadna.nl/twee-flyweight-gevechten-toegevoegd-aan-beoogde-ufc-london-card-op-19-maart/|url-status=live}} {{in lang|nl}}</ref> However, Figueiredo withdrew from the event due to undisclosed reasons and was replaced by Allan Nascimento.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.eurosport.nl/mixed-martial-arts/ufc/2022/allan-nascimento-nieuwe-tegenstander-jake-hadley_sto8710701/story.shtml|title=Jake Hadley's new opponent: Allan Nascimento|publisher=eurosport.nl|author=Marcel Dorff|date=2022-01-14|access-date=2022-01-14|archive-date=29 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220129080400/https://www.eurosport.nl/mixed-martial-arts/ufc/2022/allan-nascimento-nieuwe-tegenstander-jake-hadley_sto8710701/story.shtml|url-status=live}} {{in lang|nl}}</ref> Hadley eventually had to pull out due to injury and the bout was scrapped.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vmtv.co.uk/2022/02/05/jake-hadley-vs-allan-nascimento-off-ufc-london/|title=Jake Hadley vs Allan Nascimento off UFC London|publisher=vmtv.co.uk|author=Cauley Quilty|date=2022-02-05|access-date=2022-03-03|archive-date=3 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220303033415/https://www.vmtv.co.uk/2022/02/05/jake-hadley-vs-allan-nascimento-off-ufc-london/|url-status=live}}</ref> They were later rescheduled to meet at UFC Fight Night 209.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2022-03-29|title=UFC Hadley vs. Nascimento booked again, this time for May 14th|url=https://www.eurosport.nl/mixed-martial-arts/ufc/2022/ufc-hadley-vs.-nascimento-opnieuw-geboekt-ditmaal-voor-14-mei_sto8864924/story.shtml|access-date=2022-03-30|publisher=eurosport.nl|author=Marcel Dorff|archive-date=29 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220329114043/https://www.eurosport.nl/mixed-martial-arts/ufc/2022/ufc-hadley-vs.-nascimento-opnieuw-geboekt-ditmaal-voor-14-mei_sto8864924/story.shtml|url-status=live}} {{in lang|nl}}</ref>
A lightweight bout between Jai Herbert and Mike Davis was scheduled for the event.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022/02/ufc-london-mike-davis-vs-jai-herbert-mma-fight-booking-matchup-announcement|title=Mike Davis returns against Jai Herbert at UFC London|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Farah Hannoun|date=2022-02-04|access-date=2022-02-19|archive-date=20 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220220022839/https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022/02/ufc-london-mike-davis-vs-jai-herbert-mma-fight-booking-matchup-announcement|url-status=live}}</ref> However, Davis withdrew from the bout for personal reasons and was replaced by Ilia Topuria.<ref name="Herbert vs. Topuria">{{Cite web|date=2022-02-12|title=Mike Davis isn't facing Jai Herbert at UFC London because 'it just doesn't make sense to take the fight'|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022/02/ufc-london-why-mike-davis-isnt-fighting-jai-herbert|access-date=2022-02-18|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Farah Hannoun|archive-date=10 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220310124224/https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022/02/ufc-london-why-mike-davis-isnt-fighting-jai-herbert|url-status=live}}</ref>
Cláudio Silva was expected to face Gunnar Nelson in a welterweight bout.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022/01/ufc-london-gunnar-nelson-vs-claudio-silva-march-mma-fight-booking-matchup|title=Gunnar Nelson returns against Claudio Silva at UFC London in March|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Farah Hannoun|date=2022-01-24|access-date=2022-03-04|archive-date=21 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220321123832/https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022/01/ufc-london-gunnar-nelson-vs-claudio-silva-march-mma-fight-booking-matchup|url-status=live}}</ref> However, Silva pulled out in early March due to a knee injury.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/3/4/22962243/claudio-silva-injured-out-ufc-london-fight-gunnar-nelson|title=Claudio Silva injured, out of UFC London fight with Gunnar Nelson|publisher=mmafighting.com|author=Guilherme Cruz|date=2022-03-04|access-date=2022-03-04|archive-date=8 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308012248/https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/3/4/22962243/claudio-silva-injured-out-ufc-london-fight-gunnar-nelson|url-status=live}}</ref> He was replaced by Takashi Sato.<ref name="SatoIn">{{Cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/3/7/22966166/gunnar-nelson-now-expected-to-face-takashi-sato-at-ufc-london-card|title=Gunnar Nelson now expected to face Takashi Sato at UFC London card|publisher=mmafighting.com|author=Damon Martin|date=2022-03-07|access-date=2022-03-07|archive-date=8 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308082452/https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/3/7/22966166/gunnar-nelson-now-expected-to-face-takashi-sato-at-ufc-london-card|url-status=live}}</ref>
A bantamweight bout between Liudvik Sholinian and Nathaniel Wood was scheduled for this event.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/1/25/22900845/nathaniel-wood-vs-liudvik-sholinian-added-to-ufc-london|title=Nathaniel Wood vs. Liudvik Sholinian added to UFC London|publisher=mmafighting.com|author=Alexander K. Lee|date=2022-01-25|access-date=2022-03-07|archive-date=7 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220307235535/https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/1/25/22900845/nathaniel-wood-vs-liudvik-sholinian-added-to-ufc-london|url-status=live}}</ref> However, due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Sholinian was unable to leave Ukraine or train properly, so he was replaced by Vince Morales.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://armenianweekly.com/2022/03/02/ukrainian-armenian-ufc-fighter-liudvik-sholinian-shares-perilous-situation-in-kyiv/|title=Ukrainian-Armenian UFC fighter Liudvik Sholinian shares perilous situation in Kyiv|publisher=armenianweekly.com|author=Andre Khatchaturian|date=2022-03-02|access-date=2022-03-07|archive-date=7 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220307220435/https://armenianweekly.com/2022/03/02/ukrainian-armenian-ufc-fighter-liudvik-sholinian-shares-perilous-situation-in-kyiv/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2022/03/05/liudvik-sholinian-vince-morales-nathaniel-wood-ufc-london/|title=Liudvik Sholinian out, Vince Morales will face Nathaniel Wood at UFC London|publisher=cagesidepress.com|author=Alex Behunin|date=2022-03-05|access-date=2022-03-07|archive-date=7 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220307205305/https://cagesidepress.com/2022/03/05/liudvik-sholinian-vince-morales-nathaniel-wood-ufc-london/|url-status=live}}</ref> In turn, just days before the event, Morales withdrew due to illness.<ref name="Moralesout">{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022/03/ufc-fight-night-204-london-nathaniel-wood-vs-vince-morales-out|title=Nathaniel Wood in need of UFC Fight Night 204 opponent after Vince Morales withdraws due to illness|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Nolan King|date=2022-03-16|access-date=2022-03-16|archive-date=17 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220317001049/https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022/03/ufc-fight-night-204-london-nathaniel-wood-vs-vince-morales-out|url-status=live}}</ref> The pairing will be rescheduled for a future event.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022/03/ufc-fight-night-204-news-nathaniel-wood-to-reschedule-fight-against-vince-morales|title=UFC London: No replacement for Nathaniel Wood, bout against Vince Morales to be rescheduled|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Matthew Wells|date=2022-03-17|access-date=2022-03-17|archive-date=17 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220317195831/https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022/03/ufc-fight-night-204-news-nathaniel-wood-to-reschedule-fight-against-vince-morales|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Results== {{MMAevent}} {{MMAevent card|Main card (ESPN+)}} {{MMAevent bout |Heavyweight |Tom Aspinall |def. |Alexander Volkov |Submission (straight armbar) |1 |3:45 | }} {{MMAevent bout |Featherweight |Arnold Allen |def. |Dan Hooker |TKO (punches and elbows) |1 |2:33 | }} {{MMAevent bout |Lightweight |Paddy Pimblett |def. |Kazula Vargas |Submission (rear-naked choke) |1 |3:50 | }} {{MMAevent bout |Welterweight |Gunnar Nelson |def. |Takashi Sato |Decision (unanimous) (30–26, 30–26, 30–26) |3 |5:00 | }} {{MMAevent bout |Women's Flyweight |Molly McCann |def. |Luana Carolina |KO (spinning back elbow) |3 |1:52 | }} {{MMAevent bout |Lightweight |Ilia Topuria |def. |Jai Herbert |KO (punches) |2 |1:07 | }} {{MMAevent card|Preliminary card (ESPN+)|header=no}} {{MMAevent bout |Featherweight |Makwan Amirkhani |def. |Mike Grundy |Technical Submission (anaconda choke) |1 |0:57 | }} {{MMAevent bout |Heavyweight |Sergei Pavlovich |def. |Shamil Abdurakhimov |TKO (punches) |1 |4:03 | }} {{MMAevent bout |Light Heavyweight |Paul Craig |def. |Nikita Krylov |Submission (triangle choke) |1 |3:57 | }} {{MMAevent bout |Bantamweight |Jack Shore |def. |Timur Valiev |Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 29-28, 29–27) |3 |5:00 | }} {{MMAevent bout |Women's Strawweight |Elise Reed |def. |Cory McKenna |Decision (split) (27–30, 29–28, 29–28) |3 |5:00 | }} {{MMAevent bout |Flyweight |Muhammad Mokaev |def. |Cody Durden |Submission (guillotine choke) |1 |0:58 | }} {{MMAevent end|notes=yes}} <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ufc.com/event/ufc-fight-night-march-19-2022|title=UFC Fight Night: Volkov vs. Aspinall|publisher=Ultimate Fighting Championship|access-date=2021-01-25|archive-date=26 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220126042309/https://www.ufc.com/event/ufc-fight-night-march-19-2022|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Bonus awards== The following fighters received $50,000.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mmamania.com/2022/3/19/22986417/ufc-london-official-bonus-winners-results-volkov-aspinall-espn-allen-pimblett-mccann-topuria-craig|title=UFC London bonuses: Every finish on the card receives $50K|publisher=mmamania.com|author=Dan Hiergesell|date=2022-03-19|access-date=2022-03-19|archive-date=20 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320004752/https://www.mmamania.com/2022/3/19/22986417/ufc-london-official-bonus-winners-results-volkov-aspinall-espn-allen-pimblett-mccann-topuria-craig|url-status=live}}</ref> While the UFC usually gives out four bonus awards for each event, a record of nine post-fight bonuses were given out to each fighter who secured a finish.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/lists/ufc-fight-night-204-london-bonuses-nine-fighters-50000-knockouts-submissions-paddy-pimblett-molly-mccann|title=UFC Fight Night 204 bonuses: Nine fighters go home with $50,000|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Matt Erickson|date=2022-03-19|access-date=2022-03-19|archive-date=28 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221128005034/https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/lists/ufc-fight-night-204-london-bonuses-nine-fighters-50000-knockouts-submissions-paddy-pimblett-molly-mccann|url-status=live}}</ref> *'''Fight of the Night:''' No bonus awarded. * '''Performance of the Night: Tom Aspinall''', '''Arnold Allen''', '''Paddy Pimblett''', '''Molly McCann''', '''Ilia Topuria''', '''Makwan Amirkhani''', '''Sergei Pavlovich''', '''Paul Craig''', and '''Muhammad Mokaev'''
==Aftermath== The event was widely regarded by the MMA media as the best event of 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://combatpress.com/2023/01/combat-press-2022-mma-awards-event-of-the-year-ufc-fight-night-volkov-vs-aspinall/|title=Combat Press 2022 MMA Awards: Event of the Year – UFC Fight Night: Volkov vs. Aspinall|date=January 25, 2023|publisher=combatpress.com|author=Matthew Petela|access-date=6 February 2023|archive-date=6 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230206141234/https://combatpress.com/2023/01/combat-press-2022-mma-awards-event-of-the-year-ufc-fight-night-volkov-vs-aspinall/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mmamania.com/2022/12/25/23509780/ufc-mma-events-of-the-year-2022-top-5-list|title=UFC/MMA 'Events of the Year' 2022 - Top 5 List|date=December 25, 2022|publisher=mmamania.com|author=Patrick L. Stumberg|access-date=6 February 2023|archive-date=6 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230206141235/https://www.mmamania.com/2022/12/25/23509780/ufc-mma-events-of-the-year-2022-top-5-list|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2022/12/30/mma-2022-review-event/|title=MMA 2022 Year in Review: Event of the Year|date=December 30, 2022|publisher=cagesidepress.com|access-date=6 February 2023|archive-date=6 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230206141234/https://cagesidepress.com/2022/12/30/mma-2022-review-event/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2023/01/ufc-fight-night-204-london-mma-junkie-awards-event-of-year-2022|title=MMA Junkie's 2022 Event of the Year: UFC Fight Night 204, London|date=January 2, 2023|work=MMAjunkie.com|author=Matt Erickson|access-date=6 February 2023|archive-date=6 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230206141234/https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2023/01/ufc-fight-night-204-london-mma-junkie-awards-event-of-year-2022|url-status=live}}</ref>
== See also == {{Portal|Martial Arts}}
* List of UFC events * List of current UFC fighters * 2022 in UFC
== References == {{Reflist}}
{{UFC Events}} {{2022 in mixed martial arts}}
Category:UFC Fight Night Category:2022 in mixed martial arts Category:March 2022 sports events in the United Kingdom Category:2022 in sport in London Category:Mixed martial arts in the United Kingdom