So the main event at UFC London ended up being somewhat of an anti-climax as English heavyweight Tom Aspinall suffered a fight-ending injury just 15 seconds in, handing victory to Curtis Blaydes.

But there was plenty for the home crowd to cheer as Paddy Pimblett and Molly McCann boosted their ever-increasing profiles by claiming thrilling victories at the O2.

There were also wins from the British contingent on the prelims, with Jai Herbert, Muhammad Mokaev, Nathaniel Wood and Marc Diakiese all victorious.

Thanks for joining us for another eventful night in London. Now click here if you want to read more from Paul Battison on tonight's headliner or watch highlights of Friday's Bellator 283 event here.

Two days after his win over Rodrigo Vargas in London in March, Paddy Pimblett consumed almost 11,000 calories - nearly 5,000 of which were from chocolate.

Click here to check out exactly what Paddy managed to devour that day.

Paul Battison
BBC Sport at the O2 Arena

Tom Aspinall's fight against Curtis Blaydes ended in disappointment as the Briton suffered a knee injury 15 seconds into their bout at UFC London on Saturday night.

After a couple of early exchanges, Aspinall, 29, crumpled to the canvas, clutching his knee in pain.

American Blaydes was declared the winner by technical knockout.

"I wish the injury hadn't happened, we didn't get to see who was better," said Blaydes.

It's been a sad night for Tom Aspinall and his team.

But Molly McCann and Paddy Pimblett are still having fun after their wins earlier. Here they are with their new mate Stormzy.

BT Sport

"It is awful. I had a quick chat with the doctor and he thinks it's the MCL. It's an extremely agonising injury," Michael Bisping says on the BT Sport broadcast.

"Tom is a warrior, Curtis is all class and it's so sad.

"Injuries happen, it's a freak occurrence but it's sometimes part of the sport."

"It's almost like we didn't even fight," Curtis Blaydes said.

"I wanted to come here and make a statement. I know a win over him would have shown the world that I'm ready for a title shot, that I’m legit.

"I wish the injury hadn't happened. We never really got an opportunity to showcase our skills."

Horrible scenes, get well soon Tom Aspinall!

Curtis Blaydes is declared the winner by TKO. It's probably the most hollow victory of his career though.

Image source, Getty Images

Tom Aspinall is back on his feet, but his right leg is in a protective case and he can barely put any weight on his foot.

Everyone's in a state of disbelief. No-one wants a main event to finish like this.

Image source, Getty

This is not looking good people. Tom Aspinall is in a lot of pain and is still lying on the canvas as his team and medical staff come into the octagon to see to the English heavyweight.

Ouch!published at 22:57 British Summer Time 23 July 2022

22:57 BST 23 July 2022

Aspinall v Blaydes

Oh no... just 15 seconds in, Tom Aspinall catches Curtis Blaydes with a leg kick but then steps back and immediately clutches his right knee.

The fight is stopped.

Paul Battison's report from the arena on Paddy Pimblett and Molly McCann's back-to-back finishes is now ready for your consumption.

Just in time before the main event.

Cameroon's Francis Ngannou is the UFC heavyweight champion but isn't likely to fight until 2023 after having knee surgery in March.

That has raised the possibility of an interim title being created, with a fight between Stipe Miocic and Jon Jones being touted, external.

With fellow top-ranked heavyweights Ciryl Gane and Tai Tuivasa meeting at UFC Paris in September, the immediate future of the division is exciting, but remains unclear.

Whatever the UFC matchmakers decide, Aspinall is confident he will eventually win the title.

"I'm gonna be a UFC champion one day in the next 10 years, that's inevitable," said Aspinall.

"I try not to think too far into the future in general though - not just in fighting, but in life.

"I'm not trying to think what's going on in six months, or a year, or six years, I'm just taking it day by day - and right now I'm fighting Curtis Blaydes. That's all I'm thinking about."

Image source, BBC Sport/Getty

What do you reckon? Who's winning this? Thumbs up for Blaydes, thumbs down for Aspinall.

Both men come into the fight on the back of impressive wins in March. Tom Aspinall earned a first-round submission over Alexander Volkov in London, while Curtis Blaydes knocked out Chris Daukaus in Ohio.

Aspinall is unbeaten in the UFC, winning all five of his fights since joining the promotion in 2020, in a run which has seen the Manchester-born fighter move up to sixth in the heavyweight rankings.

Blaydes, meanwhile, has won 11 of his 15 bouts since signing for the UFC six years ago.

Aspinall says Britons have struggled against wrestling-heavy opponents previously in the UFC, but it will not have an effect on the fight.

"The wrestling has been weak here in the past but luckily for me we're not having a wrestling match, we're having an MMA fight," said Aspinall.

"I'm dangerous everywhere so for him to think 'he's just an English guy - he's got no wrestling' - that would be sweet if we're wrestling, but we're not. He better be ready for everything."