Revealed: UFC lastly announce date of their London return as Paddy Pimblett is instantly known as out for the primary occasion

The UFC is set to finally return to London almost two years after its last visit to the O2 in July 2023, with a date now confirmed for the long-awaited event.

That night, heavyweight star Tom Aspinall, from Salford, knocked out Polish fighter Marcin Tybura just 73 seconds into the first round in front of a raucous 15,000-strong crowd at the venue.

The 31-year-old backed this up with an even quicker knockout in a rematch against Curtis Blaydes in Manchester in July, fuelling calls for the Brit to be given a shot against Jon Jones for the UFC Heavyweight title.

The UFC headed to London twice in 2023 with Leon Edwards beating Kamaru Usman by decision in the main event of a stacked card in March.

Now the franchise is gearing up for a much-anticipated 18th visit to London amid the growing popularity of mixed martial arts in Britain.

UFC is returning to London two years after Tom Aspinall beat Marcin Tybura in the last event

The interim heavyweight champion followed up his win by knocking out Curtis Blaydes in Manchester in July

Leon ‘Rocky’ Edwards was well beaten to spoil the party in Manchester in the headline event 

And the date has finally been set, with fighters set to flock to the capital from across the world on March 22, 2025.

The UFC Europe X account posted: ‘London, we are back in PRIME TIME. Our #UFCLondon return is official for Saturday 22 March.’

It confirmed that tickets for the event would be available on general sale from January 24. 

Barely minutes had passed by the time fighters started calling each other out for the Fight Night, with Liverpudlian fighter Paddy ‘the Baddy’ Pimblett among those touted for a big bout in the event.

Brazilian lightweight Renato Moicano said: ‘UFC London Main event !? Moicano vs Pimblett!? What do you guys think!?’ 

Pimblett, 29, is on a phenomenal winning streak of eight fights, most recently beating American King Green with a triangle choke in the first round of their bout in Manchester in what was named Performance of the Night.

That event, UFC 304, attracted 17,907 fans to the Co-op Live arena but drew criticism for its bizarre scheduling, which saw the preliminary fights begin at 11pm and the main card at 3am.

Nonetheless, the card delivered for entertainment and, just minutes after Pimblett’s electrifying victory, Aspinall dispatched Blaydes in a win which acted as redemption for his defeat to the American in 2022 courtesy of a freak knee injury.

Paddy Pimblett has already been called out by Renato Moicano after his win in Manchester

Aspinall meanwhile has his sights on heavyweight champ Jon Jones who fights this weekend

Edwards lit up UFC 286 in London in March 2023 and will be looking to return to those heights

The display was a boost to any hopes of a prospective fight with Jones is now and Aspinall’s message to the American – who is fighting Stipe Miocic this weekend- was simple: ‘Hello Jon. I have nothing against you personally, but I just think I’m better than you.

‘If you think you’re the best heavyweight in the world, let’s settle it, simple as that.’ 

Edwards, meanwhile, disappointed home fans hopeful of a performance to match his memorable wins over Usman in 2022 and 2023, with Belal Muhammad making it 11 successive victories and the ‘Rocky’ reign coming to a deflating end.

The cards read 48-47, 48-47, 49-46 and Edwards tasted defeat for the first time in a decade. 

Last time out in London, Aspinall picked up a $50,000 bonus as he headlined at the O2, but home favourite Molly McCann slumped to defeat against Lithuanian flyweight Julija Stoliarenko courtesy of an arm bar in the fight’s second minute. 

Fans will be eagerly awaiting word on who will be fighting on March’s card but the UFC have not confirmed any names as yet.