The Bottom Line: The Next Generation of MMA Royalty

One of the treats that comes with MMA’s top promotions’ return to touring is that we get to see major events again from Europe. The enthusiasm of European MMA fans is unsurpassed anywhere, particularly when it comes to their local fighters. The atmosphere at the O2 Arena in London in March for the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s homecoming was electric, really enhancing what was already an exciting card. UFC Fight Night 208, which takes place Saturday in the same arena, promises more of the same. The scene could get bigger still if a new generation of British stars is able to break through. There’s no better atmosphere than an already enthusiastic and knowledgeable MMA city that then develops a superstar fighter to root for.

Typically hot London crowds have been energized recently by the emergence of Paddy Pimblett and the development of “Meatball” Molly McCann, one of the most likable duos in the sport. If Dana White's Contender Series ever gets an alternate commentary again following the early days of the show with Snoop Dogg, you could do a lot worse than Pimblett and McCann with a couple of pitchers of beer. It’s no accident they find themselves featured prominently on the main card of Saturday’s event, with Pimblett’s fight taking place after that of three-time title challenger Alexander Gustafsson.

It wasn’t that long ago that Gustafsson was headlining in front of 30,000 fans in Sweden and Pimblett’s placement above him—in addition to his placement above Gunnar Nelson in his last fight—speaks to the UFC’s investment in the young man with the mop-top. It remains to be seen if Pimblett and McCann can fight at the championship level, but they both have star qualities as personalities and have won their last two fights in the Octagon.

Regardless of where Pimblett and McCann end up, along with other regional prospects such as rising contender Arnold Allen, Ian Garry and Jack Shore, the most immediate threat from the area to join Leon Edwards in the title picture is the Englishman in the main event, Tom Aspinall. With five consecutive stoppages against a relatively stout collection of UFC talent, Aspinall has announced his presence in a big way. With a win Saturday, Aspinall could find himself fighting for the UFC heavyweight title before the end of 2023.

European MMA in general is on the rise. The UFC heavyweight champion is French, while the UFC light heavyweight king is Czech and one of his top challengers is from Poland. Russia has become one of the hotbeds of the sport, producing top contenders in practically every weight class. Broadly speaking, however, the European MMA ascent has been situated mostly in Eastern Europe. The Atlantic Archipelago still has only produced two UFC champions: Michael Bisping and Conor McGregor. Bisping is now retired, while McGregor’s career is clearly on the descent, leaving the hopes of British and Irish fans on a few current fighters.

Edwards is the only fighter from the United Kingdom or Ireland on the verge of a title shot in any division, unless the UFC decides to throw up its hands and gift McGregor another shot coming off two straight losses. However, Edwards’ fighting style and low-key personality haven’t connected with fans like his countrymen Michael Page, Darren Till or Paul Daley. If he can beat Kamaru Usman for the title in Salt Lake City next month, it would be such a prodigious accomplishment that he’d be a made man locally anyway. However, if he doesn’t pull off the upset, it seems unlikely he’ll be the next English superstar in the mold of Bisping. Till seemed like the best chance to fill Bisping’s shoes, but that dream seems increasingly unlikely to ever be realized.

That brings us back to Aspinall, who isn’t the most boisterous of personalities but who has delivered in a big way in the cage. To receive four performance bonuses in his first five fights while steadily moving up in competition level is an impressive feat. Now, he gets pretty much the perfect test in Curtis Blaydes, the perpetually underappreciated force who has beaten a smorgasbord of different styles while only losing when stopped by the most powerful hitters in the sport. He’s also demonstrated improved striking to go with his dangerous ground game, making him an even trickier opponent to deal with.

A win over Blaydes would affirm Aspinall’s quality for years to come. To happen in the main event of a big London show would make it resonate all the more. It’s a big breakthrough opportunity, but it’s also a very difficult ask. The fact Aspinall is actually favored in the fight speaks to the confidence fans have in him. Now he has to prove that faith isn’t misplaced. If he can, there’s a good chance he’ll be headlining shows in the UK for years to come. If he can’t, the fans in London are likely to be awfully pumped up for the next show anyway.