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UFC Fight Night 204 Highlights: Tom Aspinall Submits Alexander Volkov Atop An All-Time Card

MMA UFC
Ewan Ross Mar 19, 2022 6:52PM

The UFC returned to the UK for the first time in over three years, and returned with one of the greatest Fight Nights the promotion has ever put on. Top to bottom the card was full of thrilling finishes, and great fights. Check all the highlights after the jump.

Max Holloway KO's Justin Gaethje In Buzzer Beater Throwdown Finish At UFC 300

*Note, the UFC's social media policy has seemingly changed and its very difficult to find non-geoblocked videos, so I've attempted to find other sources, but it may be limited outside the United States.

Tom Aspinall def. Alexander Volkov via Submission (Straight Arm-Lock)(Rd, 1 3:45)

The UFC has a new heavyweight contender, as Tom Aspinall dominated Alexander Volkov in all aspects of the game. Aspinall not only showed off the striking he's known for, but also showed great reactive takedowns, and then finished the fight with a strongman submission. At just 28 years old Aspinall is but a mere infant in the heavyweight division, and his callout of Tai Tuivasa after the fight is a perfect one to set him up for a title shot.

Arnold Allen def. Dan Hooker via TKO (Punches) (Rd. 1 2:33)

Arnold Allen won with an exclamation point flurrying on Dan Hooker and getting the finish midway through the first round. Allen has been lurking under the radar for years now, and this could be his coming out party over a name opponent like Hooker. Post-fight, Allen called out Calvin Katter for what should be a banger featherweight contender fight.

Paddy Pimblett def. Kazula Vargas via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) (Rd. 1 3:50)

The hype train continues, as Paddy Pimblett survived an early scare via a knockdown from Kazula Vargas, but was able to fight back to his feet and score a high amplitude judo takedown. After that Pimblett was able to showcase his plus ground skills and get the finish. Post-fight he said a bunch of words on the mic, that I understood about half of, but he showed off his personality that the UFC is fully behind.

Gunnar Nelson def. Takashi Sato via Unanimous Decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)

Gunnar Nelson completely dominated Takashi Sato over 15 minutes, spending the majority of the fight in full back-mount, raining chipping shots and hunting for a rear-naked choke that never came. Not the most thrilling bout, but a complete whitewash for Nelson in his return from injury.

Molly McCann def. Luana Carolina via Knockout (Spinning Back-elbow) (Rd. 3 1:52)

Meatball put on a show, as Molly McCann flurried in every round, and completely dominated Luana Carolina before scoring a knockout of the year contender with a devastating spinning back-elbow to put Carolina to sleep.

Ilia Topuria def. Jai Herbert via Knockout (Punch) (Rd. 2 1:07)

Ilia Topuria scored a dramatic comeback victory over Jai Herbert. Herbert came out fast, scoring a huge headkick knockdown, which Topuria was able to survive and even secure a takedown. After clearly dropping the first, Topuria came out in the second and devastated Herbert with a brutal body-head combo to score the walkoff knockout victory. Post-fight Topuria called out Paddy Pimblett, furthering their beef that had been started during the week.

Makwan Amirkhani def. Mike Grundy via Submission (Anaconda Choke (Rd. 1 0:57)

With his back against the wall after three consecutive losses, Makwan Amirkhani got a lightning-quick submission victory over Mike Grundy. Grundy shot in for a takedown but was trapped in a front choke, and was able to adjust and get the finish. Interestingly, there were no strikes landed, just the 7th like that in UFC history.

Sergei Pavlovich def. Shamil Abdurakhimov via TKO (Ground and Pound) (Rd. 1 4:03)

Sergei Pavlovich returned to the UFC after over two years away from the cage and got a quick stoppage victory over his former training partner Shamil Abdurakhimov. Many of the final blows on the ground did appear to be to the back of the head, but that's a rule that's never called, and the fight was largely already over.

Paul Craig def. Nikita Krylov via Submission (Triangle-Choke) (Rd. 1 3:57)

Paul Craig spent almost 4 whole minutes underneath Nikita Krylov, absorbing massive ground and pound damage, only to score a massive hail mary submission victory, as has become his signature. Krylov got over-agressive trying to get the finish, and Craig was able to throw up his legs and secure the triangle choke. Craig called out Anthony Smith post-fight for a main event in Glasgow later this year.

Jack Shore def. Timur Valiev via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-27)

In a barn-burner, Jack Shore got the decision victory over Timur Valiev. Shore and Valiev went back and forth for the first two rounds, showcasing excellent techniques. Shore took over in the final stanza, getting two knockdowns, and then securing a takedown and surviving a guillotine attempt to get the decision. One of the best fights I've seen all year, and you should try and find it.

Elise Reed def. Cory McKenna via Split Decision (29-28, 29-28, 27-30)

In a close decision victory, Elise Reed edged out Cory McKenna. McKenna secured takedowns in both the first and third rounds, but was largely outstruck on the feet. Competitive fight, that could've gone either way.

Mohammed Mokaev def. Cody Durden via Submission (Guillotine Choke) (Rd. 1 0:58)

Top flyweight prospect Mohammed Mokaev made a statement in his UFC debut by running over Cody Durden in just under a minute. Mokaev caught Durden with a flying knee, and transitioned brilliantly into a modified guillotine that he was able to finish from half-guard. A great way to start the card, and Mokaev is definitely one to watch going forward.

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