As the UFC returns to the O2 Arena, fan resentment has been bubbling up for some time. The promotion often appears ignorant to this sentiment, or stubborn enough to resist trying to quell it. Against this backdrop of growing criticism, the latest edition of UFC London takes place, with a card that raises eyebrows and lowers expectations.
The main event pits unbeaten featherweights Lerone Murphy and Movsar Evloev, one of the only bouts on the card that feels above scrutiny. The winner should be next for champion Alexander Volkanovski, but there are no assurances. Fellow contender Jean Silva has hinted at a title fight in his near future, and with major main events scheduled until July, the winner could wait until the end of the year to challenge for the belt – if they are permitted to at all.
The co-main event sees Liverpool's Luke Riley face US featherweight Michael Aswell Jr, as Riley competes in the UFC for just the second time. The UFC is clearly capitalising on Riley's relationship with teammate Paddy Pimblett, who will walk him out. Then there is Michael 'Venom' Page's showdown with Sam Patterson, an all-British bout between former training partners. Page has expressed frustration with the match-up, noting Patterson's lack of ranking and his own high standing at welterweight and middleweight.
UFC stalwart Nathaniel Wood, one of the only Londoners on the card, has been confined to the prelims in a fight with an unranked foe. British-Portuguese heavyweight Mario Pinto is similarly unfortunate to be on the prelims after viral moments in his first two UFC outings. The card would look better if the bout order were restructured, but the UFC's matchmaking decisions have been under scrutiny.
Ultimately, UFC London is sneakily important. The promotion must decide whether to grant Murphy or Evloev a title shot, and whether to address fan concerns about meritocracy. The event could either quell or intensify the surging sentiment that the UFC is not making the fights fans want to see.
