Main Card Breakdown | UFC London
The UFC returns to London, England, on March 22nd, 2025, for an electrifying event at the O2 Arena. The card will be headlined by a welterweight clash between former champion Leon Edwards and rising contender Sean Brady. It promises a mix of high-stakes matchups, local talent, and intriguing stylistic battles.
Main Event: Leon Edwards vs. Sean Brady (Welterweight)
Background and Stakes:
Leon Edwards, the Birmingham native and former UFC welterweight champion, steps into the Octagon with a point to prove. After losing his title to Belal Muhammad in July 2024 at UFC 304, Edwards (22-4) ended a remarkable 12-fight unbeaten streak that included victories over Kamaru Usman (twice) and Colby Covington. At 33, “Rocky” remains the No. 1-ranked welterweight, but this fight is about more than rankings—it’s about redemption in front of his home crowd. Originally slated to face Jack Della Maddalena, Edwards now meets Sean Brady after Della Maddalena was pulled to challenge Muhammad for the title at UFC 315.
Sean Brady (17-1), ranked No. 5, is a Philadelphia-bred grappler on a mission. His lone loss came via TKO to Belal Muhammad in 2022, but he’s since rebounded with decision wins over Kelvin Gastelum and Gilbert Burns. At 32, Brady’s blend of relentless wrestling and improving striking makes him a dark horse in the division. A win over Edwards could vault him into title contention, especially with Shavkat Rakhmonov sidelined by injury.
Stylistic Breakdown:
Edwards is a technical marvel, a southpaw with a crisp jab, devastating elbows, and a knack for controlling range. His clinch work, honed over years, shredded Covington, while his head-kick dead knockout of Usman in 2022 remains one of the UFC’s most iconic moments. Against wrestlers, Edwards has shown resilience, stuffing Usman’s takedowns and outlasting Muhammad in their first meeting (a no-contest due to an eye poke). However, his title loss exposed a vulnerability: when pressured relentlessly, his output can wane.
Brady, conversely, thrives in the grind. His wrestling is suffocating, chaining takedowns with a bulldog-like tenacity. Against Burns, he showcased improved striking, landing sharp counters while avoiding the Brazilian’s power. Brady’s game plan will likely hinge on closing distance, forcing Edwards against the cage, and dragging him to the mat. His submission threat—nine career finishes—looms large, but he’ll need to navigate Edwards’ long limbs and punishing knees in the clinch.
Analysis:
This five-rounder is a chess match between Edwards’ spacing and Brady’s pressure. Edwards has the edge in striking precision and cage generalship, but Brady’s durability and wrestling could turn it into a war of attrition. The O2’s larger cage favors Edwards’ movement, allowing him to skirt around Brady and pick him apart.
Co-Main Event: Jan Błachowicz vs. Carlos Ulberg (Light Heavyweight)
Background and Stakes:
Jan Błachowicz (29-10-1), the former light heavyweight king, returns after a lengthy layoff. The 42-year-old Pole last fought in December 2022, drawing with Magomed Ankalaev in a title bout marred by controversy. Injuries and a title loss to Glover Teixeira in 2021 have slowed his momentum but wins over Israel Adesanya and Aleksandar Rakić prove he’s still a force. Facing Carlos Ulberg, Błachowicz aims to reassert his relevance in a division now ruled by Alex Pereira.
Carlos Ulberg (12-1), a 34-year-old New Zealander training out of City Kickboxing, is riding a seven-fight win streak. His lone loss came in his 2021 UFC debut, but knockouts of Tafon Nchukwi, Kennedy Nzechukwu, and Alonzo Menifield have marked him as a breakout star. With Pereira as a teammate, Ulberg’s stock is soaring, and a win over Błachowicz could fast-track him to a title shot.
Stylistic Breakdown:
Błachowicz brings “Polish Power”—a blend of thudding strikes and sneaky grappling. His knockout of Luke Rockhold and submission of Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza highlight his versatility. At range, he’s a sniper with his left hook, but his takedown defense (74%) and ability to scramble back to his feet make him tough to control. Age and ring rust, however, could dull his explosiveness.
Ulberg is a striker’s dream, tall (6’4”), rangy, and viciously fast. His kickboxing background shines in his pinpoint jab and crippling leg kicks, while his six knockouts in eight UFC fights underscore his finishing ability. Against Menifield, he showed composure under pressure, but his grappling remains untested against elite competition. He’ll want to keep this a kickboxing match, where his youth and speed could overwhelm Błachowicz.
Analysis:
This feels like a passing-of-the-torch moment. Błachowicz’s experience gives him an edge if he can drag Ulberg into deep waters or land a fight-altering bomb. However, Ulberg’s athleticism and striking dynamism are tailor-made to exploit an aging fighter’s slower reactions.
Gunnar Nelson vs. Kevin Holland (Welterweight)
Background and Stakes:
Gunnar Nelson (19-5-1), Iceland’s grappling maestro, returns after a two-year hiatus. The 36-year-old last fought in March 2023, submitting Bryan Barberena. A jiu-jitsu black belt under Renzo Gracie, Nelson’s 13 submission wins speak to his ground dominance. Facing Kevin Holland, he looks to climb back into the welterweight top 15.
Kevin Holland (26-11), the 32-year-old Texan, is a fan favorite known for his charisma and unorthodox striking. With a 2-4 record in his last six, including losses to Jack Della Maddalena and Michael Page, Holland’s inconsistency has stalled his rise. Still, his knockout power and resilience make him dangerous. A win here could stabilize his career trajectory.
Stylistic Breakdown:
Nelson is a predator on the mat, with a calm, methodical approach to securing takedowns and chaining submissions. His striking is functional but limited, relying on feints to close distance. Against Barberena, he showed he can still dominate when the fight hits the ground, but his long layoff raises questions about his sharpness.
Holland, at 6’3” with an 81-inch reach, is a nightmare standing. His jab and front kicks disrupt rhythm, while his trash-talking unnerves opponents. His grappling defense has improved—he escaped D’arce attempts from Page—but Nelson’s elite jiu-jitsu is a different beast. Holland’s key is keeping it upright, where his creativity shines.
Analysis:
This is striker vs. grappler at its finest. Nelson will hunt for takedowns, but Holland’s length and takedown defense (53%) could frustrate him. If Nelson can’t ground Holland early, he risks being picked apart. Holland’s recent losses suggest vulnerability, but his durability likely tips the scales in his favor.
Molly McCann vs. Alexia Thainara (Women’s Strawweight)
Background and Stakes:
Molly McCann (14-6), Liverpool’s “Meatball,” is a local hero with a rabid fanbase. After a 1-4 skid at flyweight, she dropped to strawweight, submitting Diana Belbiţă in February 2024. At 34, McCann needs a win to build momentum in her new division and thrill the London crowd.
Alexia Thainara (11-1), a 29-year-old Brazilian, enters on a six-fight win streak. Her UFC debut saw her outpoint Bruna Brasil in August 2024, showcasing crisp striking and solid grappling. Relatively unknown, Thainara has a chance to spoil McCann’s homecoming and announce herself as a contender.
Stylistic Breakdown:
McCann is a brawler with heart, throwing looping hooks and elbows in close quarters. Her submission of Belbiţă revealed newfound ground skills, but her aggressive style leaves openings. Against Thainara, she’ll rely on pressure and the crowd’s energy to overwhelm.
Thainara is a technician, blending Muay Thai with a slick ground game (five submission wins). Her jab and low kicks control distance, and her 71% takedown defense could neutralize McCann’s forward march. She’s poised but untested against someone as relentless as McCann.
Analysis:
McCann’s tenacity meets Thainara’s polish in a classic clash. The Brit’s pressure could force Thainara into a firefight, where McCann thrives. However, Thainara’s composure and versatility might exploit McCann’s wildness.
Jordan Vucenic vs. Chris Duncan (Lightweight)
Background and Stakes:
Jordan Vucenic (13-2), a 29-year-old Englishman and former Cage Warriors champ, rides a four-fight win streak into his second UFC bout. His debut knockout of Ricardo Ramos in August 2024 turned heads, and a win here could push him toward the rankings.
Chris Duncan (11-2), a 31-year-old Scot, has won three of his last four, including a knockout of Bolaji Oki in February 2024. Known for his aggression, Duncan aims to derail Vucenic’s hype train and claim a scalp for Team Scotland.
Stylistic Breakdown:
Vucenic is a well-rounded finisher, with seven knockouts and four submissions. His rangy striking and opportunistic grappling overwhelmed Ramos, and his 6’1” frame gives him an edge at 155 pounds. He’s calm under fire, a trait that could neutralize Duncan’s chaos.
Duncan is a bulldozer, swinging heavy hands and hunting knockouts (nine of 11 wins). His wrestling is decent, but his defense is porous—both losses came via finish. He’ll charge Vucenic, banking on power to end it early.
Analysis:
Duncan’s aggression could catch Vucenic off-guard, but the Englishman’s technical edge and finishing instincts should shine in this matchup.
Final Thoughts
UFC London’s main card is a tapestry of narratives: Edwards’ redemption, Ulberg’s ascent, Nelson’s return, McCann’s grit, and Vucenic’s rise. Each fight offers a unique flavor, from technical mastery to raw violence, ensuring a memorable night at the O2. With local stars and international flair, this event could reshape divisions and launch new contenders into the spotlight.
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