Home of Fight Expert Picks: UFC London

UFC London

This weekend, the UFC returns to London’s O2 Arena with a stacked card featuring some of the sport’s most intriguing matchups. The main event pits former welterweight champion Leon Edwards against rising star Sean Brady. Edwards, seeking redemption after his title loss, faces a formidable grappler in Brady, who has recently defeated Gilbert Burns and Kelvin Gastelum.

In the co-main event, Jan Blachowicz takes on Carlos Ulberg in a light heavyweight clash. Blachowicz, a seasoned veteran, looks to capitalize on his experience against the aggressive newcomer Ulberg. Another notable bout is Gunnar Nelson vs. Kevin Holland, a classic striker vs. grappler matchup that promises excitement.

The event also features local talents like Molly McCann and Nathaniel Wood, adding to the electric atmosphere. With title implications and career-defining moments on the line, UFC London promises to be an unforgettable night for MMA fans. 

The Home of Fight Experts are here to help put cash into your pockets for this stacked fight night event, so let’s see what they have cooking for this weekend!

Leon Edwards vs. Sean Brady

• HayJive – Sean Brady

“Tough one to call but I’m going to take Brady on the pure fact that I think his style is very similar to a Belal Muhammad. I think he can get the takedowns and snowball some early momentum to take over the fight.”

• Nolan (TheParlay) – Leon Edwards

“I’m buying low on Leon. He had a bad outing against Belal but was unbeaten in 12 fights before that. He’s shown he can beat wrestlers like Kamaru Usman, and he will hold a striking advantage in this fight once again. Brady needs to fight the perfect fight to win.”

• JJ (TheOctagonKings) – Leon Edwards

“I’m going to keep this simple. This is the fifth straight time Leon has been fighting a wrestler, and he’s been successful 4 out of those 5 times. Brady while a great grappler, can struggle if the takedowns don’t come as easy, and normally Leon Edwards can pick Brady apart while defending that threat, since Sean’s pressure based striking is not as good.”

• Austin Swaim – Sean Brady

“Leon Edwards’ ability to stuff takedowns in the second Usman bout was really just a one-time display. Enter the best takedown threat and top game at 170. Brady’s problem against Muhammad was getting stuck at distance, and I just can’t see that when Rocky is so willing to be resigned to the fence. I don’t think the American finishes him, though.”

• Corrie – Sean Brady

“Going with Sean Brady here, I think he’s able to take this fight wherever it needs to be… If it goes to the mat I could see him finishing Leon but I could also see him being able to go the full 25 minutes on the feet should need be.”

• The Fight Analyst – Sean Brady

“This is another bad stylistic matchup for Leon Edwards going against a strong grappler with cardio to keep that pace over 25 minutes. As long as Brady is utilizing his grappling, he will make Edwards work, eventually slowing him down. That’s where Brady drags him into deep waters and either gets the late finish or the nod on the judge’s scorecards.”

Jan Blachowicz vs. Carlos Ulberg

• HayJive – Carlos Ulberg

“I expect Age and injuries to play a big factor here for Jan. Once upon a time I would be picking Jan, but Ulberg has all the momentum and the skills to back it up. Ulberg will dance around a slower Jan and could find that shot to put him out.”

• Nolan (TheParlay) – Carlos Ulberg

“Jan is now 42 years old, coming off injuries, and I didn’t like the cardio I saw against Alex Pereira. Carlos will be much faster, better footwork, and if Jan struggles with the takedowns I think he’s going to take some damage here.”

• JJ (TheOctagonKings) – Carlos Ulberg

“Jan is an older former champion, skilled, smart and durable. If this was two years ago, I would be rushing to bet Jan as a +200 underdog, but recovering from a tough injury at 42 years of age, against a fast, younger fighter, is not appealing. Ulberg will look to pick Jan from the outside, not risking inside the pocket. I could see Jan having moments of success mixing the grappling up, for a solid 29-28 Ulberg win.”

• Austin Swaim – Carlos Ulberg

“Why is everyone down on Ulberg for a tough decision with Oezdemir? He’ll now enter a top five at 205 pounds with extremely vulnerable contenders, including an aging Jan Blachowicz. Jan’s extreme layoff here only exacerbates fears he may have lost a step. I like a (T)KO.”

• Corrie – Jan Blachowicz

“A lot of people are hot on Uhlberg but I’m taking the dog on this one. Uhlberg has insane knockout power for sure but Blachowicz is a really durable guy who’s been in the octagon with some better fighters…So personally I think this goes to the judges and it will be the UFC vet winning the decision.”

• The Fight Analyst – Carlos Ulberg

“Initially I wanted to take the high-level experience of Jan Blachowicz over Carlos Ulberg, but the age and speed of Ulberg will be the difference maker in this fight. Also, with this fight being the first one for Blachowicz in almost 2 years after being out due to injury gives more of a reason to back the younger Ulberg to stay on the outside and outstrike Blachowicz to a unanimous decision.”

Gunnar Nelson vs. Kevin Holland

• HayJive – Kevin Holland

“This is a great but low spot on Holland going back to a weight class that he should be at. Nelson’s age and inactivity could show here against Holland who can handle himself much better against welterweight grapplers.”

• Nolan (TheParlay) – Kevin Holland

“This is tough to pick, and Kevin will need to defend takedowns here but I believe this is an easier matchup for him compared to his last few fights. Gunnar is talking about retirement, while Kevin’s back in against the wall and needs a win badly.”

• JJ (TheOctagonKings) – Kevin Holland

“Holland is a fighter the UFC like seeing win. They like building other fighters on his name, and this is not the case with Nelson. A smaller fighter, with a 9 inch disadvantage over Holland with a 59% takedown accuracy is not ideal against Holland who has made a career over outclassing smaller fighters on the feet.”

• Austin Swaim – Kevin Holland

“Amazing matchup for Big Mouth to get back on track. He’s had immense success against welterweights defending takedowns, and his power and speed will be frightening for Nelson at distance. I think he finds an early stoppage without much doubt.”

• Corrie – Gunnar Nelson

“Gunnar’s two year lay off makes me nervous here, especially going up against somebody who’s been more active and is 4 years younger and 4 inches taller but out of Gunnar’s 19 wins, 14 were submissions and for whatever reason, Kevin Holland has a kink for getting submitted lately and has lost almost double the amount of decisions he’s one. Give me Gunnar here.”

• The Fight Analyst – Kevin Holland

“This is a get-right fight for Kevin Holland who’s just had a murderous row of tough matchups. Gunnar Nelson is a one-note grappler who can’t strike and has cardio issues. Holland sports a 4” height and 9” reach advantage which should him stay on the outside and punish Nelson as he tries to enter range. Also at 170 lbs, Holland is 2-0 when he ALLOWS a takedown. Expect things to look dicey early but once Nelson hits any type of adversity and can’t land the takedown Holland capitalizes and puts him away midway through the fight to get back on track.”

Molly McCann vs. Alexia Thainara

• HayJive – Alexia Thainara

“This is a big spot to make your UFC debut in, especially on short notice. However I think stylistically, Thainara is a tough matchup for McCann. I think Thainara wins it with her grappling here.”

• Nolan (TheParlay) – Molly McCann

“Thainara has potential but she’s making her debut on short notice in enemy territory across the world. McCann has flaws on the ground but she also has experience, better striking, and more ways to win.”

• JJ (TheOctagonKings) – Molly McCann

“This is a risky fight for Molly. At home, in front of her crowd, looking to right her wrongs about her last few native land shows. Thainara is a great submission specialist, but on the feet, she’s too open, and Molly has shown improvements with her grappling. This is a good matchup for Molly on the feet, and I expect her to shine.”

• Austin Swaim – Alexia Thainara

“Considering Bruna Brasil dominated large parts of the fight against McCann, I’m not sure why I wouldn’t trust a black belt training with the Ribas family to do the same. Molly’s just never really found comfort in grappling exchanges, and her power isn’t improving at 34.”

• Corrie – Alexia Thainara

“I never feel comfortable putting my money on a fighter with an injury in the same year, especially something like a tibia fracture, even though she has more experience and technically she’s had “healing time”, I’m taking the debutant. She’s pretty tough from the regional tape I’ve seen and I love her submission prop. The safest bet here is probably the under 2.5 considering the majority of Thainara’s finishes were in R1/R2, and 4 out of 5 of Molly’s were wrapped in the R1.” 

• The Fight Analyst – Alexia Thainara

“This is a big spot for a debutant on short notice especially fighting in her opponent’s backyard. However, Thainara has the skills to overcome all of that and the matchup isn’t truly a tough one. Thainara’s aggressive striking will serve her well against Molly McCann who has a tedency to get hit a ton and as long as Thainara can do what she did on the Contender Series she could come away with the biggest win of her career.”

Jordan Vucenic vs. Chris Duncan

• HayJive – Jordan Vucenic

“Duncan is a proven UFC fighter but I think this is a tough matchup for him. Vucenic is a slick striker who can flow into a dangerous grappling game and I see him putting away Duncan in the first 2 rounds.”

• Nolan (TheParlay) – Jordan Vucenic

“I think Vucenic is very skilled, and showed a lot of grit against Guram in his debut. He’s now got his debut under his belt and is fighting a guy in Duncan who’s hittable and gets hurt in fights.”

• JJ (TheOctagonKings) – Jordan Vucenic

“Vucenic is a problem in this division. He took a Guram fight in short notice and had multiple opportunities for a finish. Duncan is a brawler, and a kill or be killed fighter. Vucenic has solid wins over Hughes and Cherreire and he’s been able to set fires out before, which I think is going to be the case here!”

• Austin Swaim – Jordan Vucenic

“Out of nowhere, Vucenic showed insane speed and great combinations in a last-second debut. Chris Duncan’s shown to be too much of a liability at distance for me to trust an upset, and his submission path seems to not be open like it was in his last fight.”

• Corrie – Jordan Vucenic

“Vucenic seems like a pretty good prospect and his loss to the Guram really doesn’t stand out to me too much because of the short notice but now he’s coming into this with a full camp under his belt which will only benefit him…. Plus the last time I bet against a British submission artist, they won by a first round KO and I’ve since learned my lesson.”

• The Fight Analyst – Jordan Vucenic

“I was so close to being a genius when I bet Jordan Vucenic in his short-notice fight against Guram Kutateladze until he gassed out. Oh well, but this is the matchup where Vucenic finally gets his first UFC victory. While Chris Duncan is tough and well-rounded as we saw when he put Bolaji Oki to sleep with a guillotine choke, Vucenic is just a bit better in every aspect. Vucenic will mix things in well until he takes Duncan to the mat and sinks in another submission victory.”

Nathaniel Wood vs. Morgan Charriere

• HayJive – Morgan Charriere

“Wood can definitely give Charriere a very tough fight here, but I believe there’s more upside for Charriere to run away with it. I like Charriere to win here and maybe find a knockout.”

• Nolan (TheParlay) – Morgan Charriere

“I like Wood’s pace and pressure but I believe Morgan will be physically stronger in this spot. Morgan’s striking is powerful, and if he wins the first round I think he sets himself up for a win here.”

• JJ (TheOctagonKings) – Nathaniel Wood

“Nathaniel Wood’s move to 145 has been largely successful, with only loss being to Naimov. Wood is an all around great fighter, and Cherriere is more so a powerful fighter with the finishing upside. Wood’s defensive ability will allow him to dictate where this fight goes for a solid, yet comfortable decision win.”

• Austin Swaim – Nathaniel Wood

“While Charriere is incredibly talented, he’s lost a ton of close decisions because he’s been unable to stamp rounds against medium-level competition. I can’t pick him to beat his toughest foe to date. The opposing Englishman is polished in all areas.”

• Corrie – Nathaniel Wood

“A lot of people are hot on Uhlberg but I’m taking the dog on this one. Uhlberg has insane knockout power for sure but Blachowicz is a really durable guy who’s been in the octagon with some better fighters…So personally I think this goes to the judges and it will be the UFC vet winning the decision.”

• The Fight Analyst – Morgan Charriere

“Morgan Charriere kind of reminds me of the featherweight Manel Kape where he has the intangibles but he just sometimes doesn’t put a stamp on his fight. However, this is a fight where Nathaniel Wood will bring out that fighter in him. I thoroughly expect Charriere to put on his best performance, landing thunderous shots, potentially finishing Wood midway through this fight, or just get the dominant decision victory.”

Want to know more about each event? Visit homeoffight.com or any of our social media accounts for more articles, fighter interviews, and plenty of more coverage. Enjoy the fights, let us know how you’ll be watching!