UFC London has finally found a headliner as British contender Jimi Manuwa (16-2) takes the top spot against Corey Anderson (9-2) in a light-heavyweight main event in front of his hometown fans.
UFC London, or UFC Fight Night 107, takes place March 18 at the O2 Arena in London and also features Brad Pickett’s retirement fight when he faces Mexican fighter Henry Briones alongside a host of up-and-coming British talent throughout the card.
Although the fight is yet to be formally announced by the promotion, a UFC official confirmed to MMAJunkie that the fight will, in fact, top the billing at the O2.
Londoner Manuwa attempts to put himself into 205lb title contention after victory over Jan Blachowicz and a stunning knockout of Ovince St. Preux at UFC 204 have seen him rise into the Top 10 of the shallow divisions’ rankings.
After an unbeaten 14-0 start to his career, “Poster Boy” has alternated wins and losses in the UFC with two defeats to Alexander Gustaffson and Anthony Johnson halting his rise before. Now he gets a third chance to put himself in the title picture in his home country.
Meanwhile, Anderson himself has put together four wins in his last five fights to ascend the light-heavyweight rankings. A defeat to Shogun Rua at UFC 198 didn’t hurt his stock too much, with Anderson doing himself no disservice in a close split decision.
Updated UFC London line-up:
Jimi Manuwa vs. Corey Anderson
Brad Pickett vs. Henry Briones
Leon Edwards vs. Vicente Luque
Marc Diakiese vs. Teemu Packalen
Oluwale Bamgbose vs. Tom Breese
Scott Askham vs. Brad Scott
Francimar Barroso vs. Darren Stewart
Joseph Duffy vs. Reza Madadi
Lina Lansberg vs. Veronica Macedo
Timothy Johnson vs. Daniel Omielanczuk
Arnold Allen vs. Makwan Amirkhani
