The news of Jimi Manuwa and Corey Anderson headlining UFC London has sparked an online debate about whether or not the March 18 event at The O2 Arena deserves a better closing act.
UFC Fight Night 107 will mark the third time Manuwa (16-2) fights in front of his hometown London crowd since signing for the promotion in 2012. In seven UFC bouts, “Poster Boy” has only ever fought outside of Europe on one occasion, a knockout loss to Anthony Johnson at UFC 191, in Las Vegas.
Despite being a regular name for the European UFC fanbase; and on the cusp of a light-heavyweight title shot, the news that he will fight former The Ultimate Fighter: Team Edgar vs. Team Penn contestant Anderson (9-2) at UFC London has been less than well received over social media.
With tickets costing slightly more than October’s UFC 204 pay-per-view event in Manchester, fans were seemingly left disgruntled over the lack of a big name at the top of the bill.
We asked Twitter for their thoughts on the UFC London main event between Manuwa and Anderson, here are their reactions.
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Put your hand up if you feel a little cheated the UFC announced Manuwa vs. Anderson as the main event, AFTER they'd sold out #UFCLondon
— Dan Moore (@DanMooreMUFC) January 30, 2017
@andremgeorgiou @MMAPLUS @POSTERBOYJM @StuartRodgerMMA the UFC took advantage that it had already sold out and really shit all over UK fans
— RODEO (@billymorris4) 30 January 2017
Bought tickets saturday for #UFCLondon ohh well….. Just hope i get to see a live @POSTERBOYJM knockout!
— AC/CD (@CDYYA) January 30, 2017
@andremgeorgiou @MMAPLUS @POSTERBOYJM @StuartRodgerMMA disappointing full stop!
— Adam Poots (@adam_poots) 30 January 2017
If that's the #UFCLondon main event then it's a joke, nowhere near main event material. How do you justify that @UFCEurope? Takes the piss.
— Ryan Batey. (@_RyanBatey) January 30, 2017
@andremgeorgiou @MMAPLUS @POSTERBOYJM @StuartRodgerMMA a #5 v #9, BOTH who have lost in their last 2 fights, isn’t good enough to headline.
— Matt Hafford (@matthaff) 30 January 2017
@andremgeorgiou @MMAPLUS @POSTERBOYJM @StuartRodgerMMA it’s a joke people have spent a lot of money on tickets waiting for the main event
— Rach (@Rachy_7_X) 30 January 2017
I can't support the uproar re: #UFCLondon. Having our own Jimi M headlining could yield a title shot in the shakey LHW div. That's great.
— Tom Fretwell (@tomfretwellmma) January 30, 2017
@andremgeorgiou 2 floor seats cost about 50% more than we paid 4 Bisping v Silva. Says it all really. UFC don’t care what we think.
— Dean (@t8yman) 30 January 2017
@andremgeorgiou absolutely shocking main event, co main maybe, it’s just a glorified CW & Cage Rage card for 3 x the prices!! #UFCLondon
— gavin springett (@gavinspringett) 30 January 2017
If you don't appreciate @POSTERBOYJM as the #UFCLondon main event then you're a idiot! #FutureChamp
— Mark (@markwools) January 30, 2017
@andremgeorgiou @MMAPLUS even jimmy didnt think he was main. Complete balls up by ufc pic.twitter.com/BptAVq6JvL
— Graeme Gilbertson (@BigG320) 30 January 2017
@gavinspringett @andremgeorgiou Jesus. I’m officially out. I’ll soak in x3 @GLORY_WS events vs. the price of the London weekend.
— Greg R (@uk1manwolfpack) 30 January 2017
Had a feeling @POSTERBOYJM would be headlining #UFCLondon I'm happy with it, should have just said this from beginning sompeople@didn't wait
— Jamie Ford (@JamieFord__) January 30, 2017
Waking up to see manuwa v Anderson headlining UFC london is a fucking pisstake! Not happy #UFCLondon
— Lana Taylor (@LanaTaylor) January 30, 2017