Liverpool came sprinting out of the traps on Saturday evening.
Mike Grundy, representing Team Kaobon, took to the Octagon for the first time in the opening bout of UFC London and engaged in a war with Nad Narimani before earning a second-round TKO.
We might have Fight of the Night in the first bout! 😱@MGWrestling picks up a win in his debut at #UFCLondon! 🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/69jRkCZl8R
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) March 16, 2019
‘Meatball’ Molly McCann, meanwhile, was forced to sweat as a gruesome eye injury almost condemned her to consecutive defeats in the UFC.
The ever-popular McCann was fired up as she made her way to the Octagon for her clash with Priscila Cachoeira and she stormed to an early lead, almost finishing her Brazilian opponent in the opening frame.
Safe in the knowledge that she was up on the scorecards going into the final round, all McCann had to do was survive but her fate was left at the discretion of the cage-side doctor when her left eye swelled shut.
🗣️"Liverpool, THAT WAS FOR YOU!"@MeatballMolly bringing the win home at #UFCLondon, what a performance! 🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/JDD6FvgdIj
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) March 16, 2019
Referee Rich Mitchell asked the doctor to take a look at the eye with less than a minute remaining and much to the relief of the fans in attendance, McCann was allowed to continue.
There was a dramatic end to proceedings, however, as a desperate Cachoeira appeared to take a cheap shot when McCann looked to touch gloves when she returned from the doctor’s inspection.
With seconds remaining, McCann gave Cachoeira the middle finger before diving out of the Octagon in celebration before she walked back in to the sounds of a unanimous decision win being announced.
What a performance by these two warriors, give it up for Priscila Cachoeira and @MeatballMolly! 👏
Result incoming, who you got at #UFCLondon? pic.twitter.com/zwotgPIzhJ
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) March 16, 2019
The back-to-back wins for the Scousers bodes well for Darren Till, who meets dangerous veteran Jorge Masvidal in the main event of UFC London.
