With all the attention Ilia Topuria had put on Paddy Pimblett ahead of UFC London, it’s a wonder he even remembered he had a fight with Jai Herbert on Saturday night.
The lightweight pair — Topuria was moving up from 145lbs — kicked off the main card at the O2 Arena in London, England. How he performed would be vital to landing a future fight with “Paddy the Baddy,” even if Pimblett himself had dismissed the idea.
Both men took the center of the octagon after a touch of the gloves. A jab and knee from Herbert started the fight. Both exchanged heavy punches. A head kick from Herbert sat Topuria down. Topuria then immediately went for a takedown. Herbert defended, but Topuria put him against the fence. Topuria eventually landed a massive takedown. 1:27 left, and Herbert got back to his feet and landed a knee. Herbert landed another combo. Thirty seconds left, and Topuria landed a combo of his own. Topuria ate a knee from Hervert that made his mouthpiece fly. Herbery landed a right hand to end the round.
The second round started with Topuria landing a big right hand. Both fighters exchanged a combo. Then, Topuria landed a nasty combo that put Herbert’s lights out.
Topuria is now 4-0 in the UFC with three knockouts. Following the bout Topuria called out Paddy Pimblett following their dust up earlier in the week.
HE WAS KNOCKED OUT COLD 🥶 @espnmma #UFCLondonpic.twitter.com/o98mTmgNof
— ESPN (@espn) March 19, 2022
Ilia Topuria def. Jai Herbert via knockout (punch) Round 2, 1:07
