UFC London: Betting preview and predictions

UFC London, also known as UFC Fight Night 147, marks the promotion’s first UK card of 2019, and the return of Liverpool fighter Darren Till following his welterweight title loss in September 2019.

What’s the story of UFC London?

Till will be looking to bounce back with victory this Saturday night (March 16) at the O2 Arena over 32-13 veteran Jorge Masvidal. A win for the Liverpudlian could set up a potential bout with Ben Askren, and will certainly see him back ‘in the mix’ when it comes to the 170lb title picture.

Hotly rated Birmingham prospect Leon Edwards, also a welterweight, will compete in the evening’s co-main event against submission specialist Gunnar Nelson. The Jamaican-born Edwards, currently riding high on a five-fight winning streak, hopes that victory will catapult him into contention to face Till next, in what would be a highly anticipated all-UK clash.

It’s always dangerous to try to dictate the narrative when it comes to making MMA fights, of course, and Nelson and Masvidal will be hoping to prove spoilers on the night. They certainly have the tools to be able to subdue the London crowd, although both Brits find themselves as betting favourites heading into fight night.

UFC London will be a showcase of British MMA, with all but one of the evening’s main card bouts featuring at least one UK fighter on the billing.

Main card preview and betting predictions

Jack Marshman vs. John Phillips (middleweight)

Welshmen Jack Marshman (22-8) and John Phillips (22-7-1) are two talented veterans of the British MMA scene, but both arguably find themselves in last-chance saloon in the UFC. Both have lost two on the bounce, with Phillips dropping submission losses to Charles Byrd and Kevin Holland in his only two appearances for the promotion to date. Marshman, meanwhile, is a former Cage Warriors champion, and 2-3 in the UFC since making his debut in 2016.

Expect both men to come out with determination and aggression as they look to prove they belong in MMA’s elite organisation. Phillips has a 90% knockout rate and we expect him to ultimately come out on top in the striking department.

Prediction: John Phillips by KO/TKO.

Danny Roberts vs. Cláudio Silva (welterweight)

London-born Danny Roberts will be looking to make it three wins on the trot on Saturday night, with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Cláudio Silva standing in his way. Silva has compiled an impressive 12-1 pro record, winning his last 11, but a litany of injuries has meant he’s only been able to compete once in the past four years.

The Brazilian, who moved to Italy as a teenager and now spends his time between Rio and London, wooed the British crowd in his last outing, landing a submission victory over Nordine Taleb in Liverpool last year.

The pair are always entertaining, and we expect both to seek a finish – Roberts by KO and Silva to take things to the ground in the hopes of securing another submission. Ultimately, we think the two may cancel each other out, with Silva receiving a narrow nod on points.

Prediction: Cláudio Silva by decision.

Nathaniel Wood vs. José Alberto Quiñónez (bantamweight)

Another former Cage Warriors champion, London bantamweight Nathaniel Wood has looked dangerous in his UFC stint so far, picking up two submission victories in his first two outings for the promotion. The Brad Pickett-trained 25-year-old will be looking to make short work of TUF Latin America 1 finalist José Albert Quiñónez at the O2, who has won his last three by decision.

Prediction: Nathaniel Wood by KO/TKO.

Volkan Oezdemir vs. Dominick Reyes (light heavyweight)

On paper, Swiss light heavyweight Volkan Oezdemir may look as though he’s on the brink of being cut by the UFC, having being stopped in his last two fights. However, when you consider that these losses came against current heavyweight champion and former lightweight king Daniel Cormier and top contender Anthony Smith, you start to see a fuller picture.

Prior to those defeats, Oezdemir knocked out Jimi Manuwa and beat OSP, and he will be looking to bounce back against another high-level prospect in Dominick Reyes. The ‘Devastator’ is undefeated in his ten professional MMA contests, and will be looking to gain a major scalp in Oezdemir at UFC London. Ultimately, we expect the heavy-hitting Reyes to edge a decision in a contest that promises fireworks.

Prediction: Dominick Reyes by decision.

Leon Edwards vs. Gunnar Nelson (welterweight)

As mentioned previously, Brit Leon Edwards will look to secure an impressive victory over Iceland’s Gunnar Nelson in the evening’s co-main event, with the hopes of setting up an all-UK fight with Darren Till later in 2019. While the Birmingham striker has amassed a six-fight winning streak, beating Donald Cerrone last time out, we expect SBG’s Nelson to provide much more of a test than the bookmakers expect.

Nelson is 17-3 with 13 submissions, and if he is able to take the fight to the ground early, it could well be a long night for Edwards in his home country.

Prediction: Gunnar Nelson by submission.

Darren Till vs. Jorge Masvidal (middleweight)

Having fought himself into welterweight title contention with an impressive 6-0-1 record in the Octagon, Liverpool’s Darren Till was brought crashing back down to earth when he was outclassed by Tyron Woodley in September, succumbing to a second-round D’Arce choke.

On Saturday night, the Team Kaobon prospect will be looking to prove he deserves to be in the conversation when it comes to the division’s best, and we expect him to put Masvidal to the sword, with his unorthodox striking being a class above that of the 45-fight veteran.

Prediction: Darren Till by KO/TKO.