5 most memorable UFC London moments

#4. UFC 38: Matt Hughes finishes Carlos Newton in the first ever UFC event in London

The first time the UFC visited England was way back in 2002. The event was billed as UFC 38: Brawl at the Hall and was headlined by a welterweight championship bout between Matt Hughes and Carlos Newton. The fight card comprised seven bouts and was underway at the Royal Albert Hall in the English capital.

The first three bouts on the fight card required the judges to determine the winner. At the time, the promotion was nowhere near the powerhouse that it is today. It likely took a huge effort from the organizers to even put together an event outside the United States. The fact that the event kicked off with three decisions likely worried them at the time.

However, the next four fights produced just as many stoppages with three finishes via TKO and one by way of submission. Notably, the two Englishmen on the card, Mark Weir and Ian Freeman, defeated Eugene Jackson and Frank Mir respectively to send the English crowd in attendance into a frenzy.

In the main event, Matt Hughes cruised to the second defense of his welterweight title. He secured a fourth-round TKO victory over Carlos Newton following an enthralling back-and-forth encounter.

Watch a recap of the event below:

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#3. UFC 120: Michael Bisping becomes the first Brit to headline a UFC event in London

Michael Bisping made history in 2010, becoming the first English fighter to headline a UFC event in London. He took on Yoshihiro Akiyama in the main event of a stacked fight card that was brimming with British talent.

The fight between Bisping and Akiyama ended up winning the 'Fight of the Night' honors. While it was an entertaining fight, 'The Count' clearly won all three rounds and came away with a unanimous decision victory.

Michael Bisping was the face of the MMA scene in the United Kingdom for a very long time. He undoubtedly inspired a whole generation of English fighters after winning TUF and subsequently went on to become the undisputed UFC middleweight champion.

Bisping's win over Akiyama in London endeared him to the British fans. He would continue to break barriers later in his career and even headlined a few UFC London cards before retiring.