Sean Brady: Ready for the Spotlight of UFC London
Brady understands the magnitude of this fight and what’s at stake.
“If I beat Leon, I become the number one contender and I’ll be right on the way of where I’m trying to go,” he stated. Having called for this fight after his win over Gilbert Burns, he remains confident in his ability to handle a taller opponent and believes his jiu-jitsu is the best in the division.
Brady also brushed off any concerns about Belal Muhammad backing him to win, focusing instead on proving himself. He acknowledged Jack Della Maddalena’s rightful selection as the next title challenger and expressed his hope for a rematch with Belal down the line.
Chris Duncan: Fighting for Scotland
Duncan embraces the Scotland vs. England rivalry in his fight against Jordan Vucenic. He remains focused on evolution and improving in all aspects of MMA.
“I do it to provide for my family—I’m a superhero for my kids,” he said, downplaying the idea of fighting for money.
Despite being the betting underdog, Duncan believes in his abilities and is even willing to make a tattoo bet with his opponent. He assured fans they can expect a relentless performance from him.
Jan Blachowicz: The Polish Power Returns
After nearly two years away due to a shoulder injury, former light heavyweight champion Blachowicz is eager to remind everyone why he was once on top.
“It’s time to remind people about the legendary Polish power,” he said.
At 42, he remains confident in his ability to compete at the highest level, even hoping to surpass Randy Couture’s record as the oldest UFC champion. He dismissed any concerns about his past fight with Israel Adesanya influencing his matchup against Carlos Ulberg.
Gunnar Nelson: Back and Better
Nelson, known for his calm demeanor, was excited to face Kevin Holland. He admitted he hasn’t been the most active in recent years but has used the time away to improve.
“The most important lesson I learned was to lock up a finish, no matter how pretty it looks,” he shared, reflecting on his grappling evolution.
Alexia Thainara: Prepared for the Moment
Stepping in on short notice against fan-favorite Molly McCann, Thainara was unphased by the challenge.
“We accepted the fight on Friday, but we’ve been ready since the Contender Series,” she said. “Molly is only a fan favorite because they haven’t met me yet.”
Jordan Vucenic: UFC Debut Anticipation
Vucenic is eager to prove he belongs in the UFC and is excited to fight in front of a home UK crowd. He even embraced Duncan’s tattoo bet idea, adding some lightheartedness to the fight buildup.
Nathaniel Wood: Rankings Are Secondary
Wood is focused on delivering exciting performances rather than climbing the rankings.
“A good win will get me a shot at the top 15, but I’d rather get exciting fights,” he said. He also predicted Diego Lopes to beat Alexander Volkanovski for the vacant featherweight title.
Molly McCann: A Night to Remember
McCann relishes fighting in the UK at UFC London and is thrilled to be on the card despite her original opponent pulling out.
“I’ve sold loads of tickets, I don’t want to let my fans down,” she said.
McCann also spoke about her training improvements and her excitement to support Paddy Pimblett in his upcoming fight against Michael Chandler.
Kevin Holland: Just Here to Entertain
Holland isn’t treating his fight against Nelson as a permanent move to welterweight.
“My goal is to entertain, secondary to fight,” he said, showing his trademark carefree attitude. He also clarified that his in-cage conversations aren’t trash talk, just casual dialogue.
Carlos Ulberg: Eyeing a Title Shot
Ulberg sees his fight against Blachowicz as a potential title eliminator.
“I’m the number one contender if I beat Jan,” he stated confidently. He’s even open to weighing in as a backup for the next title fight.
Leon Edwards: The Road Back to Gold
Edwards is determined to stay active for the UK fans and is unbothered by the change in opponent.
“If I win, I’ve been told I get the title fight next,” he revealed.
While he respects Brady’s skills, Edwards remains confident in his own abilities. He dismissed rumors of a staph infection and criticized Belal Muhammad, calling him a boring fighter.
Morgan Charriere: Size Matters
Charriere is excited to fight in front of a UK crowd but doesn’t believe rankings define a fighter’s skill.
“I’ll be far bigger than Nathaniel Wood on fight night,” he said, confident in his physical advantages.