The UK has had many UFC Stars over the years, including its first ever champion Michael Bisping, as well as the most recent in Birmingham’s own Leon Edwards.
UFC Stars: 5 UK Fighters to Make it in The Octagon
While Edwards still has hopes of earning a shot at regaining the Welterweight title when he faces Sean Brady at UFC London in March, there are many others who have their sights set on becoming a champion. Here we look at some of the emerging and established talents from the UK.
UFC Stars: Tom Aspinall
The most obvious name on this list is that of Tom Aspinall, who sits right at the summit of the Heavyweight division as the current “Interim” champion. Talks are currently ongoing for a super fight with Jon Jones to unify the title this year, with 31-year-old Aspinall already amassing a reputation as the sport’s most lethal finisher. Aspinall has an 8-1 UFC record with all of his fights ending within the distance.
His only defeat was to Curtis Blaydes when he blew out his knee 15 seconds into the fight, a loss he avenged by knocking out the American in one minute in Manchester last July. Aspinall currently holds the UFC record for shortest average fight time at two minutes and two seconds. A win for Aspinall against the man considered the “greatest of all time” in Jones would send his star power into the stratosphere.
UFC Stars: Paddy Pimblett
There ain’t no party like a Paddy Pimblett party, with the Liverpudlian a firm fan favourite. Aside from the hair, the talk and wild entrances, the 30-year-old has shown he can really fight and is entering his prime with a perfect 6-0 UFC record.
Pimblett submitted King Green in the first round in Manchester last July to earn his place in the top 15 of the talent-stacked Lightweight division. Next up is a huge booking to face veteran Michael Chandler in UFC 314’s co-main event in Miami in April. A win would put Paddy into the top 10 of the 155lb division, which is filled with absolute killers and outstanding future match-ups.
UFC Stars: Oban Elliott
In little over 12 months in the UFC, Oban Elliott has made a name for himself as a future star. The Welsh Gangster appeared on three numbered cards as he made a perfect start to his UFC tenure in 2024. In his last fight at Madison Square Garden in November, Elliott earned himself a performance bonus for his third-round TKO of Bassil Hafez.
Elliott’s nickname pays homage to the legendary Chael Sonnen, who has been a huge supporter of the 27-year-old thus far. Like his hero Sonnen, Elliott can cut one impressive promo on the mic, which will stand him in good stead as he continues to climb the ladder in 2025.
UFC Stars: Lerone Murphy
Manchester’s Lerone Murphy sits at number 10 in the UFC Featherweight division as he eyes an assault on the upper echelons in 2025. The 33-year-old already has a fight booked for April in a Main Event against long time top contender Josh Emmett. Murphy remains unbeaten in his 16 professional contests, including eight wins in the UFC.
A nephew of esteemed boxing trainer, the late Oliver Harrison, Murphy has had his setbacks with injury, spending a year on the sidelines after almost being killed when he was knocked off his bike in 2022. After wins over Edson Barboza and Dan Ige in 2024, a victory for Murphy against the all-action veteran Emmett could see the Manchester man push on to big things later this year.
UFC Stars: Mick Parkin
In any combat sport the Heavyweight division always produces must-see, edge of your seat match-ups, which could make Mick Parkin a big star in the UFC. The 29-year-old is unbeaten in his career with a perfect 4-0 record inside the Octagon. A first-round knockout of Lukasz Brzeski in Manchester last July put Parkin into the top 15 of the division of giants and earned himself a whopping $100k bonus.
A win over number eight ranked Marcin Tybura in London in March would open the door to some huge match-ups for the North East fighter, who trains alongside interim champion Aspinall.
By Tom McGarry
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