UK lightweight knockout artist Jai Herbert will take on the undefeated Ilia Topuria as he makes his divisional debut at UFC London.
Initially reported by Campos Gonzalez MMA on Twitter, Herbert will be ecstatic with the bout agreement. After Mike Davis pulled from his slated London bout, he was left without an opponent.
Davis expressed an unwillingness to pay foreign taxes on his purse, Leaving Herbert without a willing opponent for the March 19th card.
He spoke to Yahoo Sports! saying:
“My entire global income will be taxed by the U.K. and by the U.S. Then I gotta pay management, and I gotta pay camp. Then I gotta pay for the gym.
So I’m going home with like 5 percent of my purse, 7 percent of my purse. So it just doesn’t make sense to take the fight”
Jai Herbert vs. Ilia Topuria
After a first-round finish in his last fight against Khama Worthy, Herbert comes into UFC London in form. Herbert, as always, will look to close the show early in front of the London fans in a definitive fashion. With only one decision in his 14 fight pro career, Herbert doesn’t hide his aim of finishing the fight inside the distance. His 91% finishing rate had gained him an influx of fans who will be pleased with his return to London.
His opponent Topuria also boasts a first-round finish in his last fight.
He took on Jiu-Jitsu ace Ryan Hall, ending the bout with thunderous ground and pound. “El Matador” extended his flawless record to 11-0, with 3 of the victories coming inside the UFC.
Topuria has never been finished, and Herbert is a lethal striker from a weight class above. Topuria has shown the ability to grapple and inflict show-stopping damage on his foes. With so many questions surrounding the bout, the UFC London prelims just got a whole lot more interesting.
Does Herbert get the knockout in front of the London crowd, or does Ilia Topuria become the latest two weight sensation?
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