Riley dominates co-main event, leaves no doubt in decision win. On March 21, 2026, at The O2 Arena in London, the co‑main event featured a compelling lightweight bout between rising Brit Luke Riley and American contender Michael Aswell Jr.
The fight served as the penultimate matchup before the headlining featherweight showdown between Movsar Evloev and Lerone Murphy.
Luke Riley came into the co‑main event riding strong momentum. He had turned heads with his 12‑0 professional record, including a standout UFC debut where he earned a second‑round finish over Bogdan Grad at UFC Qatar. His combination of sharp striking and improving grappling gave fans reason to believe he could continue his undefeated run.
Opposite him was Michael Aswell , a tough competitor from Houston with an 11‑3 record and a reputation for bouncing back strong after setbacks. Aswell had most recently delivered a first‑round TKO over Lucas Almeida at UFC Rio, showcasing both his power and finishing instincts. The matchup between him and Riley was widely seen as a great test for both men.
Luke Riley entered the Octagon wearing red shorts, while Michael Aswell made his walk first, followed by Riley, who came in quietly without much noise from the crowd. The fight started fast, with both fighters exchanging punches early. Less than a minute in, Aswell pressed Riley against the cage and landed a few shots before Riley managed to break free and return to the center. Moments later, Aswell locked Riley on the cage again, but they soon got back to the middle where they exchanged punches that caught the attention of everyone watching.
Riley responded well, finding his rhythm and landing clean punches on Aswell, with several shots connecting directly to his face. Both fighters continued trading shots all the way to the end of the first round, with Riley’s cleaner striking standing out.
The second round began with a respectful glove touch. Riley opened with a leg kick, and Aswell responded with punches as both fighters moved to the center to exchange again.
Aswell landed a strong punch that briefly dropped Riley, but Riley got back up almost immediately and recovered well. Aswell tried to take advantage by pressing him against the cage, but Riley stayed composed.
Back in the center, Riley began to land more effective punches, matching Aswell in every exchange. Toward the end of the round, Aswell attempted a takedown, but Riley defended it successfully. The round ended with both fighters trading, but Riley’s composure and cleaner shots kept him in control.
The final round started with another glove touch. Aswell came out aggressive, landing early punches and pushing the pace.
Less than a minute in, he pressed Riley against the cage, but Riley stayed calm and eventually worked his way back to the center. Aswell also controlled Riley briefly on the ground, but Riley escaped and returned to striking.
Later in the round, Aswell again pushed Riley to the cage, but this time Riley reversed the position and pinned Aswell, landing a few shots of his own. They separated and returned to the center, where Riley had the better of the exchanges. Both fighters traded punches until the final bell, but Riley finished stronger.
‘He’s tough, durable, he’s got a head like a cinder block,” Riley said. “The performance, give it like 5 out of 10, if that. I’m a perfectionist, I got caught too many times. I won.
“People are going to be gunning for me now. I know a lot of people at 145 are going to be signing up to fight me.”
Main card
Movsar Evloev def. Lerone Murphy via majority decision (48‑46, 48‑46, 47‑47)
Luke Riley def. Michael Aswell Jr. via unanimous decision
Michael Page def. Sam Patterson via unanimous decision
Iwo Baraniewski def. Austen Lane via TKO (strikes), 0:28 of Round 1
Christian Leroy Duncan def. Roman Dolidze via unanimous decision
Danny Silva def. Kurtis Campbell via TKO (punches) in Round 2
Preliminary Card
Mason Jones def. Axel Sola via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28 x2)
Nathaniel Wood def. Losene Keita via split decision (29-28 x2, 28-29)
Mario Pinto def. Felipe Franco via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
Mantas Kondratavicius def. Antonio Trocoli via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-27 x2)
Brando Pericic def. Louie Sutherland via first-round TKO (1:48)
Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady def. Shem Rock via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
Shanelle Dyer def. Ravena Oliveira via second-round TKO (1:17)
