UFC 329: Paddy Pimblett claims title with 52-second submission

Earlier, Luke Riley, who trains with Pimblett at Next Generation Gym in Liverpool, opened the preliminary card in stunning fashion.

Making his third appearance under the UFC banner, Riley, 27, extended his perfect record to 14 wins with a TKO victory over Kai Kamaka III.

The UFC has put a lot of faith in Riley — handing him a co-main event slot at UFC London in March — and he continues to deliver.

Riley dropped Kamaka with a heavy right late in the first round and forced the referee to step in with knees and punches.

“My past two fights I’ve been very hard on myself but I’m very happy with it,” Riley said.

“When I hit somebody it’s bedtime – they’re going to sleep.”

But Lone Kavanagh’s hopes of climbing the flyweight rankings suffered a blow as he suffered a chaotic submission loss to Brandon Royval.

Royval dropped after landing a looping right early in the London round but was unable to finish as he emptied the tank against the durable American.

Royal quickly recovered and gained control in the third, taking Kavanagh’s back before sinking a back naked choke.

Kavanagh, 27, had hoped to earn a title shot with victory, upsetting former two-time champion Brandon Moreno in March, but will have to reset after his second loss in five fights since signing with the UFC.