Allen manages to get out of Amirkhani's tight grip on the deck to get top position and slow down the wrestling game of his Finnish opponent.

Amirkhani gets himself upright and the two continue to jockey for position with some tightly contested grappling.

Image source, Getty Images

Amirkhani comes flying out with a knee straight out the traps, but Allen is ready for it and sidesteps it just in time.  He shoots in for a takedown but Allen manages to scramble to his feet before being taken down a second time.

And here comes Arnold Allen. Just 23-years-old but he's already 11-1 in his professional MMA career.

Allen's regarded as one of the brightest young prospects in British MMA.  This should be a dynamic fight to kick things off.

Out first is Mr Finland, Makwan Amirkhani - a Kurdistani-born fighter who scored one of the fastest knockouts in UFC history when he made his debut in 2015, beating England's Andy Ogle in just eight seconds.

Eight seconds.  Just let that sink in for a second.

Jagroop Shinbt
BBC Sport in the O2 Arena

It’s been over a year since either Allen or Amirkhani last fought in the UFC having both collected wins in this very arena ahead of Silva v Bisping in February 2016.

I interviewed Allen earlier in the week in a room full of trainers and detritions however despite the imminent challenge of Makwan Amirkhani, the 23-year old from Suffolk was the most relaxed person in the room.

 “I love fighting here and I love what I do,” said Allen as he looks to add a second win at the O2 Arena to his record.

Image source, Getty Images

Ireland's Joe Duffy claims victory in the final preliminary bout before tonight's main card after a brutal encounter with Sweden-based Iranian Reza Madadi.

Madadi was left with a deep, bloody cut across his forehead as the two exchanged punches knees and takedowns across the full three rounds.

And the striking from 29-year-old Duffy, from Donegal, proved enough for him to claim a unanimous judges victory.

First up on the main card from 9pm tonight is Arnold Allen vs Makwan Amirkhani.

Highly rated featherweight Allen has already been making waves, just two fights into his UFC career.

And despite facing Amirkhani -  responsible for one of the quickest knockouts in UFC history - he's keeping a sense of humour about the fight.

Jagroop Shinbt
BBC Sport at the O2 Arena

“We deserve bigger names, it’s as simple as that. With all due respect to the lads on this card, it’s is a massive step down from Bisping v Silva last year - Bellator 158 in July outshines this by a long shot!” said local Londoner and fight fan Alex Jameson who's sat in the stands.

One of the hottest controversies in mixed martial arts just now is weight-cutting, as fighters continue to take extreme measures to make weight before a bout.

Things came to a head last month ahead of UFC 209, when Khabib Nurmagomedov was hospitalised just a day ahead of his interim lightweight title contest against Tony Ferguson.

And with Ian Entwistle being taken to hospital today after missing weight for his fight in London against Brett Johns, the risks could not be more apparent.

So you might want to  check this out . BBC Three followed the punishing lengths taken by fighters to hit their target weight, including Britain's Dean Garnett ahead of his Bellator fight with Luiz Tosta.  

Image source, BBC Sport

BBC Wales spoke to Brett Johns after his fight with Ian Entwistle being scrapped on medical grounds.

Two of the undercard fights were scrapped at the last minute tonight on medical grounds.

English fighter Ian Entwistle was taken to hospital earlier today, after struggling to make weight for his fight against Wales Brett Johns.

“Following a trip to the hospital earlier in the day, bantamweight contender Ian Entwistle has been removed from tonight's scheduled bout against Brett Johns per doctors recommendations,” the UFC said in a statement.

Just before the prelims were due to begin, the UFC confirmed that up-and-coming English middleweight Tom Breese had also been rulled out of his fight. 

“Tom Breese is unfit to fight and has withdrawn from his scheduled bout against Oluwale Bamgbose for medical reasons.  

Jagroop Shinbt
BBC Sport in the O2 Arena

So far, the standout moment of the night has been Marc Diakiese’s astonishing 30-second knockout over Teemu Packalen and it’s going to take something special to top it.

A flamboyant spinning kick followed by a rocket-propelled fist to Packalen's chin put the unbeaten lightweight from Doncaster in a strong position to gain tonight's knockout of the night award.

"I’m going all the way to the top” he said whilst Teemu lay lifeless on the ground.      

Image source, Getty Images

We're about to get underway with the main card for UFC Fight Night, but there's already been a lot of action in London, featuring many of the UK and Ireland's up and coming stars.

• Lina Lansberg bt Lucie Pudilova by unanimous decision 
• Brad Scott bt Scott Askham by split decision 
• Mark Diakiese bt Teemu Packalen by KO (R1 0m30s)
• Leon Edwards bt Vicente Luque by unanimous decision
• Tim Johnson bt Daniel Omielanczuk by split decision
• Francimar Barroso bt Darren Stewart by unanimous decision
• Joe Duffy bt Reza Madadi by unanimous decision

Image source, Getty Images

Welcome to BBC Three Sport's live coverage of UFC Fight Night at London's O2 Arena, as the Ultimate Fighting Championship returns to the UK.

Britain's Jimi Manuwa headlines the show against Corey Anderson, with both fighters closing in on the top of the light heavyweight rankings - and with one eye on the winner of next month's title match between Daniel Cormier and Rumble Johnson.

But perhaps the most anticipated - and definitely the most emotional - fight will be local boy and veteran fighter Brad Pickett's retirement bout against Ecuador's Marlon Vera.

A flag-bearer for British MMA for nearly 13 years, there won't be a dry eye in the house tonight.