A bit of a slip from Riley means he is stuck against the fence, but gets himself out of it nicely.

His coaches asked to keep it central, and apart from that slight blip, he has done that.

This is a fairly close battle so far. Can a first big hit of the fight open it up?

Riley's coaches have told him to focus on keeping his hands up, and stay in the centre. Simple advice, but perhaps quite effective in the heat of the moment.

Image source, Getty Images

Paul Battison
BBC Sport journalist at the O2 Arena

Luke Riley's career may be heading in a similar trajectory to team-mate Paddy Pimblett but his personality is very different.

He lacks Pimblett's charisma but Riley doesn't want that - he wants to reach the top my being his authentic self.

He's built a reputation as a knockout artist and the fans are excited to see what he can do - he just got one one of the biggest cheers of the night during the introductions.

Riley may want to show he is a main event fighter, and he's certainly found his rhythm as the round has gone on with a few nice combinations.

His hands are so fast, so technical.

Image source, Reuters

Michael Bisping
Former UFC middleweight champion on TNT Sports

Riley wants to show that he is a main event fighter. That's what he was pre-UFC and he wants to show he can still do that.

You'll be glad to know that there has probably been more action in the opening exchanges of this fight than our last contest.

Aswell Jr sets the tone with a big right hook before pushing Riley to the fence. But the Englishman comes out relatively unscathed.

And here comes Luke Riley! To the sound of an upbeat, house-type rhythm - which Michael Bisping on commentary was a big fan of.

He greeted plenty of fans en route to the centre, but didn't take his eye off the cage once - he is locked in.

The Scouser dons the red shorts in tonight's co-main event.

Image source, Getty Images

Luke Riley has followed a familiar path to reach the UFC. Like Michael Bisping, Paddy Pimblett, Conor McGregor, Tom Aspinall and Molly McCann, Riley earned his stripes with promotion Cage Warriors before making the step up.

Riley made his UFC debut against Bogdan Grad in November. The Liverpudlian was out-grappled in the first round but showed why he had been signed to the promotion by overcoming adversity and winning by second-round knockout.

"I went through a lot of adversity in Cage Warriors. I feel like with some fighters it takes maybe 10 to 15 fights to get a bit of adversity. I had it three fights in, where I'd been fighting the best," Riley tells BBC Sport.

"So when that moment came against Grad it was nothing new, I've felt this before, it was easy work."

Image source, Getty Images

Luke Riley doesn't have to look far for inspiration when he's going through the hard yards in training. The featherweight spends a lot of time on the mats with lightweight and fellow Liverpudlian Paddy Pimblett.

Riley watched Pimblett burst on to the scene with the UFC in 2021 and, having picked up seven successive victories, earn a shot at the interim title.

Pimblett came up short against Justin Gaethje in that title contest but has established himself as a key figure within the sport - something Riley also hopes to achieve.

"He's been very important to me. He's always had 100% belief and support in me, and pushed me on way more than he's needed to do," Riley says of Pimblett.

"I'm in the gym with him every day. Just being on the mat with him every single day of the week has pushed me on.

"Mentally and emotionally we click, we're very similar. He doesn't need to help me with that because he's seen the similarities."

Image source, Getty Images

Fans love finishes, especially knockouts, and if you deliver enough of those on a consistent basis then the UFC is likely to set you on the path to headlining cards and the ultimate goal of title fights.

Luke Riley is a fighter that falls firmly into that category with nine of his 12 wins coming inside the distance.

After sealing a knockout victory on his UFC debut, Riley is looking to back it up with another eye-catching performance tonight.

"If you've got an exciting fighting style for the fans the commercial side, the social media, doesn't matter as much," Riley told BBC Sport.

"My advice is don't get caught up too much into social media. I feel I'm an example of that."

It's a win for Michael 'Venom' Page.

Not many in the crowd cheering the result. I'm not sure the fans wanted either to be awarded a win for that underwhelming contest.

We were waiting to hear from MVP but there is no post-fight interview in the cage... make of that what you will.

On we go to the co-main with Luke Riley against Michael Aswell Jr.

Image source, Getty Images

Paul Battison
BBC Sport journalist at the O2 Arena

Michael 'Venom' Page's style can be very hot and cold. When it pays off he's delivered some spectacular knockouts but when it doesn't you get contests like that.

He's a master with his footwork and avoiding damage but the fans didn't enjoy that.

They will be hoping Luke Riley can deliver some knockout power in the next contest.

They finish the fight back on the fence with Patterson throwing his shoulder up into Page's chin. Page smiles, shakes his head and mercifully we hear the buzzer.

That is not going to live long in the memory.

The biggest cheer of the fight arrives when the referee splits the two fighters as Patterson again is unable to do any damage from the clinch on the fence.

Michael Bisping
Former UFC middleweight champion on TNT Sports

It's close, it's 18-16 on strikes, but not a lot has happened.

Patterson gets his arms wrapped around the waist of Page again and forces his opponent's back to the cage. Patterson lands a couple of knees in the clinch but he's not making any real progress in trying to secure the takedown.

There is a warning from the referee for more activity in this position otherwise it's going to be split up.

They end up splitting on their own before Patterson gets back to the same position and struggles to work.

Image source, Getty Images