Londons burning
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Didnt they lose power at the hotel in Halifax and have elevator problems in Cleveland? Ghosts of UFCs past.
Following reports of fire, fighters evacuated from host hotel on eve of UFC Fight Night 107
By Abbey Subhan,Simon Head March 17, 2017 9:10 pm
LONDON – Fighters set for action at UFC Fight Night 107 in London were getting settled in their rooms ahead of their fights on Saturday night, when their plans swiftly went out the window.
At around 11 p.m. on Friday night, fire alarms sounded at the Hilton Canary Wharf, which has is serving as the host hotel for this weekend’s event. That was followed shortly after by instructions to evacuate the building, as the smell of smoke spread through the building to as high as the 10th floor.
One of the first fighters evacuated was heavyweight guest fighter Francis Ngannou, who was then followed by a roster of stars set to compete Saturday at The O2.
MMAjunkie was on scene as the night unfolded and gathered reaction from some of the fighters, coaches and UFC staff standing out on the street.
Check out the live video replay below for reaction from UFC middleweight Scott Askham, coach Darren Morris, commentator John Gooden, bantamweight Brett Johns and coach John Kavanagh.
Like many others forced outside, Askham was in bed when the alarm sounded.
“As soon as you got into the fire escape, you could smell smoke,” Askham explained. “I don’t know what floor, but you could smell smoke coming down the fire exit.
“I would imagine it’s going to be a long time before we’re allowed back in. The only plus side, I suppose, is at least the opponent’s in the same boat.”
While Askham kept a brave face, Welsh bantamweight Johns was less impressed.
“I’m very, very, very frustrated,” Johns admitted. “I’d like to go to bed before my UFC fight tomorrow, but obviously I’ve got to wait, so I’m quite annoyed, really.”
UFC commentator Gooden was on the fourth floor of the building and said he understands the incident may have occurred between the ground and first floor of the building.
“I was there, researching away, putting some finishing touches to my notes, and I was just about to hit the sack, but that’s not happening,” Gooden said with a laugh.
SBG Ireland head coach Kavanagh is set to corner both Gunnar Nelson and Makwan Amirkhani on Saturday night but was in jovial mood despite the unexpected events of the evening. He’d just left a nearby restaurant and arrived back at the hotel to be greeted by the chaos.
“I turned the corner and saw what I thought was an ambulance,” Kavanagh explained. “And for some reason, in my head I thought, ‘Gunnar or Makwan’s opponent is sick.’ I was sure of it. I was like, ‘Ah, we’ve lost a fight.’ But then I heard it’s a fire and I was like, ‘Oh, OK. It’s not too serious.”
Kavanagh revealed that Amirkhani might be the only fighter not staying at the host hotel, so he’ll be unaffected and also joked that the always-stoic Nelson wouldn’t be overly concerned by having to stand in the cold breeze of a Friday night in London.
“For him, this is probably summertime temperatures,” Kavanagh joked. “He’s probably building an igloo somewhere.”
One fighter who seemed totally unconcerned about the whole affair was British lightweight Marc Diakiese. When asked if the chaos of the fire alarm caused him any concern, Diakiese flatly replied, “Nah. I was downstairs, so I just walked out.”
For more on UFC Fight Night 107, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.
Following reports of fire, fighters evacuated from host hotel on eve of UFC Fight Night 107
By Abbey Subhan,Simon Head March 17, 2017 9:10 pm
LONDON – Fighters set for action at UFC Fight Night 107 in London were getting settled in their rooms ahead of their fights on Saturday night, when their plans swiftly went out the window.
At around 11 p.m. on Friday night, fire alarms sounded at the Hilton Canary Wharf, which has is serving as the host hotel for this weekend’s event. That was followed shortly after by instructions to evacuate the building, as the smell of smoke spread through the building to as high as the 10th floor.
One of the first fighters evacuated was heavyweight guest fighter Francis Ngannou, who was then followed by a roster of stars set to compete Saturday at The O2.
MMAjunkie was on scene as the night unfolded and gathered reaction from some of the fighters, coaches and UFC staff standing out on the street.
Check out the live video replay below for reaction from UFC middleweight Scott Askham, coach Darren Morris, commentator John Gooden, bantamweight Brett Johns and coach John Kavanagh.
Like many others forced outside, Askham was in bed when the alarm sounded.
“As soon as you got into the fire escape, you could smell smoke,” Askham explained. “I don’t know what floor, but you could smell smoke coming down the fire exit.
“I would imagine it’s going to be a long time before we’re allowed back in. The only plus side, I suppose, is at least the opponent’s in the same boat.”
While Askham kept a brave face, Welsh bantamweight Johns was less impressed.
“I’m very, very, very frustrated,” Johns admitted. “I’d like to go to bed before my UFC fight tomorrow, but obviously I’ve got to wait, so I’m quite annoyed, really.”
UFC commentator Gooden was on the fourth floor of the building and said he understands the incident may have occurred between the ground and first floor of the building.
“I was there, researching away, putting some finishing touches to my notes, and I was just about to hit the sack, but that’s not happening,” Gooden said with a laugh.
SBG Ireland head coach Kavanagh is set to corner both Gunnar Nelson and Makwan Amirkhani on Saturday night but was in jovial mood despite the unexpected events of the evening. He’d just left a nearby restaurant and arrived back at the hotel to be greeted by the chaos.
“I turned the corner and saw what I thought was an ambulance,” Kavanagh explained. “And for some reason, in my head I thought, ‘Gunnar or Makwan’s opponent is sick.’ I was sure of it. I was like, ‘Ah, we’ve lost a fight.’ But then I heard it’s a fire and I was like, ‘Oh, OK. It’s not too serious.”
Kavanagh revealed that Amirkhani might be the only fighter not staying at the host hotel, so he’ll be unaffected and also joked that the always-stoic Nelson wouldn’t be overly concerned by having to stand in the cold breeze of a Friday night in London.
“For him, this is probably summertime temperatures,” Kavanagh joked. “He’s probably building an igloo somewhere.”
One fighter who seemed totally unconcerned about the whole affair was British lightweight Marc Diakiese. When asked if the chaos of the fire alarm caused him any concern, Diakiese flatly replied, “Nah. I was downstairs, so I just walked out.”
For more on UFC Fight Night 107, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.
Following reports of fire, fighters evacuated from host hotel on eve of UFC Fight Night 107
Three fighters test positive for marijuana at UFC Fight Night 104
Roflmao welcome to London boys
Roflmao welcome to London boys
Those failures were from feb 4th in Houston.
Would have been perfect if the fire was started by 3 fighters smoking weed.
Great song, great album.
@Onetrickpony it's "London's"
