Ash Williams vs. Ryan Hall title match booked for Polaris 24
Ash Williams will defend his Polaris lightweight title against Ryan Hall at Polaris 24 on June 3.
Three-division Polaris champion Ash Williams is set to put his lightweight title on the line when he squares off with veteran black belt and current UFC featherweight contender Ryan Hall.
That matchup is slated for June 3 at Polaris 24, live from London.
Long considered one of the UK’s top competitors, Williams currently holds the bantamweight, featherweight, and lightweight Polaris titles. Last September, the Draig BJJ representative competed in his first-ever ADCC World Championships, losing on points in the first round to eventual 66kg champion Diogo Reis.
Williams would quickly bounce back to the win column, though, winning matches at Grapplefest and, in his most recent Polaris outing, submitting former UFC fighter Carlos Condit with an inside heel hook.
Hall, meanwhile, has been largely absent from the competitive grappling scene, instead focusing on his MMA career for the past nine years. He is a 2009 ADCC bronze medalist and is known for his complex guard game – particularly his inverted attacks, 50/50 attacks, and heel hooks.
Hall joined the UFC in 2015 after winning Season 22 of The Ultimate Fighter. Since then, he has lost just one time, but injuries and other circumstances have forced him out of competition as he has compiled a 5-1 record in the UFC over the past eight years. Hall most recently fought in December 2021 at UFC 269 when he defeated Darrick Minner by decision.
This matchup represents an intriguing clash of styles. On one hand, Williams is a relentless and tireless pressure passer that will confidently wade into the guard, fending off attacks as he gradually wears down his opponents with constant passing attempts. But Williams’ elite leg lock defense will be put to the test against Hall and his innovative leg lock entries.
How to watch: Polaris 24 takes place on Saturday, June 3 and will air live on UFC Fight Pass (subscription required).
