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UFC London takes place Saturday, so it's time to break down the top fights, plus make DFS picks and predictions for the key matchups on the card.
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Defending title in Manchester
Aspinall will defend his title against Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304 in Manchester, England on July 27, per Damon Martin of MMAFighting.com.
ANALYSIS
Aspinall will make his first title defense in his home country in a rematch of his long UFC loss. The six-foot-five Englishman is currently coming off back-to-back wins, including a first-round knockout victory over Sergei Pavlovich to take home the interim UFC Heavyweight title. Aspinall owns considerable stopping power, with 10 of his 14 professional wins across promotions coming by KO/TKO, and will hope to use it to take out Blaydes.
Aspinall will make his first title defense in his home country in a rematch of his long UFC loss. The six-foot-five Englishman is currently coming off back-to-back wins, including a first-round knockout victory over Sergei Pavlovich to take home the interim UFC Heavyweight title. Aspinall owns considerable stopping power, with 10 of his 14 professional wins across promotions coming by KO/TKO, and will hope to use it to take out Blaydes.
Newest holder of UFC gold
Aspinall became the interim UFC Heavyweight Champion on Saturday, defeating Sergei Pavlovich via KO (punches) at 1:09 of Round 1 at UFC 295 in New York City.
ANALYSIS
Less than 16 months after blowing out his knee in a fight against Curtis Blaydes, Aspinall holds UFC gold. He's fought just twice since then. A 73-second knockout win over Marcin Tybura this past July and a 69-second whitewashing of Pavlovich here. Aspinall had to eat one big shot from Sergei, which he did without issue. The same can't be said for the first big punch Tom connected with. That big shot and follow-up strikes would go on to earn him one of five $50,000 Performance of the Night bonuses awarded on the evening. Outside of perhaps Jon Jones, the current UFC Heavyweight Champion, no heavyweight on the UFC roster moves with the fluidity of Tom. His footwork is exceptional, the power clearly legitimate and he's a high-end wrestler. It's a combination rarely found in bigger fighters. Sure, a guy might possess one or even two of those traits, but to bring all three to the table is something else entirely. It's an absolutely remarkable story, made even more remarkable by his disclosure that he suffered a back injury leading up to the fight that limited his training and almost prevented him from making the walk to the cage Saturday.
Less than 16 months after blowing out his knee in a fight against Curtis Blaydes, Aspinall holds UFC gold. He's fought just twice since then. A 73-second knockout win over Marcin Tybura this past July and a 69-second whitewashing of Pavlovich here. Aspinall had to eat one big shot from Sergei, which he did without issue. The same can't be said for the first big punch Tom connected with. That big shot and follow-up strikes would go on to earn him one of five $50,000 Performance of the Night bonuses awarded on the evening. Outside of perhaps Jon Jones, the current UFC Heavyweight Champion, no heavyweight on the UFC roster moves with the fluidity of Tom. His footwork is exceptional, the power clearly legitimate and he's a high-end wrestler. It's a combination rarely found in bigger fighters. Sure, a guy might possess one or even two of those traits, but to bring all three to the table is something else entirely. It's an absolutely remarkable story, made even more remarkable by his disclosure that he suffered a back injury leading up to the fight that limited his training and almost prevented him from making the walk to the cage Saturday.
Interim title fight scheduled
Aspinall will face Sergei Pavlovich in an interim heavyweight title fight at UFC 295 in New York on Nov. 11, Shaheen Al-Shatti of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
Jon Jones had been scheduled to defend his heavyweight tile against Stipe Miocic at UFC 295, but both will be removed from the card after Jones suffered a pectoral injury in training that will require surgery. Aspinall and Pavlovich are now set to compete for the interim title, with Aspinall making his return to the Octagon for the first time since defeating Marcin Tybura via TKO in London on July 22.
Jon Jones had been scheduled to defend his heavyweight tile against Stipe Miocic at UFC 295, but both will be removed from the card after Jones suffered a pectoral injury in training that will require surgery. Aspinall and Pavlovich are now set to compete for the interim title, with Aspinall making his return to the Octagon for the first time since defeating Marcin Tybura via TKO in London on July 22.
Dominates in return from injury
Aspinall defeated Marcin Tybura via TKO (punches) at 1:13 of Round 1 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in London.
ANALYSIS
Competing for the first time in 364 days following a knee injury, Aspinall made a statement. He destroyed Tybura, battering his opponent with countless, unanswered power shots until referee Marc Goddard stepped in. The stoppage would go on to earn him a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus. Aspinall is a rare breed for a heavyweight. He combines high-end power with ridiculous athleticism. He's no slouch on the mat, as well. In his post-fight interview, Tom said he plans on being front row for the September fight in Paris between Ciryl Gane and Sergey Spivac. He said he'll beat the winner of that, and then go on to defeat Jon Jones. Sounds good to us. There's a case to be made Aspinall has the highest ceiling of any heavyweight on the UFC roster.
Competing for the first time in 364 days following a knee injury, Aspinall made a statement. He destroyed Tybura, battering his opponent with countless, unanswered power shots until referee Marc Goddard stepped in. The stoppage would go on to earn him a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus. Aspinall is a rare breed for a heavyweight. He combines high-end power with ridiculous athleticism. He's no slouch on the mat, as well. In his post-fight interview, Tom said he plans on being front row for the September fight in Paris between Ciryl Gane and Sergey Spivac. He said he'll beat the winner of that, and then go on to defeat Jon Jones. Sounds good to us. There's a case to be made Aspinall has the highest ceiling of any heavyweight on the UFC roster.
Return scheduled
Aspinall (knee) will fight Marcin Tybura in a heavyweight bout at UFC London on July 22, according to Nolan King of USA Today.
ANALYSIS
This will be Aspinall's first fight scheduled after his knee injury suffered at UFC Fight Night 208. Unlike the Blaydes bout then, Aspinall is expected to fight someone older below him rankings-wise. However, No. 10 Tybura has a 7-1 record across his last eight fights.
This will be Aspinall's first fight scheduled after his knee injury suffered at UFC Fight Night 208. Unlike the Blaydes bout then, Aspinall is expected to fight someone older below him rankings-wise. However, No. 10 Tybura has a 7-1 record across his last eight fights.