Tom Aspinall
England
Title defense booked
Aspinall will defend his UFC Heavyweight Championship against Ciryl Gane at UFC 321 on Oct. 26 in Abu Dhabi, according to UFC President Dana White (via Instagram Live).
ANALYSIS
The heavyweight division had been put on hold by Jon Jones keeping the UFC waiting on a possible unification bout against Aspinall, but Jones finally retired a month ago, which left Aspinall the champion by default. His first official defense will be against Gane, a kickboxer by nature who is coming off a controversial split decision victory over Alexander Volkov last December. There were rumors Derrick Lewis might skip the line, but Gane has the far higher rankings spot. Gane is perhaps the more technical kickboxer, but Aspinall has a big power edge, as well as the ability to take the fight to the mat (takedown defense has been a major issue for Gane in the past). Look for Aspinall to enter this one as a sizable betting favorite.
The heavyweight division had been put on hold by Jon Jones keeping the UFC waiting on a possible unification bout against Aspinall, but Jones finally retired a month ago, which left Aspinall the champion by default. His first official defense will be against Gane, a kickboxer by nature who is coming off a controversial split decision victory over Alexander Volkov last December. There were rumors Derrick Lewis might skip the line, but Gane has the far higher rankings spot. Gane is perhaps the more technical kickboxer, but Aspinall has a big power edge, as well as the ability to take the fight to the mat (takedown defense has been a major issue for Gane in the past). Look for Aspinall to enter this one as a sizable betting favorite.
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Crowned as new heavyweight champ
UFC CEO Dana White announced the retirement of Jon Jones during the post-fight press conference of UFC Baku on Saturday, which translates to Aspinall being promoted as the new heavyweight champion. "Jon Jones called us last night and retired," said White. "Jon Jones is officially retired. Tom Aspinall is the heavyweight champion of the UFC."
ANALYSIS
The 32-year-old Aspinall was the interim heavyweight champion before White's announcement, and now he has been elevated to undisputed champion following three consecutive wins over Marcin Tybura, Sergei Pavlovich, and Curtis Blaydes. It remains to be seen what the next fight for Aspinall will be, as all the roads in the heavyweight division pointed toward Aspinall facing Jones sooner rather than later. The one thing that's clear is that the next time he steps into the Octagon, he'll do so as the top heavyweight in the promotion.
The 32-year-old Aspinall was the interim heavyweight champion before White's announcement, and now he has been elevated to undisputed champion following three consecutive wins over Marcin Tybura, Sergei Pavlovich, and Curtis Blaydes. It remains to be seen what the next fight for Aspinall will be, as all the roads in the heavyweight division pointed toward Aspinall facing Jones sooner rather than later. The one thing that's clear is that the next time he steps into the Octagon, he'll do so as the top heavyweight in the promotion.
Retains title with ease
Aspinall retained his interim UFC Heavyweight Championship on Saturday, defeating Curtis Blaydes via KO (punches) at 1:00 of Round 1 at UFC 304 in Manchester, England.
ANALYSIS
Aspinall, in addition to retaining his belt, gets his revenge on Blaydes. He lost the first fight between the two in just 15 seconds back in July 2022 after blowing out his knee. Aspinall has been unstoppable since, running off three straight first-round knockout wins. The beginning of the end of this evening came when he cracked Blaydes with a left jab. That gives you the type of insane power this man possesses. Yes, he's an excellent athlete and a solid grappler, but Aspinall's power is a true difference-maker. By all accounts, the UFC plans to go with a Jon Jones v. Stipe Miocic title fight this coming fall, likely at Madison Square Garden in November. But all roads in the heavyweight division lead to an Aspinall v. Jones bout. It's arguably the biggest fight that can be made in the sport today. In the meantime, Aspinall will walk away with a $100,000 Performance of the Night bonus.
Aspinall, in addition to retaining his belt, gets his revenge on Blaydes. He lost the first fight between the two in just 15 seconds back in July 2022 after blowing out his knee. Aspinall has been unstoppable since, running off three straight first-round knockout wins. The beginning of the end of this evening came when he cracked Blaydes with a left jab. That gives you the type of insane power this man possesses. Yes, he's an excellent athlete and a solid grappler, but Aspinall's power is a true difference-maker. By all accounts, the UFC plans to go with a Jon Jones v. Stipe Miocic title fight this coming fall, likely at Madison Square Garden in November. But all roads in the heavyweight division lead to an Aspinall v. Jones bout. It's arguably the biggest fight that can be made in the sport today. In the meantime, Aspinall will walk away with a $100,000 Performance of the Night bonus.
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.