The co-main event of UFC 304 features an interim heavyweight title fight between Tom Aspinall & Curtis Blaydes. Hometown hero Tom Aspinall is looking for his first defence of the interim title. Curtis Blaydes has earned this shot after defeating Jailton Almeida.
Tom Aspinall vs. Curtis Blaydes
Tom Aspinall holds the interim crown in the heavyweight division. Aspinall won the belt at UFC 295 in November after knocking out Sergei Pavlovich in dramatic fashion. The British heavyweight has stormed the heavyweight division with several exciting first-round finishes. Tom wants to avenge the knee injury TKO loss to Blaydes from 2 years ago and is highly motivated coming into this contest.
Curtis Blaydes comes into this fight looking for the title that has eluded him. Blaydes has been a stalwart of the heavyweight division’s top 10, and has wins over Jailton Almeida, Alexander Volkov, Junior dos Santos and more. He brings elite-level wrestling and a heavy-pressure game, Curtis carries power in his hands as well and has scored knockout wins during his UFC tenure. He’ll be looking to play a spoiler to Aspinall’s homecoming.
The Fight
Blaydes started off fast, opening up with sharp striking early. An exchange between the two heavyweights leads Aspinall to clinch against the cage. The pair separate and immediately a left hand lands for Aspinall, sending Blaydes across the Octagon. Aspinall jumps at the opportunity, sprinting to the back of Blaydes before landing lightning-fast ground and pound. The referee is forced to step in and stop the bout. The crowd goes wild as Aspinall avenges his only UFC loss in the first round. The fight was stopped at exactly one minute of Round 1. Aspinall was quick to call out current heavyweight champion Jon Jones on the mic following his win.
Do you think Tom Aspinall is currently the best heavyweight in the world? Do you want to see him fight Jon Jones next? Let us know in the comments below!
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