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Tom Aspinall Defeats Curtis Blaydes by TKO to Retain Interim Heavyweight Title at UFC 304
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    Tom Aspinall Defeats Curtis Blaydes by TKO to Retain Interim Heavyweight Title at UFC 304

    Tom Aspinall made the most of his first title defence as interim heavyweight champion, retaining the belt in a first-round TKO win over Curtis Blaydes in the UFC 304 co-main event on Saturday.

    With the victory on home soil in Manchester, England, Aspinall improves to 15-3 (8-1 in UFC) and avenges his previous loss to Blaydes back in 2022.

    That fight was stopped in the first round due to a knee injury to the Englishman, and in the rematch, Aspinall made sure if things were going to end early, it’d be on his terms.

    The 31-year-old connected with a right jab that sent Blaydes to the ground and then upon the ensuing ground-and-pound assault, referee Marc Goddard had seen enough to stop things just a minute into the opening round.

    What’s next for the champion? Well if you’re listening to UFC president Dana White, Aspinall gets to wait for the winner of Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic. White said earlier in the week that whoever won on Saturday would get the winner of the legacy matchup between Jones and Miocic for a unification bout.

    Aspinall made sure to double down on that idea, calling out Jones immediately after having his arm raised.

    “Hello Jon, I have nothing against you personally, but I just think I’m better than you,” Aspinall said. “I just know I can beat you in a fight, so I’m coming for you.”

    White and the UFC have not yet confirmed a date for Jones vs. Miocic, although one speculation is it could be sometime in November when the organization typically holds an annual event at Madison Square Garden in New York.

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    In a highly anticipated matchup at UFC 304, Tom Aspinall emerged victorious over Curtis Blaydes by TKO to retain his interim heavyweight title. The fight, which took place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, showcased the skills and determination of both fighters, but ultimately it was Aspinall who came out on top.

    Aspinall, a rising star in the heavyweight division, entered the fight with a record of 12-2 and a reputation for his striking ability and knockout power. Blaydes, on the other hand, was a seasoned veteran with a record of 15-4 and a strong wrestling background. The clash of styles promised an exciting and unpredictable bout, and the fighters did not disappoint.

    From the opening bell, Aspinall showed his superior striking skills, landing crisp punches and kicks that kept Blaydes on the defensive. Blaydes, known for his wrestling prowess, attempted to take the fight to the ground multiple times, but Aspinall’s takedown defense proved to be too strong.

    As the fight progressed, Aspinall continued to press the action, landing heavy shots that rocked Blaydes and eventually led to a TKO victory in the third round. The win solidified Aspinall’s status as a top contender in the heavyweight division and set the stage for a potential title shot in the near future.

    After the fight, Aspinall expressed his gratitude to his team and fans for their support, and he vowed to continue his ascent to the top of the division. With this impressive victory under his belt, Aspinall has firmly established himself as a force to be reckoned with in the UFC heavyweight division.

    Overall, the bout between Tom Aspinall and Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304 was a thrilling showcase of skill and determination, with Aspinall emerging as the victor in impressive fashion. Fans can look forward to seeing more exciting performances from Aspinall as he continues his journey towards championship gold.