Nick Peet | UFC London preview

THE meteoric rise of British heavyweight sensation Tom Aspinall continues at The O2 in London on Saturday when he headlines another stacked UFC card against American Curtis Blaydes.

In just his sixth UFC fight, Aspinall, from Atherton in Greater Manchester, will walk to the Octagon first as the betting favourite despite the fact Blaydes is ranked #4 in the world.

And with fan favourites Paddy Pimblett and Molly McCann on the undercard, fight fans are bracing themselves for another stellar evening, just four months on from the last UFC Fight Night.

Back in March, the UFC returned to London after a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic and the athletes delivered arguably the best night in the history of UK MMA, with performance bonuses spread far and wide.

Another night of overwhelming British success is expected this weekend with no less than 10 UK fighters aiming to have their hands raised and ensure the O2 will be rocking.

Tom Aspinall oblique kicking his opponent's rear knee while they're kicking pic.twitter.com/0KSGnGfyFG

— Miguel Class (@MigClass) July 20, 2022

Aspinall, 29, can climb within touching distance of a UFC title opportunity if victorious against Blaydes. But with both standing over six-foot-four and weighing north of 250lb’s one mistake can end a night in dramatic fashion.

Aspinall says: “This is heavyweight MMA; massive guys, tiny gloves. Anything can happen.” 

When it comes to the Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt and former Tyson Fury sparring partner, that anything usually means his opponent face down on the canvas inside five minutes.

Craig, McCann, Pimblett and Aspinall all to win – BOOSTED TO 13/2

Aspinall has not been extended past the second round in his 14-fight career, with four of his five wins in the UFC coming in the opening round and including four $50k Performance bonuses.

Blaydes, however, is a significant step up in class. The 31-year-old from Colorado is not only ranked in the top five, but has only lost to two men: big punching Dereck Lewis and current heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou.

With 11 knockouts also on his 20-fight career, ‘Razor’ Blaydes certainly packs a punch as well. But it’s the experience of the American that’s undoubtedly his biggest asset.

https://twitter.com/MMAThanos/status/1549410635405881347?s=20&t=CfE07FZKHDprBpySyia9cQ

Blaydes has featured in five five-round fights, and won over the 25-minute championship distance during his 15-fight UFC tenure. That one main event, against Alexander Volkov, lasted longer than Apsinall’s entire career.

But what he lacks in experience the Brit makes up for in speed and technical prowess. So far, he’s made the jump to the UFC look effortlessly easy.

His first main event in March – notably against Volkov – lasted less than four minutes as Aspinall’s hand speed and finishing instincts appear quicker and slicker than anything we have ever seen before in MMA’s heavyweight division.

Blaydes needs deep water to have any hopes of success. But extending Aspinall past 10 minutes has so far proved impossible and I doubt the American has seen anything like what’s coming his way when the cage door closes.

And, by the time Aspinall has his hand raised, London will already be rocking to the bouncy Scouse house celebrations of teammates ‘Paddy the Baddy’ and ‘Meatball’ Molly, who can build on their showstopper performances from March with another pair of highlight reel finishes

TIP: Aspinall by KO/Sub Round 1 – 39/20