It shouldn’t have been that easy. The main event of UFC London in March saw Tom Aspinall headline a UFC card for the first time, while also fighting in front of an arena full of fans for the first time since signing for the promotion. Across the Octagon stood Alexander Volkov, an MMA veteran with twice as many knockouts as Aspinall had fights. In a little over three-and-a-half minutes, Aspinall had dispatched the Russian, submitting the former Bellator heavyweight champion with a straight arm lock after outstriking Volkov and taking him down in clinical fashion. It shouldn’t have been that easy.
In three minutes and 45 seconds, Aspinall had exhibited the crispness of striking, speed of reflex and precision of timing that have set him apart at heavyweight and earned him four stoppage wins from four performances in the UFC. To take those totals to five apiece was one matter, but to do so in the pressure cooker of the O2 Arena and against his toughest opponent yet was another. Four months later, Aspinall must do it again. On Saturday 23 July, the Wigan heavyweight will face Curtis Blaydes in an even sterner test as he tops the bill at UFC London once more.
