Tom Aspinall has hailed "true gentleman" Curtis Blaydes after his rival visited him for a drink following his freak leg injury.
Aspinall accepted the challenge of heavyweight contender Blaydes at UFC London last weekend as he looked to take one step further up the division's rankings. However his night ended in disaster with just 10 seconds on the clock, when he suffered a serious-looking knee injury following a kick on his rival's thigh.
The British star received treatment in the octagon from medical staff and was carried away on a stretcher ending his night in TKO defeat. After the fight, his rival Blaydes came to his dressing room and the pair were seen sharing a beer and talking through the unfortunate events of their short meeting.
Aspinall posted a picture of the pair on Instagram with the caption: “A beer makes everything feel better. What a guy, big Curtis and his team popped up to say hello. Freak accidents happen unfortunately, tonight wasn’t my night. Love you all."
Shortly afterwards Aspinall praised his rival's actions, writing: " Last night wasn’t my night, my training camp in the build up to the fight has been brilliant. Sometimes these things happen; now is the time to recover, rebuild and come back stronger! Wanted to say a huge thank you to the UFC, the doctors and paramedics that looked after me. But, also to the fans!
"For all the messages you’ve sent and support you’ve given me, in the build up to the fight and after the freak injury. You’re all amazing! Want to thank Curtis for being a true gentleman, it didn’t work out how we both wanted, but to come and see me after for a beer makes you a legend in my eyes. Finally, my team and my family. We all know this is elite sport, we live to fight another day!"
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It remains unclear what impact this will have on Aspinall's career, with the British star on a five-fight win streak prior to his unfortunate defeat. Aspinall had previously had huge success at the UFC's return to London earlier in the year where he defeated Alexander Volkov.
The UFC star also decided to have a pint to celebrate his victory back in April albeit in totally different circumstances. Aspinall revealed he had expected a trip to hospital in his last fight instead so refused to book an after-party. "I expected it to go five [rounds]. There was so many people coming to support me, flying in from other countries that sort of stuff," he said after his victory back in April.
"People asked me, 'What are you doing about the after party?', but I purposely didn't book an after party cause I was pretty sure I was going be in the hospital after the fight. I knew I was going to win the fight, but I was pretty sure I'd have some broken bones or some stitches."
