Tom Aspinall defends interim title and KO’s Blaydes during UFC 304

Tom Aspinall (15-3) defended his interim heavyweight title with a vengeance during UFC 304 on Saturday, after he smashed off Curtis Blaydes (18-5) with punches and left hands to the floor within a minute of their main event at Manchester, England.

By Brett Okamoto

July 28, 2024 at 0434 AM

Officially, Tom Aspinall is the UFC’s interim heavyweight champion. Unofficially, he’s probably the best heavyweight in the world — and maybe the division’s hardest hitter.

Aspinall (15-3) He defended his interim title in a ferocious style during UFC 304 on Saturday, after he smashed away the Curtis Blaydes (18-5) by punches and a left hand to the floor only one minute into their heavyweight title bout. The fight was a co-main event at the co-op Live arena located in Manchester.

After the victory, Aspinall called out the undisputed champion Jon Jones, widely thought to be the best boxer of the past. Jones is set to fight Stipe Miocic at some point in the future.

“I’m the top performer of the UFC If I begin with you and then snowball, I’m finished,” Aspinall said. “Who wants to watch Tom Aspinall vs. Jon Jones?”

Jones 37 has never been interested in combating Aspinall. Jones was scheduled to fight Miocic during November of last year’s fight during the fight in New York City, but pulled out due to injuries.

Aspinall Aspinall, from Salford, England, knocked Blaydes down by striking him with a counter punch. The hit didn’t take Blaydes out however it smacked him over the butt, and he swiftly retreated and covered his face with Aspinall’s follow-up strikes. Aspinall struck a succession of strikes that were unanswered towards the side of his head, triggering an end from the referee.

The win is avenging Aspinall’s one defeat in the UFC in the past, when he lost to Blaydes at the end of July in London. The fight was over in 15 seconds when Aspinall’s knee failed as the fighter attempted to kick. Aspinall was treated for surgery and returned a year after. Aspinall has finished three consecutively during the opening round of play since his return.

“I didn’t have any issues with Blaydes personally however we had to put this one behind us,” Aspinall said. “It was an accident that happened out of nowhere. Then, I’ve got my revenge. Thank God for that.”

Blaydes appeared calm and shrewd in the fight however, he was another victim to the speed and his finishing ability. He was able to land a great short left hook during the first exchange but was caught by the jab as the fighter came forward afterward. The fifth time Blaydes has been knocked out in the knockout phase.

Before UFC 304, CEO Dana White stated that aspinall-Blaydes’ winner will eventually be matched against Miocic-Jones but the fate for both Jones along with Miocic is not certain. Jones has only fought one time in the last four years. Miocic 42 hasn’t been a fighter in more than three years.