Having claimed yet another first round knockout victory over a fellow heavyweight contender, here at SportsLens we assess several options for English UFC star Tom Aspinall and who he might fight next. Aspinall is without a doubt one of the best heavyweights in the world right now, and will look to get back in the octagon before the end of the year.
What Next For Tom Aspinall?
Having knocked out Marcin Tybura in the main event at UFC London on July 22nd at the O2 Arena, London, we decided to explore some of Tom Aspinall’s potential options. Could he fight before the end of the year? Will the English MMA star fight in a final eliminator for the UFC Heavyweight Title? Could Aspinall rematch Curtis Blaydes?
We aim to answer some of these questions in this article.
One thing is for sure, Tom Aspinall has tons of options, and won’t be struggling for a fight next time he steps foot in the octagon.
Fight Winner of Ciryl Gane vs Sergey Spivak?
It seems that the most obvious and most likely fight for Tom Aspinall next is fighting the winner of Ciryl Gane vs Sergey Spivak. The pair of heavyweight’s fight on September 2nd, with Aspinall saying he will be sat at octagon-side watching on with intent.
If it is Ciryl Gane that wins the bout versus Spivak, Aspinall vs Gane before the end of the year or early next year makes total sense.
Gane was last seen getting annihilated in one round by Jon Jones in their bout for the UFC Heavyweight Title. He is still the #2 ranked heavyweight contender, despite losing two title fights in the UFC to Jones and Francis Ngannou respectively.
This fight makes more sense for Aspinall too, as it means he would become the #2 contender at heavyweight and next in line for a title shot if he were to beat the Frenchman.
Alternatively, if it is Sergey Spivak who defeats Gane, then a rematch between Aspinall and the Moldovan could be next. Some UFC fans may see this fight as pointless for Aspinall, given the fact he stopped Spivak inside one round via TKO back when the pair fought in September 2021.
However, if Gane wins the fight with Spivak, which he is the overriding favourite to do with the best UK sports betting sites, then a fight between the Englishman and the Frenchman makes total sense next.
Rematch With Curtis Blaydes?
Another potential fight for Tom Aspinall next is of course a rematch with Curtis Blaydes – who Aspinall fought last year. This was of course the fight in which Aspinall blew his knee within 15 seconds of the fight and was deemed to lose due to not being able to continue.
The #4 and #5 ranked heavyweight contenders fought on the 23rd July last year, in the main event of another UFC London show at the O2 Arena. The fight was seen as a true 50/50 on paper, with both Aspinall and Blaydes so evenly matched.
However, the worst possible ending to a fight came to fruition for Aspinall as he ruptured his knee ligament and blew his entire right knee out when throwing a leg-kick after just 15 seconds of the fight.
The bout was halted immediately due to this horrific injury, with Blaydes also incredibly disappointed at how the fight ended. Of course, the American was handed the TKO victory, but we all know that isn’t totally fair on Aspinall.
UFC fans would most definitely be up for seeing a rematch between the pair, given how the first fight ended and how evenly matched they are skill-for-skill. If this fight is to happen next, it could take place before the end of the year. It makes total sense, with Blaydes not currently set to fight anyone else on the heavyweight roster.
Of course, Aspinall would likely go into the rematch as the slight favourite with the best sports betting apps, given his level of performance against Marcin Tybura last time out. This option perhaps isn’t the most likely, but it is certainly one that makes sense given the narrative that has already been built.
Fight Sergei Pavlovich In Final Eliminator For UFC Heavyweight Title?
Last but by no means least, a third option for Tom Aspinall could be a mouth-watering contest with #1 ranked heavyweight contender, Sergei Pavlovich.
The Russian MMA star is widely regarded as the most dangerous man in the division outside of the champion, Jon Jones. Pavlovich is yet to have his shot at UFC gold as well, so a fight with Tom Aspinall could be billed as a final eliminator for the belt, that is for sure.
Pavlovich was last seen in action earlier this year, dispatching former Aspinall opponent Curtis Blaydes inside one round in their heavyweight bout back in April. The 18-1 MMA fighter put on a devastating performance against Blaydes, firmly stamping his authority as the outright #1 ranked contender at heavyweight in the UFC.
A fight between Aspinall and Pavlovich is a mouth-watering fight in prospect, and again is likely to be evenly matched. It could be seen as a 50/50 fight on paper, despite Pavlovich possibly being the slight bookies favourite with the best online gambling sites.
If the pair were to fight next, it would most definitely be the final eliminator for the UFC heavyweight Title. Jon Jones is of course defending his belt at UFC 295 on November 11th later this year against former champion Stipe Miocic.
Jones will be the overriding favourite with the best UFC betting sites against Miocic, that is for sure. If he is to make a successful first defence of his strap, then a fight with the winner of Pavlovich vs Aspinall makes total sense for next year.
No matter who the Salford man fights next, it is sure to be a mega-fight. Tom Aspinall is one of the biggest names in the heavyweight division now, and has thrown his name into the hat as a genuine contender. Not only that, but he draws a huge fanbase from UK MMA fans.
Be sure to claim the various sports betting apps and UFC free bets available on the SportsLens site ahead of Aspinall’s next fight.
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