Tom Aspinall to face Curtis Blaydes in UFC London main event
After his brilliant performance in the headliner at UFC London in March, Tom Aspinall is set for the main event at the UFC's return to the capital on July 23.
Tom Aspinall is back at the top of a UFC card in London, and he’s been handed the biggest test of his MMA career.
Aspinall has been matched with No. 4-ranked contender Curtis Blaydes in the main event of UFC London, which takes place at The O2 Arena on Saturday, July 23. Both men have agreed the bout (per MMA Junkie), with an official announcement set to follow imminently. The matchup was first reported by Ariel Helwani.
It’s a bout that puts Aspinall firmly in the heavyweight title picture, with victory likely to catapult him into a fight for a championship belt (undisputed or interim) later this year.
The British heavyweight’s appearance in the UFC London main event in March was a huge success. Aspinall’s relaxed, easy manner with the media made him a dream to deal with all week, and his performance on fight night capped off a spectacular event, with his straight armbar finish of Russian contender Alexander Volkov announcing his arrival as a legitimate threat to the best heavyweights in the world.
Now Aspinall is back, and he’ll face a very different test on July 23. Blaydes is the best wrestler in the division, and has the power in his hands to cause major problems for the UFC’s best. Arguably, it’s only his wrestle-first fighting style that has held him back to date. But he made a huge statement in his last appearance, when he TKO’d rising talent Chris Daukaus in the second round in a fight that saw Blaydes attempt no takedowns whatsoever.
That win, against a heavyweight striker, proved that Blaydes is more than capable of finishing the division’s best fighters with his own striking, and cemented him as a clear and present danger to his fellow contenders.
Aspinall vs. Blaydes will headline a fight card that looks set to be packed with Brits once again. Already reported for the event is a quartet of matchups, with notable names already set for the card.
Darren Till is reportedly set to return to action against Jack Hermansson, while Muhammad Mokaev will make his second UFC appearance when he takes on former LFA flyweight champion Charles Johnson. Also booked for the card is a light heavyweight bout between former title challenger Alexander Gustafsson and Nikita Krylov.
More bouts will follow in the days and weeks to come, as the UFC attempts to reproduce the unforgettable atmosphere the British fighters and fans generated back in March.
UFC London: Reported Bouts
Tom Aspinall vs. Curtis Blaydes
Darren Till vs. Jack Hermansson
Muhammad Mokaev vs. Charles Johnson
Alexander Gustafsson vs. Nikita Krylov
Photo: @tomaspinallofficial / Instagram