Tom Aspinall stopped Sergei Pavlovich within the first spherical to win the interim UFC heavyweight title in New York.
The 30-year-old landed two fast left-right mixtures to complete the Russian inside 69 seconds in entrance of a sold-out Madison Sq. Backyard.
He turns into solely the third British UFC title holder in historical past, after Michael Bisping (middleweight) and Leon Edwards (welterweight).
The interim title struggle was a late addition to the cardboard after Jon Jones tore a pectoral tendon off the bone throughout coaching late final month. He wanted surgical procedure, and his heavyweight title defence towards Stipe Miocic on the Backyard was referred to as off.
Aspinall stepped in on simply 17 days’ discover. Pavlovich, already on name because the understudy for the headliner, had no qualms about squaring up, both. However after this newest defeat, the knockout artist should reassess his championship credentials.
Aspinall thought as a lot after the struggle. He collapsed in tears on the canvas and made an emotional speech to the group.
He acknowledged: “The ‘UK man’ is the world champion. I am the most effective on this planet now.”
Jones may need beef with that decree, and fortuitously for him, Aspinall is eyeing him up as his subsequent opponent.
“Give me my dream struggle,” he stated. “Let me struggle for my legacy, please.”
UFC CEO Dana White thinks Jones will face Miocic earlier than Aspinall’s needs are answered.
“That is the struggle they need, that is the struggle that is smart, that is the struggle that ought to occur,” White stated.
Relying on Jones’ well being, the bout may very well be rescheduled for as early as subsequent summer season. However ought to both fighter step out of the motion, Aspinall will likely be ready to cement his heavyweight title report additional.
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