UFC heavyweight Tom Aspinall showed he only has eyes for Jon Jones after he knocked out Curtis Blaydes in just 60 seconds in a co-main event at UFC 304.
It was a big day for the UFC as Belal Muhammad became the welterweight champion in the main event, defeating Leon Edwards to become the first Palestinian to win the UFC.
UFC 305 LIVE FROM PERTH: DU PLESSIS VS ADESANYA | SUN 18 AUG 12 PM AEST | Play now with the great action of Kayo Sports. Major events on Kayo Sports and Foxtel is the exclusive home of UFC Pay-Per-View.
But it was the manner in which Aspinall retained the interim heavyweight title that drew the most attention.
Blaydes, who won the last fight against Aspinall in July 2022 after the Briton suffered a knee injury just 15 seconds into the fight, did not compete against the 31-year-old from Salford.
A left jab from Aspinall roused before a right caught Blaydes off balance, knocking the American onto his back before unleashing ground and pound to make short work of the American.
Although there were questions about the early call, Aspinall was on Blaydes.
“Unbelievable,” Michael Bisping commented.
“The power is different. The fighting spirit is different.”
It was Aspinall's first interim title defense as the Brit awaits a shot at UFC heavyweight king Jon Jones.
Jones won the heavyweight title for the first time in March 2023 but has not fought until now, having pulled out of a fight with Stipe Miocic in November last year due to injury . The pair are expected to fight at some point this year.
Although Jones has shown little interest in a fight with Aspinall, the Brit is only eyeing the heavyweight crown.
“I'm the best finisher in the UFC, if I start snowballing you, you're done,” Aspinall said.
“I spoke to the boss – who wants to see Tom Aspinall vs Jon Jones? I don't have anything against you personally, I just think I'm better than you
“I will come.”
It's a fight that UFC fighters want to see.
Derek Brunson tweeted: “Jon Jones v Tom Aspinall has to be done, get rid of the Stipe fight! I speak for everyone.”
Former UFC fighter Ben Askren wrote: “Aspinall is an animal! We want to know who is the best HWT in the world. “
Former Aussie UFC title challenger Megan Anderson commented: “Tom Aspinall ladies and gentlemen … and in just one minute. It's crazy right now! Give him that unification fight already!”
He added, “No more of this interim title… no more of this Jones vs Miocic. We love Jones vs Aspinall!!! “
As for Blaydes, what is the only blemish on Aspinall's record?
“I had nothing against him personally, but we needed to sleep,” he said. “It was a terrible accident. Now, I have had my revenge. Thank God.”
It came before Muhammad took the welterweight crown with a unanimous decision (48-47 x2, 49-46) win in the main event.
For the first time with a no-contest in March 2021, Muhammad became the first Palestinian champion in the UFC.
While it wasn't the most exciting fight, Muhammad held on for the win, taking Edwards to the canvas nine times in 13 attempts, choking the Brit on the contest. .
“Everybody's making a lot of noise right now,” Muhammad said.
“I see you now with tears. This is for my family, for my people in Palestine.
“To all my family at home, Alhamdulillah – God comes first.
“Secondly, this war is nothing. This war is for my family, my people in Palestine, they are fighting a real war. Inshallah, I put a smile on their face. ”
The card also saw Ireland's rising star, Paddy Pimblett, make the biggest statement of his career by submitting King Green in the first round to bring his victory to the eight fights and could be in the lineup.
Pimblett chokes Green unconscious with a triangle choke in a spectacular finish.
“A statement made by b****es,” Pimblett said after the fight.
“ … I have a number next to me now, don't I? So this is ignored.”
