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UFC London Reveals 3 Blockbuster Fights for July 22

The UFC makes a triumphant return to London

Mathew Riddle

Per Haljestam-USA TODAY Sports

The UFC has announced three spectacular bouts for its return to London on July 22.

No. 5 ranked heavyweight contender Tom Aspinall will fight No. 10 ranked Marcin Tybura in the main event of the evening, whilst Nathaniel Wood is set to face off with Andre Fili, and Lerone Murphy takes on Joshua Culibao. It is unconfirmed where the latter two fights fall on the card.

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The UFC officially announced Aspinall vs. Tybura via their Europe Twitter page on May 10. The Wood and Murphy matchups were confirmed via Marcel Dorff on Twitter on the same date.

Tom Aspinall & Nathaniel Wood Return From Devastating Knee Injuries

Both Aspinall and Wood are returning from knee injuries that forced them out of action for nearly a year.

Aspinall saw his title aspirations and unblemished UFC record stripped away when he injured his knee 15 seconds into his bout with Curtis Blaydes in July 2022. The British fighter tore his MCL and Meniscus and damaged his ACL when pivoting on a low kick.

When discussing his injury-induced break from fighting, Aspinall told the UFC, "The last time I went this long without punching something, I was 14 years old. It's been a long, long time."

Now almost a year after the injury, Aspinall is ready to return against the ever-game Tybura. It will be the first time Aspinall has fought down in the rankings so far in the UFC.

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Wood was dropped from UFC 286 when he sustained a knee injury in training. The South London fighter sliced his knee on the wooden trim around his gym's training space when securing a takedown.

"The Prospect" also shared the footage of the incident on his Instagram:

Whilst originally slated to fight his fellow countryman Murphy at UFC 286, Wood now takes on Fili, a strong kickboxer who is sure to test just how well the Brit has recovered.

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Mathew Riddle
MATHEW RIDDLE

Mathew is a UK-based combat sports journalist, graphic designer, and SEO expert with over five years of experience in digital marketing and a dedicated four-year track record in MMA journalism. He joined MMAKO in 2023. Mathew's insights have been featured on The Fight Fanatic, Heavy on UFC, Fansided, and Sportskeeda. Reach him at mr@thefightfanatic.com.

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