Tom Aspinall Pounds Curtis Blaydes, Calls Out Jon Jones

Aspinall put on a show for his home crowd in Manchester

Tom Aspinall is ready for Jon Jones. Or Alex Pereira.

Either way, it’s time for a massive bout for Aspinall.

Aspinall made quick work of Curtis Blaydes, knocking him down with a jab and then finishing the fight in only a minute following a flurry of ground and pound shots. It is a devastating loss for Blaydes (18-5-1), who is unlikely to ever get another title shot.

Tom Aspinall
Aspinall needed only a minute to put away Blaydes / Zuffa LLC

With his victory, Aspinall (15-3) retains the interim heavyweight championship. He avenges a loss from two years ago, where he destroyed his knee against Blaydes, and now he forges forward.

Aspinall called out Jon Jones for a title bout. That fight makes much more sense than does Jones against Stipe Miocic, which is a bout that has already passed its expiration date. But if Jones-Miocic is the plan for Madison Square Garden this November, then Pereira would make a perfect opponent for Aspinall.

Aspinall is the best finisher in the UFC. His time has arrived, and it will be appointment-viewing to see who he fights next.


Published
Justin Barrasso

JUSTIN BARRASSO

Justin Barrasso has been writing for Sports Illustrated since 2014. While his primary focus is pro wrestling and MMA, he has also covered MLB, NBA, and the NFL. He can be reached at JBarrasso@gmail.com and followed on Twitter @JustinBarrasso.