This past Saturday at UFC London, we saw a pivotal matchup in the heavyweight division in the headliner. England’s Tom Aspinall (12-3) was trying to defend home soil as he was taking on top contender Curtis “Razor” Blaydes (17-3, 1 NC).
Aspinall was looking to remain perfect in the UFC while Blaydes was looking for his third straight win. The last time that Blaydes tasted defeat inside the octagon was when he caught an uppercut from hell from Derrick Lewis.
The fight started out fast and furious with both men throwing big shots in the opening seconds. Aspinall pushed forward and threw a big leg kick that Blaydes went to check. Upon throwing the kick, Aspinall went down in a ton of pain grabbing his knee.
The fight was called off just 15 seconds into the UFC London main event. It wasn’t the way he wanted it to happen, but it goes down as a TKO win for Curtis Blaydes.
What’s next after UFC London?
For Blaydes, it still goes down in the books as a win. His third straight UFC win after his loss to Derrick Lewis. Regardless of the way it happened, Blaydes gets the win and will move forward from here. So, what’s next for the top contender?
Well, the UFC is making their Paris debut in a couple of months. Tai Tuivasa and France’s Ciryl Gane will be headlining that card. Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic seem to be on a collision course for the interim heavyweight title as Francis Ngannou recovers from his knee injury.
If I had to guess, the UFC will likely book Blaydes against the winner of Gane – Tuivasa. Perhaps we see Blaydes weigh-in as the backup fighter for Miocic – Jones just in case something happens at the last minute. However, I think the Gane – Tuivasa winner will be who Blaydes fights next.
Perhaps that fight would be the co-main to the card that would feature the interim champion taking on Francis Ngannou in early 2023.