Avenging his sole Octagon loss tonight in the co-main event of UFC 304, interim heavyweight champion, Tom Aspinall makes lightwork of perennial contender, Curtis Blaydes in their title rematch — stopping the Illinois native with a first round TKO win via ground strikes in Manchester.
Aspinall, the current interim heavyweight titleholder, won his spoils back in November of last year at Madison Square Garden, running through Russian contender, Sergei Pavlovich with another dominant opening round knockout win in New York.
And drawing heavyweight staple, Blaydes tonight after suffering a debilitating knee injury — resulting in a TKO loss to the former two years ago, Tom Aspinall became the first fighter since Renan Barao to successfully retain an interim crown.