UFC London LIVE updates: Aspinall vs Tybura results tonight
Ciryl Gane reveals key coaching tip that he ignored in Jon Jones loss
The UFC returns to London this evening, as Tom Aspinall looks to right the wrong of his last outing at the O2 Arena.
The Wigan heavyweight takes on Marcin Tybura in the main event tonight, almost exactly one year on from his ill-fated clash with Curtis Blaydes, which ended after 15 seconds when Aspinall suffered a knee injury. Aspinall, 30, has since undergone surgery and claimed that he is now better than ever, and he will seek to prove that against Poland’s Tybura, 37.
In the co-main event, fan favourite “Meatball” Molly McCann goes up against Julija Stoliarenko, with the Liverpool strawweight aiming to get back to winning ways. In her most recent fight, McCann, 33, was submitted in the first round by Erin Blanchfield in November.
McCann’s close friend Paddy Pimblett will be in the crowd to cheer her on, and to watch what should be an entertaining set of contests, including Indy Sport’s pick for fight of the night: Nathaniel Wood, the only London fighter on the card, against Andre Fili at featherweight.
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UFC London 2023 LIVE: Aspinall vs Tybura
What a performance. Devastating when he struck, but without getting carried away and leaving himself exposed.
There was one nervy moment in there, but Aspinall was so much quicker and cleaner than Tybura.
Alex Pattle22 July 2023 23:13
UFC London 2023 LIVE: Aspinall vs Tybura
Aspinall: “I’ll tell you exactly what I’m gonan do: I’m gonna go to Paris [in September], I’m gonna sit front row for Ciryl Gane vs Sergey Spivak, and then I’m gonna fight the winner. Then, I’m gonna fight Jon Jones.”
The old Aspinall did not make callouts like that! The crowd laps it up!
Alex Pattle22 July 2023 23:11
UFC London 2023 LIVE: Aspinall vs Tybura
Aspinall: “I wasn’t myself [last time], this is a whole new version of me.
“I’m not gonna say that I’m back; I’m different. My mind’s different.
“I’m going all the way [to the belt].”
Alex Pattle22 July 2023 23:10
UFC London 2023 LIVE: Aspinall vs Tybura
Tom Aspinall def. Marcin Tybura via first-round TKO (punches, 1:13).
Alex Pattle22 July 2023 23:09
UFC London 2023 LIVE: Aspinall vs Tybura
Aspinall looks as relaxed as can be, given what happened the last time he was in this ring.
Tybura stands southpaw. He eats a head kick early, and Aspinall thinks about going for the kill! He blitzes with a couple of punches, but then realises that Tybura is still lucid and backs off.
A nervy exchange follows, with both heavyweights eating short punches to the head. Tybura then misses with a left hook as he steps in.
OH! DOWN GOES TYBURA after a right cross! Aspinall pounces, pouring on more strikes to the downed Pole, and the referee steps in!
It’s all over! The crowd erupts! Aspinall leaps onto the top of the fence, visibly emotional!!
Alex Pattle22 July 2023 23:08
UFC London 2023 LIVE: Aspinall vs Tybura
Aspinall is ranked fifth in the UFC heavyweight division, while Tybura is No 10.
Alex Pattle22 July 2023 23:04
UFC London 2023 LIVE: Aspinall vs Tybura
After Tybura walks out to “Can’t Stop” by Red Hot Chili Peppers, here comes Aspinall to his traditional walkout song: “Move On Up” by Curtis Mayfield.
Both are great choices by the heavyweights, if I may say so.
Aspinall is 12-3 as a pro, and all of his wins have come via stoppage. Eleven of them have come in Round 1, and one has come in Round 2. Nine of those finishes have been KOs/TKOs, and three have been submissions.
Alex Pattle22 July 2023 23:01
UFC London 2023 LIVE: Aspinall vs Tybura
Tybura, 37, is seeking his third straight win.
The Pole (24-7) outpointed Blagoy Ivanov in February after beating Alexandr Romanov via decision in August.
Alex Pattle22 July 2023 22:59
UFC London 2023 LIVE: Aspinall vs Tybura
Aspinall admitted after his ill-fated bout with Blaydes that the knee injury had been there, under the surface, for some time.
For a long while, the 30-year-old had been training and fighting while compromised, and it all came to a head at the worst possible time for him.
Aspinall suffered a torn MCL and stretched ACL after kicking Blaydes, but he claims that – in the months since – he has been able to train at 100 per cent for the first time in years.
Alex Pattle22 July 2023 22:56
UFC London 2023 LIVE: Aspinall vs Tybura
Here were the scenes one year ago, when Aspinall’s knee gave way in his highly-anticipated clash with Curtis Blaydes.
Aspinall hit the canvas just 15 secconds into Round 1 against Curtis Blaydes
(Getty Images)
Blaydes was unsure how to react as the fight ended almost as soon as it began
(Getty Images)
Aspinall left the Octagon in an emotional state, before revealing that the injury had been under the surface for some time
(Getty Images)
The 30-year-old claims to be better than ever now, however
(Getty Images)
Alex Pattle22 July 2023 22:52