UFC Fighters React to Tom Aspinall Smashing Curtis Blaydes in Round One at UFC 304

The UFC touched back down in the UK in a sold-out Co-op Live Arena in Manchester for UFC 304. The crowd were treated to a card rammed with British talent, a true testament to the success of British MMA. In the co-main event hometown hero Tom Aspinall put his heavyweight title up for grabs against Curtis Balydes.

Tom Aspinall v Curtis Blaydes Preview

Tom Aspinall has stacked up the records since his UFC debut in 2020. He’s got the shortest fight time in UFC history among others. Back in November, he secured his place amongst the heavyweight elite by knocking out Sergei Pavlovich and securing the interim heavyweight championship. Tom presents a problem to heavyweights with his unique speed in both his hands and feet, slick ground game and knockout power. None in the UFC have been able to solve the Aspinall puzzle.

Curtis Blaydes comes into this fight looking for the title that has eluded him. Blaydes has been a stalwart of the heavyweight division’s top 10, and has wins over Jailton Almeida, Alexander Volkov, Junior dos Santos and more. He brings elite-level wrestling and a heavy-pressure game, Curtis carries power in his hands as well and has scored knockout wins during his UFC tenure. He’ll be looking to play a spoiler to Aspinall’s homecoming.

The pair have previous, almost 2 years ago to the day the pair met before. In a hotly anticipated fight and one seen as Aspinalls biggest challenge, the heavyweights were set to throw down in London. However, after 15 seconds of the fight, after throwing a leg kick, Tom stepped back awkwardly and tore tendons in his knee. Blaydes was handed the victory by TKO and the rematch has been on the cards ever since.

Fight Recap

Tom Aspinall was able to get his revenge against Curtis Blaydes after 2 years. This was when he was able to defeat the American heavyweight after only a minute. Tom Aspinall was able to drop Curtis Blaydes with a massive right hand in the first minute. Aspinall would then jump onto Blaydes landing some ground and pound before the referee stopped the fight.

Fighters react to Aspinall’s First Round Stoppage

No more of this Interim title nonsense… no more of this Jones vs Miocic..

We want Jones vs Aspinall!!! #ufc304

— Megan Anderson (@MeganAnderson) July 28, 2024

Amazing performance from Aspinall. Gutted for Blaydes to get done like that. Live and we learn, move on and get better #UFC304

— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) July 28, 2024

Early stoppage

— Eryk Anders (@erykanders) July 28, 2024

How can you argue Aspinal isn’t the best heavyweight walking the planet today. It’s not close. Jon Jones argument doesn’t work the sample size is one fight that was against a dude who can’t grapple. #ufc304

— Brendan Schaub (@BrendanSchaub) July 28, 2024

Tom Aspinall ladies and gentleman… and in under a minute 👏🏻👏🏻 it's actually insane at this point!

Give him that unification fight already! #ufc304

— Megan Anderson (@MeganAnderson) July 28, 2024

Tom checks all the boxes. He now just needs the biggest fights he can get. #ufc304

— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) July 28, 2024

Maybe could have let that go a tad bit longer #ufc304

— kurt holobaugh (@KurtHolobaugh) July 28, 2024

Early stoppage?#UFC

— Natan Levy ✡︎ (@Natan_Levy) July 28, 2024

That was quick

#UFC304

— Diana Belbiță (@DianaBelbita) July 28, 2024

Damn glad I didn’t have to step in against aspinal 😳

— Dan Ige (@Dynamitedan808) July 28, 2024

Jon Jones v Tom Aspinall is a must , scrap the Stipe fight ! I speak for everyone

— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) July 28, 2024

Aspinall is a beast!! We wanna know who the best HWT in the world is.

— Funky 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 (@Benaskren) July 28, 2024

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Featured Image Credit via Embed from Getty Images