Tom Aspinall beats Marcin Tybura in UFC London for heavyweight title

Tom Aspinall banished a ghost at the O2 Arena on Saturday, securing a statement victory at UFC London to make a triumphant return, one year after suffering a severe injury in the same building.

In July 2022, Aspinall tore his MCL and stretched his ACL just 15 seconds into his main event with Curtis Blaydes, and almost exactly 365 days later, the Wigan heavyweight stopped Marcin Tybura in the first round to get back to winning ways.

Aspinall, 30, hurt Tybura early with a head kick but resisted getting carried away, instead biding his time – briefly, at least – before dropping the Pole, 37, with a straight right hand. Aspinall then pounced with hammer fists, forcing the stoppage with 1:13 on the clock, before climbing atop the cage to celebrate.

In the build-up, a relaxed Aspinall showed a lot of respect for Tybura and this continued as the pair touched gloves and patted each other on the back to commence the fight.

This attack was followed by an elbow to the middle before a flurry of punches saw an end to the fight. Speaking to TNT Sports afterwards, Aspinall said: "I'm different now, I'm going all the way.

Aspinall's 258lb muscular frame is bigger than he has ever weighed in for a UFC fight before, but that has not affected his speed inside the octagon.

During the one minute and 13 seconds he spent fighting Poland's Tybura, Aspinall appeared just as quick, agile and technically sound as he ever has.

"I got in the octagon and I felt so calm, I've never felt as calm in my life," said Aspinall.

"I could see everybody, feel everything and hear my coaches from the beginning. It was special.

"It was such a confidence builder for me, it really was. I knew I could do it, but to show everyone else I could do it."

The result put the crowd back in jubilant spirits, after “Meatball” Molly McCann suffered a submission loss in the co-main event.

The Liverpudlian fan favourite tapped to an armbar in her flyweight contest with Julija Stoliarenko, on what was a night of mixed fortunes for British fighters.

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 Sarah H

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