Tom Aspinall stopped Sergei Pavlovich within the first spherical to win the interim UFC heavyweight title in New York.
The 30-year-old landed two fast left-right mixtures to complete the Russian inside 69 seconds in entrance of a sold-out Madison Sq. Backyard.
He turns into solely the third British UFC title holder in historical past, after Michael Bisping (middleweight) and Leon Edwards (welterweight).
The interim title combat was a late addition to the cardboard after Jon Jones tore a pectoral tendon off the bone throughout coaching late final month. He wanted surgical procedure, and his heavyweight title defence in opposition to Stipe Miocic on the Backyard was referred to as off.
Aspinall stepped in on simply 17 days’ discover. Pavlovich, already on name because the understudy for the headliner, had no qualms about squaring up, both. However after this newest defeat, the knockout artist should reassess his championship credentials.
Aspinall thought as a lot after the combat. He collapsed in tears on the canvas and made an emotional speech to the gang.
He stated: “I really feel aid. I’ve achieved what I got down to obtain. After I received the knee damage, I wanted to decide: do I need this, or do I wish to retire?
“I made a decision I wished it, and it is paid off. I am actually joyful I made that call, and I am shifting ahead”.
The Englishman additionally said that he was “one of the best on the earth now”.
Jones may need beef with that decree, and luckily for him, Aspinall is eyeing him up as his subsequent opponent.
“Proper now, I wish to take a bit break,” he defined.
“I do know there’s loads of contenders developing for the time being, however I wish to combat Jones. That is my aim.
He is within the high two biggest ever. In fact I wish to check myself earlier than my profession’s over – however extra importantly, earlier than his profession’s over.
Give me my dream combat,” he implored. “Let me combat for my legacy, please.”
UFC CEO Dana White is of a unique thoughts and thinks Jones will face Miocic earlier than Aspinall’s needs are answered.
“That is the combat they need, that is the combat that is smart, that is the combat that ought to occur,” White stated.
Relying on Jones’ well being, the bout may very well be rescheduled for as early as subsequent summer time. However ought to both fighter step out of the motion, Aspinall will probably be ready to cement his heavyweight title file additional.