November 8, 2024

Tom Aspinall set for UFC 295 title fight against Russian KO machine after injury ruins Jon Jones vs Stipe Miocic

Stipe #Stipe

Tom Aspinall is set for his first UFC title fight.

The British superstar will face streaking contender Sergei Pavlovich for the interim heavyweight title at UFC 295 in New York at Madison Square Garden on November 11.

Aspinall will fight for UFC gold in 18 days times

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Aspinall will fight for UFC gold in 18 days timesCredit: Getty Jones will not be fighting at UFC 295 after his injury

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Jones will not be fighting at UFC 295 after his injuryCredit: AFP

On Tuesday, UFC CEO Dana White announced that the original main event between heavyweight champion Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic was off.

“Jon Jones was training last night, got injured, he was wrestling, and he tore the tendon that connects your pec to the bone, off the bone,” White said in a video posted to social media.

“[Out] eight months, going to need surgery. He’s out.”

White went on to confirm the light heavyweight title bout between Jiri Prochakza and Alex Pereira has been elevated to the main event.

The 54-year-old also announced a new co-headliner for UFC 295.

White added: “So the main event is Prochazka vs Pereira. The co-main event now is Pavlovich vs Aspinall for the interim heavyweight championship.”

Aspinall appeared to be on the cusp of a title shot before suffering a horrific knee injury when he headlined UFC London at the O2 Arena alongside Curtis Blaydes in July 2022.

Exactly one year later, he returned to the scene of the crime and exercised his demons by quickly knocking out perennial contender Marcin Tybura.

Miocic opted agaisnt facing a new opponent

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Miocic opted agaisnt facing a new opponentCredit: getty Pavlovich got the call for UFC 295

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Pavlovich got the call for UFC 295Credit: Getty

The 30-year-old appeared to need at least one more win before he was considered a title contender again but an unfortunate injury has presented him with an amazing opportunity.

Aspinall could become just the third British fighter to win a UFC title, following in the footsteps of MMA legend Michael Bisping and current welterweight king Leon Edwards.

It won’t be an easy night as he faces Pavlovich, who is a feared knockout artist riding an incredible run of victories in MMA’s premier promotion.

The 31-year-old was stopped by Alistair Overeem in his UFC debut but has since put together a six-fight win streak and KO’d top contenders Tai Tuivasa, Derrick Lewis and Blaydes.

UPDATED UFC 295 FIGHT CARD

  • Alex Pereira vs. Jiri Prochazka – for vacant light heavyweight title
  • Sergei Pavlovich vs. Tom Aspinall – for interim heavyweight title
  • Jessica Andrade vs. Mackenzie Dern
  • Diego Lopes vs. Pat Sabatini
  • Matt Frevola vs. Benoit Saint Denis
  • Kevin Borjas vs. Joshua Van
  • Stephen Erceg vs. Matt Schnell
  • Loopy Godinez vs. Tabatha Ricci
  • Jared Gordon vs. Mark Madsen
  • Nurullo Aliev vs. Mateusz Rebecki
  • Viacheslav Borshchev vs. Nazim Sadykhov
  • Dennis Buzukja vs. Jamall Emmers
  • John Castaneda vs. Kyung Ho Kang
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