The UFC is ready to set sail from Fight Island, after one more card. UFC Fight Island 3 on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi is headlined by top middleweights Robert Whittaker (former champ) and Darren Till. Also on the card are Shogun Rua and Antônio Rogério Nogueira, meeting for the third time. Plus Fabrício Werdum vs. Alexander Gustafsson, in the Swede’s heavyweight debut. Also at heavyweight, Englishman Tom Aspinall. He will be making his octagon debut against the returning Jake Collier (11-4 MMA, 3-3 UFC).
Tom Aspinall
6’5″
Heavyweight
26-years-old
Greater Manchester, England
Team Kaobon Liverpool
7-2
6 KO/TKO
1 Submission (Heel Hook)
How will Aspinall fare in the UFC:
Tom Aspinall has a lot of experience in martial arts. He went 9-0 as an amateur, has a pro boxing record of 1-0, muay thai record of 2-0, and a BJJ black belt. On the feet, Aspinall is a good boxer. He has good power and exceptional hand speed and that makes up for the times he will reach with his punches. His takedown defense does need work and while his grappling is decent it will fall short at a high level. Good offensively and defensively he needs some work as he’s a bit green still. Aspinall I think has potential and is only 26 so if built up correctly he can be something in the future.
How he matches up with Collier:
Collier hasn’t fought in almost three years and of his six UFC opponents only one is still in the promotion, that being Devin Clark. Collier has never been impressive, he usually does well for a round but slows significantly in the later portion of the fight. Aspinall has a clear advantage in striking so Collier will have to wrestle. He may be able to take Aspinall down but I don’t think he can hold him down nor keep taking him down. I’m with Aspinall because of the long layoff from Collier and the fact he’s moving up to heavyweight when he’s a natural 185lb’er.
