Dedicated UK fans who normally stay up super late for a UFC Fight Night or Pay Per View were treated to a fight card in their own backyard with the promotion’s return to London, England — capped by a heavyweight match-up between Alexander Volkov and Tom Aspinall.
With London not having a fight card since 2019, the UFC needed a big main event top the show. And frankly, little else is bigger than a heavyweight main event with two top contenders in the division.
Tom Aspinall continues to get the big names to stand against him in the octagon and a win over Alexander Volkov could be the fight to propel him to the top of the division — getting him closer to a title shot. That we’re even talking about title shots for Aspinall, given his relative youth in the weight class, says a lot.
Alexander Volkov has been so close to a title shot but has come up short in key match-ups. If Volkov could stop the rise of the young juggernaut Aspinall and steal his momentum, talk could continue with Volkov potentially being in the running for an interim title shot while Francis Ngannou heals up from surgery and sorts out his contract situation.
In the end, it was the British fighter’s night. It didn’t take long for Tom Aspinall to get the victory inside the O2 Arena. Once Aspinall got the fight to the ground with a double leg take down, he got to half guard and locked in a submission, putting the rest of the heavyweight division on notice as his stock surly rose as a top contender for the heavyweight title.
PROS GIVE THEIR TAKE
Here is how the pros reacted to the UFC’s return to London and the main event between Alexander Volkov and Tom Aspinall.
No one really used to drink beers after the fight. 🤔 Now everyone does 🙄🥱
— Tai BAM BAM Tuivasa (@bambamtuivasa) March 19, 2022
What a performance by Aspinall! Absolutely bodied a veteran in Alexander Volkov. The heavyweight division has a legit prospect! #UFCLondon
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) March 19, 2022
Tom Aspinall is slicker than a biscuit! #UFCLondon
— Ode' Osbourne 🇯🇲 (@OdeOsbourne) March 19, 2022
Crazy finishes tonight. This card is better than PPV event 👊🏼#UFCLondon
— Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) March 19, 2022
Next London card sign me up!!!#putmeincoach #UFCLondon
— Jamahal Hill (@JamahalH) March 19, 2022
Aspinall is a legit title challenger! Great hand speed, good TDs, great GnP strikes, young and fun to watch! #UFCLondon
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) March 19, 2022
Wow Aspinall 💣#UFCLondon
— Diana Belbiță (@DianaBelbita) March 19, 2022
Tom has some technique!! I think he’s a future champ ! Sick hands #UFCLondon
— JIMI MANUWA (@POSTERBOYJM) March 19, 2022
Tom Aspinall does not move like he's 252lb!! What an absolute performance!!!
He has the potential to be a real contender at the top of the Heavyweight division #UFCLondon
— Megan Anderson (@MeganA_mma) March 19, 2022
Good call out but it would’ve been better if he poured a beer in a shoe then threw it in the trash and gave tai the finger
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) March 19, 2022
Tom Aspinall is so good!! So we’ll rounded and moves like a damn featherweight #UFCLondon
— Alex Volkanovski (@alexvolkanovski) March 19, 2022
Love it. Not a mark on his face. Made it look easy.
Congratulations Tom Aspinall! 👏🏼#UFCLondon delivers again!
— Dan Hardy (@danhardymma) March 19, 2022
Tom Aspinall has Gold in his future! #UFCLondon
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) March 19, 2022
Man that’s was a beat down. UK fans spoiled tonight #UFCLondon
— Billy Quarantillo (@BillyQMMA) March 19, 2022
Wow. I’m definitely going to the next #UFCLondon, insane card!
— Angela Hill (@AngieOverkill) March 19, 2022
Congrats to Tom Aspinall . Big win .. the division has a new title contender. #UFCLondon
— Merab “The Machine” Dvalishvili (@MerabDvalishvil) March 19, 2022
