MMA
UFC Fight Night preview: Blaydes looks to stop Aspinall winning streak
UFC Fight Night 208 is back with a bang at the O2 Arena in London this Saturday, with an electric card topped off by a heavyweight main event, which looks unlikely to go the distance.
We preview the best of the action below.
Blaydes to break winning streak?
Curtis Blaydes has a remarkable record of 16-3 in the octagon, with those three defeats being against true veterans of the sport. He was defeated twice by Francis Ngannou, the current heavyweight champion and most recently, suffered a loss to Derrick Lewis in 2021, who is also one of the strongest and most dangerous men in the sport.
During his last appearance, Blaydes stopped Chris Daukaus after just 17 seconds of the second round, after a dominant first round which saw him win on all three judges’ scorecards. Despite being the underdog in this match up at 6/5, Blaydes will be full of confidence given his lengthy resume as one of the most accomplished fighters in the division.
Blaydes has won 11 of his 16 wins by way of KO/TKO, and will no doubt be looking to add to that impressive tally in this five-round main event. His background as a strong wrestler has set him up well as he has developed his striking ability. Should he manage to finish Tom Aspinall before the fight goes to points, the odds of him winning by KO/TKO/DQ or submission are 5/2.
If there’s any man to stop Aspinall’s remarkable winning streak, it is clearly Blaydes with his fight-ending power and top-class experience, although Aspinall is unlikely to admit it.
Check out all the latest betting offers at William Hill
Aspinall unstoppable?
The Englishmen took part in the other UFC event in London earlier this year, pulling off a slick armbar submission on Alexander Volkov in the first round. Aspinall also has a remarkable record at 12 wins and just two losses, and has won his last eight fights, with not one defeat since 2016.
Aspinall heads into the fight the slight favourite at 4/6, and given both men’s determination and power, it is fair to say that this fight looks unlikely to go the distance, with the odds on it lasting under 3.5 rounds at 8/15. Aspinall is 5-0 since joining the UFC and has won four Performance of the Night bonuses out of those five fights, which goes to show his athleticism and fan favourite fighting style.
Aspinall is a versatile fighter who can equally hunt for a submission or deliver a devastating knockout. Most of his wins have come by knockout, but those recent submissions he has added to his resume show that he is a rounded fighter, perfectly suited to the octagon. If you fancy Aspinall to win by stoppage the odds are 23/20.
This is a show-stopping main event between two active contenders in the heavyweight division, and the winner will most likely have their eyes on a title shot in the not-too-distant future.
