Tom Aspinall vs. Curtis Blaydes: Preview, Where to Watch and Betting Odds

Interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall will defend his title against Curtis Blaydes at UFC London in a rematch between the two men. English fighter Tom Aspinall lost to American Curtis Blaydes in July 2022 for the only loss in his UFC career. The fight, billed as the “No. 1 contender bout,” would position the winner for a joust against Heavyweight champion Jon Jones. Tom Aspinall is making his first interim title defense and is a huge favorite to win.

MMA: UFC Interim Heavyweight Championship

Where to Watch: PPV (ESPN+, TNT)

Venue: Co-op Live, Manchester, England

Date: 28.07.2024 04:30

The English fighter has had a phenomenal career in the UFC since a 2020 debut, winning six Performance of the Night awards in eight bouts. 7-1 in the promotion, Aspinall lost by technical knockout to Curtis Blaydes in London two years ago after being rendered unable to continue due to a knee injury. Out for one year to injury, the BJJ black belt returned in 2023 to TKO Marcin Tybura and KO Sergei Pavlovich to claim the interim title. A deadly striker, Aspinall has the third most knockdowns per 15 minutes in UFC history and the largest striking differential in UFC history.

• Age: 31
• Height: 6’5”
• Weight: 265lbs
• Reach: 78”
• Record: 14-3

A former NJCAA National wrestling champion, American Curtis Blaydes debuted in the UFC in 2016 against Francis Ngannou. Although Blaydes has landed the most takedowns in UFC's heavyweight division history, including having the record for the most top position, “Razor” has never secured a submission win in the promotion. 4-1 in his last four, a record of three knockouts and one decision is indicative of his winning formula. Curtis Blaydes knocked out Jailton Almeida last March to return to the win column after a loss to Sergei Pavlovich last year.

• Age: 33
• Height: 6’4’’
• Reach: 80”
• Weight: 265lbs
• Record: 18-4-1 (NC)

Curtis Blaydes is a 3.00 underdog on Betway. On Bet365, Blaydes is a 3.25 underdog. Tom Aspinall to win by first-round KO/TKO is 4 odds on 1xBet, which also lists total under 4.5 at 2.55 odds. Read more.