Tom Aspinall was always destined to fight in UFC’s return to Manchester at UFC 304.
Even if it meant putting his interim heavyweight belt on the line against Curtis Blaydes, his "worst matchup," while the division waits for Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic to clash.
For Aspinall, the most important thing is fighting in an Octagon just 20 minutes from his home, 200 miles north of London.
“Anybody who thinks that I'm going to go to a UFC event in Manchester and just watch is absolutely insane,” Aspinall told UFC.com. “If the UFC come back in 20 years and I'm like 50 odd years old, I'll probably still try and have a go.”
The Atherton resident’s commitment is understandable. At 23, he watched Michael Bisping defend his middleweight title at UFC 204 with a 5-2 MMA record. Since then, Aspinall has added nine more wins and the interim heavyweight title to his resume. Despite his success, he doesn’t feel much has changed in his daily life. His 6-foot-5 frame makes him stand out regardless, and he remains low-key, usually going to the gym and spending time with his kids.
Fighting at home, however, is different. Aspinall compared fighting in London’s O2 Arena to a “salad starter” compared to the “steak” of defending his UFC belt at Co-op Live. While he admits the location adds pressure, his three headlining bouts in London have prepared him for the atmosphere expected on July 27.
“That's what it's all about for me. I wanted to fight in Manchester, of course. Obviously, being a champion and defending it in Manchester is massive. That's an experience that no one will ever take away from me. I'm really looking forward to it.”
The fight also holds unfinished business with Blaydes. Their first encounter in July 2022 ended abruptly after 15 seconds due to Aspinall’s knee injury. Now, Aspinall aims to rectify that and face Blaydes’ strength, speed, and high-level wrestling.
“If it goes as planned, the fight will be as short as possible with me taking absolutely no damage,” Aspinall said. “If I can get in and out of there in 15 seconds with me getting my hand raised, I'll do that every time.”
This isn’t just talk. Five of Aspinall’s eight UFC bouts have lasted less than 90 seconds. Despite his knee injury against Blaydes, he has mostly avoided significant damage.
He anticipates a tougher challenge against Blaydes, one of the division’s most proven fighters. Aspinall, his father Andy, and his Evolution Fitness XL teammates have prepared rigorously, but execution on fight night is key.
After July 27, Aspinall isn’t sure what’s next. Defending the interim title feels like uncharted territory, and whether he fights Jon Jones or someone else depends on future developments.
Carrying the weight of a city and becoming the face of a nation’s MMA scene is no easy task. Aspinall shares this responsibility with fellow Mancunian Bisping, welterweight champion Leon Edwards, and Paddy Pimblett. While Aspinall’s fight is third-to-last before the welterweight title bout, it’s expected to be the loudest reception of the night.
This is Aspinall’s dream, and he intends to savor every moment as he strides to the Octagon. An athlete of his caliber expects high-pressure situations, but doing it in Manchester is a dream come true.
Don’t miss UFC 304: Edwards vs Muhammad 2, live from Co-op Live in Manchester, England. Prelims start at 8pm ET/5pm PT, with the main card kicking off on PPV at 10pm ET/7pm PT.