Tom Aspinall Returns With An Impressive First-Round Stoppage

Tom Aspinall made a remarkable return from his knee injury as he knocked out Marcin Tybura in the first round. 

Aspinall began the bout with a kick towards the head, showing that there were no long-lasting issues with his knee.

Tybura attempted to keep Aspinall occupied with some counters, as he landed a smart left.

While that may have been the case, Aspinall hit back with a kick as Tybura fell short with a combination.

Thereafter, Aspinall landed with an elbow as a further right hand sent Tybura to the canvas.

And the bout was soon over as he unloaded with some punches and the referee responded by calling off the bout.

Tom Aspinall is BACK! He made quick work of Marcin Tybura in the #UFCLondon main event, securing a first-round KO. 💥🥊

Heavyweight division, WATCH OUT. 🚀👀 #MMA #UFC pic.twitter.com/O8FUIU70U9

— MMA DIRT (@MMADIRTcom) July 22, 2023

The official end time of the fight was just 73 seconds in a performance that made a major statement. 

In the aftermath, Aspinall made it clear that he was keen on targeting a fight with Jon Jones. The latter is set to face Stipe Miocic on November 12th, 2023.

And provided that Jones comes out victorious as he is expected to do, then Aspinall is keen on facing him. 

“I’m going to Paris and sit in the front row for Ciryl Gane vs Serghei Spivac, I’m going to beat the winner and then I’m going to beat Jon Jones.”

Aspinall’s Post-Fight Comments

“Jon Jones knows I exist, that’s a win in itself. I’m buzzing with that. I’ve been saying this all week, what I want to do is obviously win my fights going forward but I also want to motivate Jon Jones to stick around and fight me.

“That is my absolute dream mate, the thought of that.  “I think I match up well against him. It’s a dream fight of mine.

“I’m young, fresh, big, fast, strong . I can do everything well and I’m heavy, which is unlike a lot of his opponents who he’s fought in the past.

“I just think I bring something different to him, I think he knows that as well and he should know that moving forward,” Aspinall

In response, Jones did not rule out the idea with the following reply: “Sounds good lol.”

But that was not the only person of interest when it came to Aspinall. Ciryl Gane admitted his interest in a fight, which would put the latter back in contention for a title.

Gane infamously lost to Jones via a first-round submission as the latter became champion after three years out of the octagon. And for Gane, this could be an opportunity for redemption. 

“Great performance Tom, careful what you wish for. See you in Paris,” Gane

Co-Main Event

In chief support, Julija Stoliarenko overcame Molly McCann in a first-round submission.

Stoliarenko started the bout on the front foot, but was quickly made to pay, as McCann responded with a right hand over the top.

That was followed by a body shot as Stoliarenko was punished. Thereafter, both fighters exchanged in the center of the ring as  Stoliarenko responded with a hook.

In a round that was fairly even, Stoliarenko avoided a takedown attempt by moving away from a right hand. In response, Stoliarenko spun away for an arm bar as McCann tapped out. 

JULIJA STOLIARENKO SUBMITS MOLLY MCCANN IN THE FIRST ROUND 😳 #UFCLondon pic.twitter.com/28g3i98PUW

— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) July 22, 2023

The news was a shock given that Stoliarenko had only won one fight out of her last six. Defeat for McCann marked her second loss in succession. 

“I expected that, if you look at my record you can expect a finish in the first round. I love the audience here, I love London so much. It’s my f****ng home, it’s so close to Lithuania.

“There are my people here for the first time in my career. I really want to say thanks to Molly for that fight, she is a f****ng warrior. Stylistically it was an uncomfortable fight for her but she took it,” Stoliarenko

Full Results

Tom Aspinall def. Marcin Tybura via a first-round TKO 

Julija Stoliarenko def. Molly McCann via a first-round submission 

Nathaniel Wood def. Andre Fili via a unanimous decision: 29-28, 29-28, 29-28

Paul Craig def. Andre Muniz via a second-round TKO 

Fares Ziam def. Jai Herbert via a unanimous decision: 29-28, 29-28, 30-27

Lerone Murphy def. Joshua Culibao via a unanimous decision: 30-26, 30-26, 30-27

Daniel Marcos def. Davey Grant via a split decision: 28-29, 29-28, 29-28

Jonny Parsons def. Danny Roberts via a second-round TKO 

Joel Alvarez def. Marc Diakiese via a second-round submission 

Mick Parkin def. Jamal Pogues via a unanimous decision: 30-27, 30-27, 30-27

Makhmud Muradov def. Bryan Barberena via a unanimous decision: 30-27, 30-27, 30-27

Ketlen Vieira def. Pannie Kianzad via a unanimous decision: 29-28, 29-28, 29-28

Chris Duncan def. Yanal Ashmouz via a unanimous decision: 30-27, 30-27, 29-28

Bruna Brasil def. Shauna Bannon via a unanimous decision: 29-28, 29-28, 30-27

Jafel Filho def. Daniel Barez via a first-round submission

Aspinall’s performance showed that he has returned to the levels that made him such a talked-about UFC star. Therefore, the future is bright.