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The UFC's packed July schedule returns to the United Kingdom at The O2 Arena with the UFC London 2022 fight card. Scheduled for this Saturday, July 23, the heavyweight bout between two KO artists - Curtis Blaydes and Tom Spinall - The MAIN EVENT !
These elite heavyweight contenders will serve as the main event. Curtis Blaydes (16-3 MMA, 11-3 UFC) enters enemy territory against England's own Tom Spinall (12-2 MMA, 5-0 UFC) for a five-round bout for title contention.
Blaydes vs. Aspinall are highly ranked in the UFC heavyweight division, meaning the winner could get a shot at the title in the near future.
Blaydes vs. Aspinall
The 31-year-old Blaydes has been one of the most successful fighters in the division since arriving on the big stage in the spring of 2016, posting a 12-3 record with no contested decisions. His first two bouts came against reigning champion Francis Ngannou, the first coming in his promotional debut, and since their second bout, the Elevation Fight Team member knocked out a heavy hitter and perennial contender Derrick Lewis in the second round. 6-1 lead with the loss. Lewis stands as the only scar.
Tom Aspinall (12-2) has scored eight straight victories. The No. 6 contender was also in action in March when he defeated Alexander Volkov in Round 1. In 2021 he stopped Sergey Spivak in the 1st round and submitted Andrei Arlovski in the 2nd round.
Curtis Blaydes vs. Tom Aspinall UFC Fight Night 208 Odds
All odds are per FanDuel as of July 18.
Curtis Blaydes -136
Tom Aspinall +108
Curtis Blaydes vs Tom Spinal Prediction
Tom Spinal is the betting favorite for a reason. He is a fighter of great potential who has already shown what he is made of. Although he has won most of his fights by knockout, the British rising star is an all-around fighter who knows how to force his opponents into submission.
That said, a submission win in this fight seems very plausible. The thing is, Blades is not an easy fighter to knock out, meaning that the easiest way for Spinal to beat him is to take him to the floor.
Pick: Tom Aspinall by Submission
UFC London 2022 card
The current UFC London: Blaydes vs Aspinall fight card looks as the following:
Main card
Curtis Blaydes vs Tom Aspinall (heavyweight)
Jack Hermansson vs Chris Curtis (middleweight)
Paddy Pimblett vs Jordan Leavitt (lightweight)
Nikita Krylov vs Alexander Gustafsson (light heavyweight)
Molly McCann vs Hannah Goldy (women’s flyweight)
Paul Craig vs Volkan Oezdemir (light heavyweight)
Prelims Card
Marc Diakiese vs Damir Hadzovic (lightweight)
Nathaniel Wood vs Charles Rosa (bantamweight)
Makwan Amirkhani vs Jonathan Pearce (featherweight)
Muhammad Mokaev vs Charles Johnson (flyweight)
Jai Herbert vs Kyle Nelson (lightweight)
Mandy Bohm vs Victoria Leonardo (women’s flyweight)
