Fighter Profiles
Tom Aspinall
- Record: 14 wins, 3 losses
- Age: 31
- Height: 6'5" (1.96 m)
- Reach: 78 in (198 cm)
- Style: Well-rounded; strong striking and submission game
- Key Wins: Sergei Pavlovich, Marcin Tybura, Alexander Volkov
- Strengths: Explosive striking, fast finishes, strong submission skills, high fight IQ
- Recent Performance: Aspinall has shown dominance with his quick finishes, winning his last fight against Sergei Pavlovich via KO in just over a minute, earning his 6th Performance of the Night bonus.
Curtis Blaydes
- Record: 18 wins, 4 losses, 1 no contest
- Age: 33
- Height: 6'4" (1.93 m)
- Reach: 80 in (203 cm)
- Style: Wrestler with powerful ground-and-pound
- Key Wins: Chris Daukaus, Jairzinho Rozenstruik, Alistair Overeem
- Strengths: Elite wrestling, strong ground control, knockout power in ground-and-pound
- Recent Performance: Blaydes rebounded from a loss to Sergei Pavlovich with a KO victory over Jailton Almeida, showcasing his ability to dominate on the ground.
Fight Breakdown
Striking:
- Aspinall: Known for his fast, powerful striking and ability to end fights quickly. He uses his reach and height advantage effectively, often overwhelming opponents early.
- Blaydes: While primarily a wrestler, Blaydes has developed competent striking, particularly when setting up his takedowns.
Wrestling and Grappling:
- Aspinall: Possesses solid takedown defense and has a dangerous submission game. He has shown the ability to transition smoothly from striking to grappling.
- Blaydes: One of the best wrestlers in the heavyweight division, with an unmatched ability to take opponents down and control them on the ground. His ground-and-pound is particularly lethal.
Fight IQ and Cardio:
- Aspinall: Demonstrates a high fight IQ, adapting his strategy to his opponent’s weaknesses. His cardio has held up in the few instances his fights have gone beyond the first round.
- Blaydes: Excellent fight IQ, using his wrestling to control the pace of the fight. His cardio is strong, allowing him to maintain pressure throughout the bout.
Prediction
Path to Victory for Aspinall:
- Striking: Utilize his superior striking to keep Blaydes at a distance. Aim for a quick finish with his explosive power.
- Grappling: Avoid being taken down, and if taken down, look for submission opportunities or quick escapes.
Path to Victory for Blaydes:
- Wrestling: Implement his wrestling to control the fight, taking Aspinall down and using his ground-and-pound to secure a finish or win rounds.
- Striking: Use striking to set up takedowns, keeping Aspinall guessing and preventing him from settling into a striking rhythm.
Given their previous encounter where Blaydes won due to Aspinall’s knee injury, the psychological edge might lean towards Blaydes. However, Aspinall’s recent performances suggest he’s capable of handling elite wrestlers and finishing fights quickly.
Prediction: This fight is a classic striker versus wrestler matchup. If Blaydes can impose his wrestling early and avoid Aspinall's power, he stands a strong chance of winning. However, Aspinall's striking and improved grappling could lead to a quick finish. Given Aspinall’s momentum and recent performances, a slight edge goes to him for a finish in the early rounds.
Winner: Tom Aspinall by TKO in the 2nd round.
