After Tom Aspinall blew through Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304, itโs all eyes forward to the undisputed belt. The Brit called out Jon Jones yet again. Despite his long absence, โBonesโ is no easy matter. Discussing the win with Kamaru Usman, former double champion Henry Cejudo saw some clear options where the Brit could falter.
The commentary from Cejudo had the Alex Pereira treatment written all over, with a linear skillset or lack of it. Unlike the Brazilian, though, Tom Aspinall can outbox, counter, grapple, and is quick on feet. He tore through Curtis Blaydes at Co-Op Live via knockout (punches) โ R1 in exactly sixty seconds. โTriple Cโ thinks this will be a clear problem when facing Jon Jones.
Last four fights bro! 3 minutes and 37 seconds, Jesus Christ…But, that can also be his worst enemy too because…you know a guy like Jones, a guy like Jones is smart bro. A guy like Jones, we cannot doubt the dude. The dude could wrestle and the dude will probably make this dude fight that beast side…his [Aspinall] IQ on his feet is good, but we also have to see him in those other areas.
Henry Cejudo via the โPound 4 Pound with Kamaru Usman & Henry Cejudoโ Podcast
Perย statleaders.ufc.com (UFC Record Book), he has the shortest average fight time, shortest bottom position and percentage, and 2nd highest knockdown average per minute. Aspinall, 31, also boasts the best striking differentials and third-best strikes landed per minute. However, Henry Cejudo wonders if the lack of extensive matches would mean he lacks experience against the likes of Jones.
Cejudo did give credit where credit is due. The Team Kaobon MMA striker is fast and is a counterpuncher. Tom Aspinall is also prone to wrestling, not that people last long enough to test it out. In the case of โRazorโ, though, there were talks about an early stoppage. Kamaru Usman, who similarly lauds his skills, quashed such notions.
Kamaru Usman sees no issue in Tom Aspinallโs โearlyโ win over Curtis Blaydes
Tom Aspinallโs 15 career wins all came by stoppage. His average fight time of 2:02 in UFC competition is unlike any other. He is equally intimidating in all areas. With another shock stoppage under his belt, when people look to Aspinall, they see someone who might truly beat Jon Jones. However, his issues with his old opponent arenโt over yet.
During UFC 304โs penultimate fight, Aspinall was anything but tired despite it going into the night. He sniped Curtis Blayde exactly one minute into the opening round. Blaydes failed to capitalize on his stance and be intimidating. Aspinall caught him in a lean-in with a straight left. Already on his way down, the Englishman unleashed another right and barrage of ground and pound.
Marc Goddard has seen enough to sound off a stoppage. A lot of people initially billed it as an early stoppage. Merab Dvalishvili, once again, went off the matter. Kamaru Usman, though, sees no issue.
Everyone is speculating, โOh, was it an early stoppage.โ At first, I would think so but this is the thing with big boys though. Yes, the jab didnโt completely [drop him]โฆlike it was just kind of momentum…Curtis tried to get back up but those are big boys…I donโt think it was an early stoppage…Curtis was kind of caught off guard and was unable to recover quickly enough.
Kamaru Usman via the โPound 4 Pound with Kamaru Usman & Henry Cejudoโ Podcast
Like Henry Cejudo, he also praised the counterboxer for his agility. After being hit, the Brit still took some time to work out his opponentโs range. But when he tagged him in the momentum, โRazorโ could not recover. That is enough bad graphics to cue that it might lead to injury. Aspinall really seems to be in his Pereira phase of things. However, Usman just sees the best heavyweight in him right now.