His time in the Famous Yellow Gloves of Cage Warriors may have been short-lived, but the impression Tom Aspinall left on fans of Europe’s Leading MMA Organisation was indelible. From a wrecking machine too powerful for the regional scene, to a UFC world champion, Aspinall’s rise ranks as one of the most impressive ever seen for a British mixed martial artist.
While the world’s heavyweight championship may currently rest around his waist – and few would dispute that that’s exactly where it belongs – the technical nature of his promotion from ‘interim’ to full ‘King of the Mountain’ status makes Saturday’s bout against Cyril Gane all the more important.
The situation echoes Aspinall’s Cage Warriors debut; his first appearance on a high-level, international promotion. The Englishman had taken a legitimate step up in competition against a seasoned veteran of the scene, but for reasons entirely beyond his control, he was robbed of the plaudits for what should have been a landmark victory.
Checking a leg kick from French striker Sofiane Boukichou, Aspinall shattered his man’s lower leg less than 90 second’s into their heavyweight main event.
The Salford man’s second appearance in the Famous Yellow Gloves was over even faster, but didn’t leave fans feeling anywhere near as short changed.
In 6’4, 256lbs slugger Mickael Ben Hamouda, Cage Warriors had finally found an opponent capable of matching up with Aspinall physically. Unfortunately for the Frenchman, stature was just about the only place he measured up.
The Brit’s speed and power saw him plough through his man in short order; in many ways it was the blueprint for the vast majority of the heavyweight sensation’s UFC contests, where he has left the first round on only a single occasion, and his last three contests average a shade over one minute.
Will the sixty second assassin run continue this Saturday? There’s only one way to find out.
Tom Aspinall headlines UFC 321 on Saturday, October 25th, live in the UK on TNT Sports Box Office.