Tom Aspinall has ‘next heavyweight champion’ aim at UFC London 2023 after injury hell

Tom Aspinall is hoping to put the heavyweight division on notice as he prepares to step back into the octagon at UFC London on Saturday.

The Atherton fighter was making short work of his opponents during his five-fight win streak in the UFC, with only former champion Andrei Arlovski taking him past the first round. This crescendoed with a statement victory over Alexander Volkov in London, last March. He was rewarded with another headline spot against Curtis Blaydes, four months later, where a win would have put in serious conversations for a title fight.

However, 15 seconds into the fight, Aspinall’s right knee went from under him. More than just a defeat, it meant 12 months on the sidelines for one of the sport’s most exciting prospects. Aspinall, 30, is now preparing to return to the same arena this weekend in a bid to make up for lost time against Marcin Tybura.

He will certainly be in prime condition on fight night. Having felt instability in his knee years prior to the injury, Aspinall delayed surgery as his career accelerated. After suffering MCL and ACL damage, he describes the ability to train on two legs as a “luxury”. Two weeks before fight night, a video shared to his YouTube channel showed Aspinall going through “one of the top three hardest workouts” he’s ever experienced.

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Using Wigan Warriors' facilities, Aspinall explained the gruelling nature of his training camp: “Got a guy on the pads, got a guy kicking me, got a 160kg guy wrestling me and it’s just non-stop, mate. Absolutely f****** non-stop for five (five minute rounds).”

With the help of Dad and coach, Andy Aspinall , he has been able to form a formidable “heavyweight