"A British fighter getting overhyped again" - Fans react after Tom Aspinall vs. Curtis Blaydes ends in just 15 seconds to close out UFC London
The main event of UFC London saw an unfortunate and anticlimactic ending after Tom Aspinall suffered an apparent knee injury, leading to a default victory for Curtis Blaydes.
The bout was supposed to be a litmus test for the young heavyweight, who was riding an eight-fight winning streak. Blaydes was the highest-ranked fighter Aspinall has faced so far. Unfortunately, it didn't matter in the end as the two competitors didn't have a chance to get the action started.
@ufc)Tom Aspinall suffers a serious knee injury in round one ๐
Wishing for a speedy recovery ๐
(๐ฅ @ufc)
https://t.co/aIoDsc0zxg
Needless to say, fans were disappointed for both fighters. Following the deflating main event bout, UFC fans on Twitter chimed in with their thoughts on Aspinall vs. Blaydes.
The overwhelming sentiment from fans was concern for Aspinall. The young Brit suffered some sort of injury to his right leg, but without any tests, one can only speculate as to what could have been the problem.
Several Twitter users wished Aspinall a speedy recovery and expressed their eagerness to see him recover from the setback.
๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ
You back stronger @AspinallMMA, Champ ! ๐ฅ๐ต๐ฑ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ
#UFCLondon #Aspinall https://t.co/gxVkSDaIxz
๐ฝ@danawhite @ESPNPlus Its Ok Just A Minor Set Back Keep A Go! @AspinallMMA Come Back Stronger! ๐๐ฝ
Real shame for Tom aspinall, hope for speedy recovery, think it would have been a great fight too.
@AspinallMMA @adamniker Get well soon Tommy๐
There are also those who pointed out that Aspinall's injury could be a career-altering one. One Twitter user was even convinced it's now over for the Manchester native. Meanwhile, another group of fans said they were eager to see the fight get rebooked.
@btsportufc @Trraavv Again a British fighter getting overhyped once again
@Joshmufc113 @btsportufc @Trraavv The man is a front runner, just bad luck. Fucking hell, the cynicism is at an all time high
Poor Tom Aspinall, if ya knee goes like that playin football ya lookin at 4 months before you can even kick a ball, never mind a leg. Mentally tough for him now that. Proper shame
Best of luck to Aspinall on a speedy recovery. Terrible stuff. #UFC #UFCLondon #TomAspinall #CurtisBlaydes
Hate to see it for #TomAspinall looked a painful one! MCL or ACL it looks to be, Result should be overturned and rematch in the works #UFCLondon
Really unfortunate for Tom Aspinall. Hope itโs not too bad mate #UFCLondon
I was hyped to see Tom Aspinall do the business. Hope to see the rematch
Curtis Blaydes apologizes to fans for win over Tom Aspinall at UFC London
Official records state that Curtis Blaydes now has a TKO win over Tom Aspinall. However, it's safe to assume that 'Razor' is unsatisfied with the manner in which he achieved this result.
The American was almost speechless during his post-fight interview with Michael Bisping. Nonetheless, Blaydes remained classy as he apologized to his opponent and the fans for the disappointing result of the main event.
Addressing the UK fans, Blaydes said:
"We didn't even fight. I wanted to come here and prove a statement. Aspinall is legit. I know a win over him would've shown the world I'm ready for a title shot [and] I'm legit. I wish the injury hadn't happened. I don't even know what to say. I'm sorry, man."
Check out Curtis Blaydes' interview in the clip below: