UFC Predictions for UFC Fight Night: Alexander Volkov vs. Tom Aspinall
This weekend sees the UFC return to the UK for the first time since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic for what looks to be a fun Fight Night card.
UFC Fight Night: Alexander Volkov vs. Tom Aspinall not only features a number of the best fighters produced by the UK, it should also see plenty of great action.
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With a number of fighters looking to climb the ladder in their respective weight classes, we could see some huge moves this weekend, as well as some sick finishes, hopefully.
Here are the predicted outcomes for UFC Fight Night: Alexander Volkov vs. Tom Aspinall.
#1. UFC heavyweight division: Alexander Volkov vs. Tom Aspinall
This fascinating heavyweight bout is a classic piece of booking from the UFC, pitting one of the division’s hottest prospects against arguably the best gatekeeper out there. If Tom Aspinall can get past Alexander Volkov, then he could be fighting for a title shot next time out. So can he do it?
Thus far into his career with the UFC, Aspinall has looked genuinely excellent. The Liverpool-based big man was initially branded a British version of Frank Mir when he arrived in the octagon for the first time in the summer of 2020. Since then, his striking, rather than his grappling, has been his go-to game.
He knocked out Jake Collier and Alan Baudot in his first two bouts. While he took out Andrei Arlovski with a rear-naked choke, that submission was set up with a knockdown. Most recently, he destroyed Sergey Spivak with a brutal finish, sealing his third performance of the night bonus award.
Tom Aspinall finishes Sergey Spivak in the first round! 💥
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Essentially, Aspinall is a heavy-handed, skilled boxer who also has a slick ground game to fall back on, something that hasn't been seen on the big stage as yet.
The big question here is how he’ll deal with the length and reach of Volkov, who stands about 2” taller than the Brit and holds a sizeable reach advantage.
‘Drago’ has been in the UFC now for over five years. While he’s never quite reached a title shot – falling at the last hurdle to Derrick Lewis, Curtis Blaydes and Ciryl Gane – he’s beaten every other opponent he’s faced and has only been finished once.
The big knock on Volkov is usually his perceived dull style, as he does have a tendency to simply sit behind his jab and pick his foes apart. On the flip side, his knockouts of UFC vets Fabricio Werdum and Alistair Overeem were both mightily impressive.
However, he may have problems here. Aspinall isn’t quite at as much of a reach disadvantage as most of Volkov’s opponents. While he’s not as educated a striker as 'The Reem', for example, he’s probably got quicker hands than anyone the Russian has faced in recent years.
Add in the fact that Volkov has a porous takedown defense, as well as the fact that Aspinall will be a huge crowd favorite with his fellow UK natives, and this should be a fight that goes in favor of the prospect.
The Pick: Aspinall via third-round TKO