The UFC is set to return to the UK for the first time since 2019 with a stacked card with the main event featuring a Heavyweight bout between British star Tom Aspinall and former Bellator Heavyweight Champion Alexander Volkov.
The much-awaited Heavyweight bout between Alexander Volkov and Tom Aspinall will take place on the 19th of March in England’s capital city at the O2 Arena. Alexander Volkov initially, was subjected to be pulled out of the fight due to the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine but a piece of news broke earlier this week that the Russian has been cleared to fight.
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Alexander “Drago” Volkov who currently sits #6 in the UFC Heavyweight Division has had a total of 34 career wins while facing nine defeats. The 33-year-old enters this contest on the back of a three-round unanimous decision victory over Marcin Tybura. His last defeat in the UFC came back in June 2021 when he lost to Cyril Gane on unanimous decision and before that, he picked up an incredible KO victory against Alistair Overeem.
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As for his opponent, Tom Aspinall, he is currently 11-2 in MMA and is on a four-fight win streak. Sitting #11 in the Heavyweight Division, Aspinall has picked up some impressive TKO and submission wins in his short time in the UFC. In his last three fights, the British sensation managed to knock Serghei Spivac and Alan Baudot out and also managed to submit Andrei Arlovski.
Prediction: Tom Aspinall via Knockout
Alexander Volkov (#6 in Heavyweight Division) | Tom Aspinall (#11 in Heavyweight Division) | |
33 | Age | 28 |
6’7" | Height | 6’3" |
240 lbs | Weight | 205 lbs |
81" | Reach | 78" |
Orthodox | Stance | Orthodox |
34 - 9 - 0 | Record | 11 - 2 - 0 |
Between the two fighters, Aspinall has been the more aggressive fighter in his brief UFC career so far, landing over seven significant strikes per minute and securing a takedown once in every six minutes. On the other hand, Volkov has connected less than five significant strikes per minute and landed a takedown once every 28 minutes.
Over the years, we have seen the Russian landing nasty strikes when he’s given space and distance. Volkov’s kicking ability is easy to spot with numbers with 87% of his strikes having been landed from distance compared to Aspinall’s 56%.
With almost no blows landed on the Russian from close quarters, the outcome of this UFC London main event could depend on whether Aspinall can get in close and finish off the fight.
[Featured Image Credit: MMA Puncher]
Shashank Iyer