Tom Aspinall’s 60-second KO rocks UFC as Belal Muhammad makes history

UFC heavyweight Tom Aspinall has put in a claim to be seen as the “baddest man on the planet” after rocking the sport with a monster KO.

Tom Aspinall is a bad man. Photo: Fox Sports

UFC heavyweight Tom Aspinall has shown he only has eyes for Jon Jones after destroying Curtis Blaydes in just 60 seconds in the co-main event of UFC 304.

It was a huge day for the UFC with Belal Muhammad becoming the promotion’s welterweight champion in the main event, defeating Leon Edwards to become the first Palestinian to champion in the UFC.

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But it was the way Aspinall retained his interim heavyweight title that really caught the attention.

Blaydes, who had been given the win last time he fought Aspinall in July 2022 after the Brit suffered a knee injury just 15 seconds into the fight, was no match for the 31-year-old from Salford.

A left hand jab stunned from Aspinall before an overhand right pushed Blaydes off balance, knocking the American onto his back before unleashing the ground-and-pound to make short work of the American.

That was a jab from hell from Aspinall. Photo: Fox Sports

Blaydes wasn't even defending. Photo: Fox Sports

While there were questions about whether it was too early a call, Aspinall was all over Blaydes.

“Unbelievable,” Michael Bisping said in commentary.

“The power is different. The fighting instincts are different.”

It was Aspinall’s first defence of the interim title as the Brit waits for a shot at UFC heavyweight king Jon Jones.

Jones won the heavyweight title on debut in March 2023 but hasn’t fought since, after he pulled out of a fight with Stipe Miocic in November last year due to injury. The pair are expected to fight at some point this year.

While Jones hasn’t shown much interest in fighting Aspinall, the Brit only has his eyes on the heavyweight crown.

“I’m the best finisher in the UFC, if I start to snowball you, you’re done,” Aspinall said.

“I just spoke to the boss man – who wants to see Tom Aspinall vs Jon Jones? I have nothing against you personally, but I just think I’m better than you

“I’m coming for it.”

Aspinall has defended his interim belt. Photo by Ben Roberts Photo/Getty Images

It was a fight UFC fighters want to see.

Derek Brunson tweeted: “Jon Jones v Tom Aspinall is a must, scrap the Stipe fight! I speak for everyone.”

Ex-UFC fighter Ben Askren wrote: “Aspinall is a beast! We wanna know who the best HWT in the world is.”

Former Aussie UFC title challenger Megan Anderson commented: “Tom Aspinall ladies and gentleman … and in under a minute. It’s actually insane at this point! Give him that unification fight already!”

She also added: “No more of this Interim title nonsense … no more of this Jones vs Miocic. We want Jones vs Aspinall!!!”

As for Blaydes, who is the only blemish on Aspinall’s record?

“I had nothing against him personally, but we needed to put that one to bed,” he said. “It was a freak accident. Now, I’ve got my revenge. Thank God.”

Muhammad smothered Edwards. Photo by Ben Roberts Photo/Getty Images

It came before Muhammad claimed the welterweight crown in a unanimous decision (48-47 x2, 49-46) win in the main event.

Coming together for the first time since a March 2021 no contest, Muhammad became the UFC’s first-ever Palestinian champion.

Although it wasn’t the most exciting fight, Muhammad snared the victory, taking Edwards to the canvas nine times in 13 attempts, suffocating the Brit out of the contest.

“It sounds like all the people booing right now got a lot of tears coming out of their eyes,” Muhammad said.

“I see you guys with watery eyes right now. This is for my family, for my people in Palestine.

“To all my family at home, Alhamdulillah — God first always.

“Secondly, this fight is nothing. This fight is for my family, my people in Palestine, they’re fighting the real fight. Inshallah, I put a smile on their face. ”

The card also saw rising Irish star Paddy Pimblett claim the biggest statement of his career by submitting King Green in the first round to take his winning streak to eight fights and likely into the rankings.

Pimblett choked Green unconscious with a triangle choke in a stunning result.

“Statement made b****es,” Pimblett said after the fight.

“ … I’ve got a ranking next to me name now, haven’t I? So suck this.”

Originally published as Tom Aspinall’s 60-second KO rocks UFC as Belal Muhammad makes history