Tom Aspinall finally banishes ghosts of the past with UFC London triumph
Tom Aspinall banished a ghost at the O2 Arena on Saturday, securing a statement victory at UFC London to make a triumphant return, one year after suffering a severe injury in the same building. In July 2022, Aspinall tore his MCL and stretched his ACL just 15 seconds into his main event with Curtis Blaydes, and almost exactly 365 days later, the Wigan heavyweight stopped Marcin Tybura in the first round to get back to winning ways. Aspinall, 30, hurt Tybura early with a head kick but resisted getting carried away, instead biding his time – briefly, at least – before dropping the Pole, 37, with a straight right hand. Aspinall then pounced with hammer fists, forcing the stoppage with 1:13 on the clock, before climbing atop the cage to celebrate. “I wasn’t myself last year, this is a whole new version of me,” Aspinall said in his post-fight interview. “I’m not gonna say that I’m back, because I’m different. My mind’s different, my body’s different. I’m going all the way [to the belt]. “I’ll tell you exactly what I’m gonna do: I’m gonna go to Paris [in September], I’m gonna be sat front row for Ciryl Gane against Sergey Spivak. I’m gonna beat the winner, and then I’m gonna beat [champion] Jon Jones.” The result put the crowd back in jubilant spirits, after “Meatball” Molly McCann suffered a submission loss in the co-main event. The Liverpudlian fan favourite tapped to an armbar in her flyweight contest with Julija Stoliarenko, on what was a night of mixed fortunes for British fighters. Full UFC London results (* denotes British fighter) Main card *Tom Aspinall def. Marcin Tybura via first-round TKO (punches, 1:13) Julija Stoliarenko def. *Molly McCann via first-round submission (armbar, 1:55) *Nathaniel Wood def. Andre Fili via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) *Paul Craig def. Andre Muniz via second-round TKO (punches and elbows, 4:40) Fares Ziam def. *Jai Herbert via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27) *Lerone Murphy def. Josh Culibao via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-27) Daniel Marcos def. *Davey Grant via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28) Prelims Jonny Parsons def. *Danny Roberts via second-round TKO (punches, 4:57) Joel Alvarez def. *Marc Diakiese via second-round submission (head-arm choke, 4:26) *Mick Parkin def. Jamal Pogues via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) Makhmud Muradov def. Bryan Barberena via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) Ketlen Vieira def. Pannie Kianzad via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) *Chris Duncan def. Yanal Ashmouz via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) Bruna Brasil def. Shauna Bannon via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27) Jafel Filho def. Daniel Barez via first-round submission (arm-triangle choke, 1:34) Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos. Read More Tyson Fury seeks UFC star Tom Aspinall’s help ahead of Francis Ngannou fight Makhachev vs Oliveira official for UFC 294 as Khamzat Chimaev returns on undercard ‘The Rock’s shoes can go f*** themselves’: UFC fighter hits out at company’s sponsors Tyson Fury seeks UFC star’s help ahead of Francis Ngannou fight Two major fights announced for UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi ‘The Rock’s shoes can go f*** themselves’: UFC fighter hits out at sponsors
2023-07-23 18:51
PSG captain Marquinhos hopes for solution to Mbappe dispute
Paris Saint-Germain captain Marquinhos said Sunday he hoped the club would solve its dispute with Kylian Mbappe and welcome the France superstar back into the...
2023-07-23 18:21
Marco Silva updates on his and Aleksandar Mitrovic's Fulham futures
Marco Silva gives update on his situation and that of striker Aleksandar Mitrovic.
2023-07-23 18:19
Live updates | Harman takes 5-shot lead into final round of British Open
Brian Harman wants to make the right kind of history in the British Open
2023-07-23 17:48
Netherlands edge out debutants Portugal in Women's World Cup opener
Defender Stefanie van der Gragt scored the only goal as 2019 runners-up the Netherlands beat debutants Portugal 1-0 in their opening game at the...
2023-07-23 17:46
Jordan Henderson and Fabinho close in on Saudi Pro League moves
Jordan Henderson and Fabinho will soon finalise their transfers away from Liverpool and to the Saudi Pro League with medicals completed.
2023-07-23 16:53
Man Utd confirm outcast defender's move to Al Nassr
Alex Telles has left Manchester United to jojn Al Nassr, Cristiano Ronaldo's club in the Saudi Pro League.
2023-07-23 16:46
Marta enters her sixth Women's World Cup seeking scoring record, Brazil's first championship
Brazil starts its ninth appearance in the Women’s World Cup trying to remain undefeated in opening matches
2023-07-23 16:25
Russia's Zvonareva banned from entering Poland for WTA 250 tournament
Russian tennis player Vera Zvonareva has been banned from entering Poland, the country's Ministry of the Interior says
2023-07-23 16:23
Emile Smith Rowe ready to bounce back from injury-plagued season
Emile Smith Rowe is feeling fresh, fit and ready to prove his worth at Arsenal after a “really tough”, injury-interrupted season. The academy graduate came through the ranks in north London and, having established himself as an exciting performer under Mikel Arteta, was rewarded with a new long-term deal two years ago. Smith Rowe made his senior England debut later in 2021 but things went awry last term. The 22-year-old underwent groin surgery to rectify an issue that has been plaguing him since a loan spell at RB Leipzig in 2019, restricting him to 14 club appearances and no starts. This was my first time having surgery, so it was a really hard decision to take but I went for it Emile Smith Rowe “I am feeling good, it’s good to be back with the boys, back on the pitch with my team-mates,” the 22-year-old attacking midfielder said. “My ambition is to get some more minutes this season and really push on. “Last year was really hard for me, so I just want to kick on now and prove that I can play for this club. “It was really tough because I had surgery twice, so it was really hard. “But my family, friends and the club helped me a lot to get through it. I’m just really happy to be pain free right now and get fit. “This was my first time having surgery, so it was a really hard decision to take but I went for it. “I’m happy that I don’t feel anything there anymore. I am really happy to be fully fit now.” Smith Rowe, who came on in Saturday’s 2-0 loss to Manchester United in New Jersey, is also buoyed by his starting role in England’s Under-21 European Championship final win against Spain. It was, he says, an “amazing experience” to triumph in Georgia – success that will only add to his hunger for silverware as Arsenal look to build on last season’s Premier League runners-up spot. “I am at a big club at Arsenal,” Smith Rowe said. “If I didn’t have competition, there wouldn’t be no point. “I have to push myself every day in training, keep working hard. “It’s tough competition but it’s good at the same time. I need to keep working hard and believing in myself. “We’re very ambitious, we want to win trophies. We’re back in Champions League, which is good for the club so really ambitious for us and I want to push on now. “There’s definitely a lot of confidence going into the new season. “We’re a young team as well, so to get that far last season was really good from us. “But, of course, we want to win trophies, so we are going to definitely try and be stronger this year and take it a step further.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live On this day in 2017: Anya Shrubsole bowls England to Women’s World Cup victory Time to show we are a ‘big team’ says Bruno Fernandes Day five of fourth Ashes Test: England face battle with elements in victory push
2023-07-23 14:29
Endy Rodríguez hits his 1st major league home run to help the Pirates beat the Angels 3-0
Endy Rodríguez hit his first major league homer, five Pittsburgh pitchers combined on a five-hitter and the Pirates defeated the Los Angeles Angels 3-0 to snap their four-game winning streak
2023-07-23 12:58
England won, but it was a far from convincing start to its Women's World Cup bid
At least England’s campaign got off to a winning start at the Women's World Cup
2023-07-23 12:52