Career Averages - Tom Aspinall
Career Averages - Marcin Tybura
Tom Aspinall
Marcin Tybura
Tom Aspinall - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tom Aspinall | 0 | 27 of 39 | 69% | 27 of 39 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Ciryl Gane | 0 | 30 of 40 | 75% | 30 of 40 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tom Aspinall | 0 | 27 of 39 | 69% | 27 of 39 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Ciryl Gane | 0 | 30 of 40 | 75% | 30 of 40 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tom Aspinall | 27 of 39 | 69% | 14 of 25 | 5 of 6 | 8 of 8 | 27 of 39 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Ciryl Gane | 30 of 40 | 75% | 8 of 16 | 9 of 11 | 13 of 13 | 30 of 40 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tom Aspinall | 27 of 39 | 69% | 14 of 25 | 5 of 6 | 8 of 8 | 27 of 39 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Ciryl Gane | 30 of 40 | 75% | 8 of 16 | 9 of 11 | 13 of 13 | 30 of 40 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Aspinall (-380), Gane (+300)
Round 1
Despite never engaging in an undisputed championship bout, Aspinall (15-3, 8-1 UFC) is the current undisputed heavyweight king. He achieved this feat by annihilating Sergei Pavlovich in 69 seconds to claim the interim strap, and then defended that silver title by punching out Curtis Blaydes in exactly one minute. He has been away for a smidge under 15 months, during which time he was elevated to the undisputed holder when Jon Jones cast his throne aside again. Like the Liverpudlian, Gane (13-2, 10-2 UFC)—who forgot his groin cup—has only held the interim belt, so there are a lot of marbles on the line. A potential date with either Jones or light heavyweight kingpin Alex Pereira looms, and referee Jason Herzog will be on the ball to make sure everything stays copacetic. He takes a deep breath and brings the two to the middle of the cage to issue instructions, and the big men gladly touch ‘em up with no ill will between them. It’s on with the show.
Gane marches forward and slips a right hand, and he cannot get out of the way of a body kick. Aspinall rushes after him, ignoring kicks and jabs to hurl his big right hand, and he knocks Gane back to the wall. Gane responds with his own overhand right and a kick, and he barely blocks a head kick in time. Every collision is a veritable car crash of danger and pain with these two heavyweights, and Gane has already bloodied up Aspinall’s nose. Aspinall shoots for a takedown, and the Frenchman bucks him to the side without concern and resets on the outside. Aspinall fires off a high kick that pounds into the raised guard, and Gane bounces back and forth on his toes while looking for his sharp jab. Gane pump-fakes to draw a reaction out of his opponent, and Aspinall comes out swinging and trips Gane up with a low kick. The Brit spins with a back kick to the torso, and he darts in and out to draw Gane’s reactions.
Gane jabs him in the stomach, and Aspinall counters with a right hand. Gane stomps the front leg with a kick and peppers Aspinall with his jab, and he tries to escape a body kick but is not out of range. The French fighter keeps behind his jab, and he snaps Aspinall’s head back with a particularly strong one. Gane hyperextends the lead leg with his stomp kick, and Aspinall thinks about a spin and bails on it, only to offer a high-five and a grin to his opponent. Gane pecks away with his sharp jab, staying light on his feet and switching stances frequently. Aspinall chambers and fires a hefty leg kick that Gane takes well, and Gane’s jab is bloodying up the Brit more and more with every impact. They crash together with punches, and Gane’s fingers push off and jam into both of Aspinall’s eyes at once in a Three Stooges-esque disaster. Herzog sees it and calls time, and Aspinall walks to the cage and leans on it in pain. Herzog calls in the doctor as the replays shows both eyes were impacted. Aspinall appears to tell the doctor that he cannot see, and that would be the worst possible outcome if true. Herzog goes over to calm Aspinall down, giving him a towel to hold over his eye and take more time. Once more, Aspinall appears to tell someone that he cannot see. Aspinall is struggling to even open his eye, and he has the doctor further check on the condition. Herzog handles this ordeal like a consummate professional, asking Aspinall once more if he can see. Aspinall says no, so Herzog declares properly that this heavyweight championship bout will be ruled a no contest due to the accidental foul. Gane, learning this news, collapses to the ground in contrition and melancholy, and fans abandon ship in droves and depart the building silently.
Aspinall, who still cannot open his right eye, is incensed that the remaining audience is booing him and curses them out. They keep booing until they see the definitive slow-mo replay, and ouch. He does not stick around long, as he wants to get his eye checked out by the professionals. The crestfallen Gane apologizes to everyone for the inadvertent foul—sometimes these things really do happen in MMA—and hopes that he can get another crack at Aspinall soon. If they run it back in the near future, we will be here for it. We hope you are too.
The Official Result
Tom Aspinall vs. Ciryl Gane is Ruled a No Contest (Accidental Eye Poke) R1 4:35
Angelo picks Tom Aspinall confidently, calling Ciryl Gane undeserving of the title shot. He notes Aspinall's well-rounded skills, 100% takedown accuracy and defense, and hand speed. However, he admits uncertainty about Aspinall's ability to handle adversity or a long fight, as he has only fought 16 minutes in nine UFC fights. Despite this, he believes Aspinall wins any way he wants.
Big Brady is extremely confident in Tom Aspinall, stating he should run through Ciryl Gane. He criticizes Gane's takedown defense and grappling, noting he was outgrappled by Ngannou, Volkov, and submitted by Jones. Brady believes Aspinall has the power to KO anyone and the grappling to submit Gane. He expects Aspinall to close the distance, get the fight to the ground, and finish Gane in the first round via submission.
Cody picks Tom Aspinall to retain the title, citing Aspinall's wrecking ball form and Gane's exploitable grappling. He notes that while Gane has good elbows and cardio, his takedown defense is weak, as seen against Jon Jones and Francis Ngannou. Cody believes Aspinall can knock him out or submit him early, but acknowledges the risk if the fight extends past the first round due to Aspinall's history of early finishes and potential cardio issues.
Connor also picks Aspinall, emphasizing that Gane struggles against opponents who press him and don't respect his range. He compares Aspinall's approach to Volkov's pressure in their fight, which caused Gane to make poor grappling decisions. Connor believes Aspinall's athleticism and wrestling will be too much for Gane, though he notes Aspinall's cardio could be a concern if the fight goes long.
Daniel Vreeland is extremely high on Tom Aspinall, calling him the 'baddest man on the planet' and praising his one-two combination, ground game, and finishing ability. He acknowledges Ciryl Gane's diversity and leg lock threat but believes Aspinall's speed and power will be too much. He notes that Aspinall hasn't been tested past the first round but doesn't see that as a flaw. He picks Aspinall to win decisively.
Lucrative James picks Tom Aspinall to win by submission or ground-and-pound finish in the first round. He highlights Aspinall's massive power and speed advantage early, as well as his superior grappling, noting that Ciryl Gane has repeatedly shown grappling holes against strikers like Francis Ngannou and Alexander Volkov. He acknowledges Gane's technical striking and cardio advantage if the fight goes late, but believes Aspinall's early finishing ability and wrestling will be too much. He also mentions that Gane has been training in Abu Dhabi for a month, giving him an acclimatization edge, but still favors Aspinall.
The host believes Aspinall's physical advantages in speed and power will be too much for Gane. He expects Aspinall to touch Gane up on the feet and mix in takedowns, leading to a finish within two rounds.
Paul also picks Tom Aspinall, emphasizing his well-rounded game with high-level BJJ and knockout power. He notes Aspinall's 100% takedown accuracy in the UFC and believes he can submit Gane similar to Jon Jones. However, Paul warns that if Aspinall doesn't finish early, his cardio could be a concern, as seen in the Arlovski fight, and suggests live betting on Gane if the fight goes past round one.
The MMA Guru picks Tom Aspinall by Kimura submission in the first round, around 3-4 minutes. He believes Aspinall's speed and power will be too much for Gane, and that Gane overthinks in high-pressure situations. He compares their common opponents (Spivac, Volkov, Tuivasa) and sees Aspinall as levels above. He predicts Aspinall will sting Gane on the feet, then get a body lock takedown and transition to a Kimura from top position. He also mentions a PrizePicks bet on Aspinall under 1.5 rounds.
Zane picks Aspinall, believing his pressure and willingness to exchange will overwhelm Gane. He notes Aspinall's lack of deep fight experience but thinks his aggression and wrestling will force Gane into mistakes, likely finishing within two rounds. Zane acknowledges Gane's technical striking but doubts his ability to handle Aspinall's relentless forward pressure.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tom Aspinall | 1 | 14 of 19 | 73% | 14 of 19 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:13 |
| Curtis Blaydes | 0 | 5 of 11 | 45% | 5 of 12 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tom Aspinall | 1 | 14 of 19 | 73% | 14 of 19 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:13 |
| Curtis Blaydes | 0 | 5 of 11 | 45% | 5 of 12 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tom Aspinall | 14 of 19 | 73% | 14 of 19 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 10 of 11 |
| Curtis Blaydes | 5 of 11 | 45% | 5 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tom Aspinall | 14 of 19 | 73% | 14 of 19 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 10 of 11 |
| Curtis Blaydes | 5 of 11 | 45% | 5 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Tom Aspinall, noting that Curtis Blaydes has abandoned his wrestling and has not attempted a takedown in three years. He believes Aspinall is the much better striker and may even mix in takedowns after watching Blaydes get taken down by Jailton Almeida. Angelo warns that heavyweights can always land a knockout, but confidently picks Aspinall.
Cody picks Tom Aspinall, noting his superior boxing, power, and athleticism. He points out that Curtis Blaydes often fails to commit to takedowns and gets knocked out when standing, as seen against Francis Ngannou and Sergei Pavlovich. Cody believes Aspinall's chin is better and that he can finish Blaydes early, likely by knockout in round one or two. He also mentions that Blaydes' wrestling may not be effective against Aspinall's BJJ.
Daniel dismisses the first fight as a fluke injury TKO and believes Tom Aspinall is the superior athlete with better footwork, striking, and fight IQ. He criticizes Blaydes' decision to stand with Pavlovich and thinks Aspinall will finish him early. He predicts a first-round knockout.
Daniel picks Tom Aspinall, citing his superior wrestling, athleticism, and striking power. He notes that Aspinall took down and submitted Volkov, and knocked out Pavlovich, while Blaydes has been exposed by grapplers like Jailton Almeida. He doubts Blaydes can grind out a 25-minute decision and believes Aspinall is far more dangerous on the feet.
Jeff also picks Aspinall, agreeing with Daniel's assessment. He notes Aspinall has the complete package and Blaydes has been out-grappled before. He wishes the line were better but accepts it.
Paul takes a shot on Curtis Blaydes at plus money, citing the volatility of heavyweights. He acknowledges that Aspinall is the more likely winner but notes that Blaydes has cardio and wrestling that could cause problems if the fight goes into later rounds. Paul mentions that he faded Blaydes before but is willing to take a chance at plus 421, as heavyweights are unpredictable.
The MMA Guru picks Tom Aspinall by TKO in the first round. He believes Aspinall is better in every way—faster, more powerful, and with better grappling. He dismisses the first fight due to Aspinall's injury and notes that Blaydes didn't land a clean punch. The Guru points to Aspinall's quick submission of Sergei Pavlovich and his ability to finish fights. He also mentions that Jon Jones tossed Blaydes around, suggesting Aspinall can do the same. He expects Aspinall to land a one-two and finish on the feet.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tom Aspinall | 0 | 1 of 7 | 14% | 1 of 7 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Sergei Pavlovich | 1 | 10 of 14 | 71% | 10 of 14 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tom Aspinall | 0 | 1 of 7 | 14% | 1 of 7 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Sergei Pavlovich | 1 | 10 of 14 | 71% | 10 of 14 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tom Aspinall | 1 of 7 | 14% | 1 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Sergei Pavlovich | 10 of 14 | 71% | 7 of 10 | 0 of 1 | 3 of 3 | 7 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 3 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tom Aspinall | 1 of 7 | 14% | 1 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Sergei Pavlovich | 10 of 14 | 71% | 7 of 10 | 0 of 1 | 3 of 3 | 7 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 3 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Aspinall (-118), Pavlovich (-102)
Round 1
The interim heavyweight strap looms, while current champ Jon Jones is on the mend from shoulder surgery. It is unclear if the winner of this fight will face the victor between the rescheduled Jones-Stipe Miocic tilt that may happen next year, as a lot of factors remain. This silver medal will be vied for by a pair of finishers that have each claimed six victories opposite a single defeat in the UFC thus far, and in those 14 fights, only Aspinall (13-3, 6-1 UFC) has reached Round 2. Once. The betting line that Pavlovich (18-1, 6-1 UFC) and Aspinall reach the final bell is currently around -1400, although that same prop for Jailton Almeida and Derrick Lewis last week was an astounding -3500, and everyone knows what happened. This is MMA, where anything can and often does happen. The fighters share an embrace when brought together, and referee Dan Miragliotta takes a deep breath. Pavlovich keeps his left hand out early to measure, and Aspinall kicks the lead leg in a hurry. Aspinall splits the guard with a front kick that just grazes the midsection, and a kick is checked by Pavlovich. A flurry from the Russian dislodges Aspinall’s mouthpiece, and he appears surprised at the power that came his way as he resets it. Pavlovich blocks a high kick and crowds his man with an overhand right that connects and hurts Pavlovich. Aspinall reaches out with a left, and follows with a momentous right hook that collides square into the temple. Pavlovich’s eyes go wide as his balance gives out, and he slowly collapses to his back like a flan in a cupboard. Confidence through the roof, Aspinall pounces, and he completely hammers the nail with three hammerfists before Miragliotta reaches him to shove the new champion off of the fallen Russian. Aspinall has done it, becoming the third Brit to claim a UFC belt, and joining Michael Bisping and Leon Edwards. What a night of fights so far, and there is one more championship to go.
The Official Result
Tom Aspinall def. Sergei Pavlovich R1 1:09 via TKO (Punches)
Angelo picks Aspinall, citing his well-roundedness and ability to mix in takedowns. He notes Pavlovich has insane power but is untested in later rounds and against takedowns. He thinks Aspinall's wrestling and BJJ will be the difference, but he is not betting due to the even odds and volatility.
Big Brady slightly leans Tom Aspinall, citing his multiple paths to victory. He notes Aspinall has a significant advantage on the ground with his BJJ and ground-and-pound, while Pavlovich has shown nothing off his back. However, he acknowledges Pavlovich's terrifying power and that Aspinall must get the fight to the mat. Brady says he probably won't bet the moneyline but might look at a prop.
Cody leans Pavlovich, citing Aspinall's questionable cardio after the first round and his knee injury history. He thinks Pavlovich's power and pressure will be too much, and that Aspinall hasn't proven he can go into deep waters. He notes Pavlovich's training partners praise his cardio, and he believes Pavlovich will land something big and take over.
James picks Tom Aspinall, believing he should be a decent favorite despite the even line. He sees the striking as roughly 50/50, but gives Aspinall 80% of the grappling upside. He notes Pavlovich's takedown defense is untested and Aspinall has athletic takedowns. He acknowledges the short notice for Aspinall but thinks it matters less at heavyweight. He sees Aspinall having more paths to win: decision, submission, or knockout.
Aspinall's speed, agility, and athleticism will be key. He can land a straight right or secure a takedown and dominate from top position. Pavlovich's grappling vulnerability was exposed by Overeem. Aspinall's physicality will allow him to snatch the victory. Expects a finish, calling it round two. Short notice is less of a concern at heavyweight.
Paul is a believer in Pavlovich, having taken him at +135 earlier. He dismisses the Overeem loss as a debut five years ago, noting Pavlovich has improved immensely at Eagles MMA. He thinks Pavlovich's takedown defense and devastating power make him a problem, and that Aspinall's cardio and durability are unproven.
The MMA Guru picks Tom Aspinall, citing his superior movement and fight IQ. He notes that Pavlovich's opponents have stood still, while Aspinall will use footwork, feints, and takedown threats. He predicts Aspinall will get a takedown and submit Pavlovich in round two, possibly with a rear-naked choke. He also mentions Pavlovich's high activity may lead to accumulated injuries.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tom Aspinall | 1 | 13 of 18 | 72% | 13 of 18 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:05 |
| Marcin Tybura | 0 | 4 of 15 | 26% | 4 of 15 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tom Aspinall | 1 | 13 of 18 | 72% | 13 of 18 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:05 |
| Marcin Tybura | 0 | 4 of 15 | 26% | 4 of 15 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tom Aspinall | 13 of 18 | 72% | 12 of 17 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 8 |
| Marcin Tybura | 4 of 15 | 26% | 2 of 13 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tom Aspinall | 13 of 18 | 72% | 12 of 17 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 8 |
| Marcin Tybura | 4 of 15 | 26% | 2 of 13 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo is all-in on Tom Aspinall, believing he should dominate anywhere the fight goes. He acknowledges the knee injury concern but thinks Aspinall's speed, power, and BJJ are superior. He calls Aspinall the most confident pick on the card and suggests him as a parlay piece with Molly McCann.
Big Brady picks Tom Aspinall to win by first-round knockout. He calls it a setup fight for Aspinall after his injury. He notes Tybura has been knocked out by Derrick Lewis and others, and questions his chin. He thinks Aspinall's speed and power will be too much, and Tybura's only path is to take Aspinall down or outlast him, which he doubts. He mentions Tybura looked skinny at the face-off.
Cody acknowledges Aspinall is likely to win but sees value on Tybura at +380 due to Aspinall's knee injury and heavyweight volatility. He took a very small bet on Tybura, fully expecting to lose, but thinks the price is too high on Aspinall. He mentions that historically, plus money heavyweights have value.
Daniel picks Tom Aspinall to win, citing his speed, technical striking, and well-rounded game including takedowns and submissions. He notes that Aspinall represents the new wave of heavyweights and has a significant speed advantage over Tybura. However, he is concerned about the price at -475, calling it a 'sucker bet' and stating he lines Aspinall closer to -400. He also mentions the risk of freak injury given Aspinall's recent surgery. Despite the pick, he passes on betting due to poor value.
James picks Tom Aspinall to win by finish in round two. He acknowledges Aspinall's cardio is an unknown but notes that the only evidence of a cardio issue was the Arlovski fight where Aspinall seemed to have an adrenaline dump but still finished. He believes Aspinall is better than Tybura everywhere and that Tybura's only advantages are experience and potential cardio. James thinks Aspinall will be smarter this time and not steamroll in round one, but will get the finish in round two. He mentions that Tybura at +350 is the value side but he still favors Aspinall.
The host picks Tom Aspinall, citing his speed, power, and ability to finish. He notes Tybura has been hurt early in fights before but that Aspinall is a better finisher than those opponents. He predicts a first-round stoppage and suggests targeting under 1.5 rounds.
Paul picks Aspinall but notes the price is too high to bet straight. He suggests live betting Tybura after the first round if Aspinall gasses. He highlights Aspinall's speed, power, and BJJ, but also his cardio concerns and the knee injury. He would hedge if Aspinall is on a parlay.
The MMA Guru picks Tom Aspinall, calling it a logical pick. He criticizes Marcin Tybura's age and conditioning, and notes Tybura has no submission wins in the UFC. The Guru believes Aspinall has a massive advantage on the feet and on the ground, and predicts a finish in the first round, either by TKO or takedown. He also mentions Aspinall's year off and vengeance after surgery.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Curtis Blaydes | 0 | 4 of 10 | 40% | 4 of 10 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
| Tom Aspinall | 0 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Curtis Blaydes | 0 | 4 of 10 | 40% | 4 of 10 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
| Tom Aspinall | 0 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Curtis Blaydes | 4 of 10 | 40% | 2 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Tom Aspinall | 3 of 5 | 60% | 0 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Curtis Blaydes | 4 of 10 | 40% | 2 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Tom Aspinall | 3 of 5 | 60% | 0 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Curtis Blaydes, citing his next-level wrestling and recent striking improvement. He notes Blaydes has taken down elite heavyweights like Volkov, Overeem, and Hunt, while Aspinall's 100% takedown defense is based on only two defended attempts. He believes Blaydes will have success on the feet but ultimately get takedowns and win. He has a moneyline bet on Blaydes as an underdog.
Big Brady picks Tom Aspinall to win by first-round knockout, but he is hesitant. He notes Blaydes is a tough matchup with great wrestling, but Aspinall is the much better striker with power and speed. He questions Aspinall's takedown defense but thinks his BJJ black belt and get-up game could be key. He believes Aspinall can knock Blaydes out early.
Cody leans towards Tom Aspinall, expecting an early stoppage within the first 10 minutes. He highlights Aspinall's superior hands, pro boxing experience, and size advantage. Cody notes Blaydes' tendency to get complacent striking and his late notice for the fight. He also mentions Aspinall's jiu-jitsu can keep him safe on the ground. Cody plans to live bet Blaydes if Aspinall doesn't finish early.
Daniel Levi picks Tom Aspinall to win, arguing that Aspinall's speed, variety, and well-rounded game will be too much for Curtis Blaydes. He dismisses the notion that Blaydes can simply extend the fight and win, noting that Blaydes lost the championship rounds against Volkov. Levi emphasizes Aspinall's impressive grappling, including a straight arm lock submission on Volkov, and believes Aspinall's takedown defense and offensive wrestling are underrated. He also mentions the home crowd advantage and Blaydes' potential jet lag.
Aspinall has cardio questions. If Blaydes survives the early onslaught and takes Aspinall down, Aspinall will gas. Blaydes has faced tougher competition and has more tools to win over a longer fight. I see Blaydes finishing Aspinall in the third round via TKO from top position.
Paul leans towards Curtis Blaydes at plus money, citing uncertainty about Tom Aspinall's cardio and performance if taken down multiple times. He notes Blaydes has never been an underdog in the UFC and has strong wrestling and top control. Paul suggests live betting Aspinall early and then Blaydes if Aspinall doesn't finish. He admits he doesn't love the pick and probably won't bet it.
The MMA Guru picks Tom Aspinall to win by first-round TKO. He notes Blaydes has a pattern of overcommitting to a strategy and losing. Aspinall is quick, technical, and has a jiu-jitsu background. He will chop the legs, land combos, and time a takedown. Blaydes will get back up but take damage, and Aspinall will finish him late in the first round.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tom Aspinall | 0 | 13 of 23 | 56% | 13 of 23 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Alexander Volkov | 0 | 29 of 43 | 67% | 35 of 50 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 1:54 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tom Aspinall | 0 | 13 of 23 | 56% | 13 of 23 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Alexander Volkov | 0 | 29 of 43 | 67% | 35 of 50 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 1:54 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tom Aspinall | 13 of 23 | 56% | 6 of 16 | 5 of 5 | 2 of 2 | 13 of 22 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 |
| Alexander Volkov | 29 of 43 | 67% | 16 of 30 | 5 of 5 | 8 of 8 | 16 of 26 | 1 of 1 | 12 of 16 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tom Aspinall | 13 of 23 | 56% | 6 of 16 | 5 of 5 | 2 of 2 | 13 of 22 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 |
| Alexander Volkov | 29 of 43 | 67% | 16 of 30 | 5 of 5 | 8 of 8 | 16 of 26 | 1 of 1 | 12 of 16 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
In extremely hostile territory, Russian striker Volkov (34-9, 8-3 UFC) will compete as one half of the main event against surging British upstart and pure finisher Aspinall (11-2, 4-0 UFC). The partisan crowd has been treated to plenty of locals getting their hand raised thus far tonight, and they hope to end the night with the Team Kaobon fighter out of Manchester getting it done once more. Referee Marc Goddard will serve as the final Octagon ranger of the evening, and a cool hand shake is exchanged before the two inflict powerful heavyweight violence on one another. Aspinall starts first with several quick punches, landing a trio of shots on the chin as Volkov is caught standing still. Volkov backs off to get into his preferred range, landing leg kicks and checking one of his own. The Brit surges forward, grabbing hold of his opponent and wrenching him down to the mat. Landing in side control one minute into the round, Aspinall elects to step into half guard and hack down with short elbows. Volkov is already cut from these elbows on the side of his head, and Aspinall continues working on it. Aspinall lets go with his other hand, slamming down fists and elbows as Volkov struggles to work his way to the fence. When the Russian sits up, Aspinall isolates a two-on-one wrist lock to try to hunt for a kimura, but Volkov straightens his arm and fights back up to his feet. Aspinall resets, and Volkov chips at him with a leg kick and a right hand as Aspinall advances with a hacking standing elbow. Aspinall attacks the leg and stands right in front of his opponent, throwing strikes, and Volkov is frozen watching it happen. Aspinall throws a kick and falls to the ground, and although Volkov runs over to try to capitalize on the position, Aspinall rolls and stands back up to high five Volkov. The Brit gathers his footing and rushes in, hitting a tackle of a double-leg takedown to put the Russian down to the canvas again.
Instead of hunting for ground-and-pound, Aspinall immediately goes after Volkov’s left arm. Briefly considering a kimura again, Aspinall changes it up to lock up a straight armbar, and Volkov taps out frantically when his elbow hyperextends.
The Team Kaobon fighter releases, and he sprints to the cage wall to climb it alongside teammate Darren Till. This is unquestionably a breakout performance for the instant heavyweight contender, blowing through a durable, crafty veteran while barely breaking a sweat. What a major turn of events in a fight card full of them, closing out a thrilling card that very well will be involved in “Event of the Year” conversations in nine-plus months. In his post-fight conversation with commentator Michael Bisping, the victorious Aspinall challenges Tai Tuivasa to drink beer with him – and fight – when the promotion returns to England. Should that come together, we will be here for it, and we hope you are too.
The Official Result
Tom Aspinall def. Alexander Volkov R1 3:45 via Submission (Straight Armbar)
Angelo picks Tom Aspinall, citing his superior pure striking, more power, and better grappling compared to Volkov. He notes that Volkov has lost to strikers like Gane and Lewis, and to grapplers like Blaydes. Angelo acknowledges Volkov's durability and the fact that Aspinall has never gone three rounds, but still sees Aspinall as the straightforward pick. He has a moneyline bet on Aspinall at minus 110.
Big Brady picks Alexander Volkov to win by late knockout. He has question marks about Aspinall's cardio, as Aspinall has never won a fight past 1.5 rounds and slowed in the Arlovski fight. Brady believes Volkov has a proven chin, excellent cardio, and has faced much better competition. He doubts Aspinall can take Volkov down and thinks the fight will stay on the feet, where Volkov's experience and durability will prevail.
Cody picks Aspinall but is hesitant due to the five-round distance. He notes Aspinall's speed and power advantage, and thinks his grappling might be better, but the five rounds scare him. He hasn't placed a bet on it.
Daniel Levi picks Tom Aspinall at dog odds (+110), citing his speed advantage, confidence, and Volkov's potential decline after missing a title shot. He notes Aspinall's footwork and movement are rare for a heavyweight, and that Volkov's recent performances have been shaky. Levi acknowledges the cardio question but believes Aspinall can finish early or outpoint Volkov. He also mentions that Volkov's last two five-round fights were losses.
Volkov is a 43-fight veteran who has only been knocked out twice, showing durability. Aspinall's win condition is a first-round KO; if he doesn't get it, he fades. Volkov's range kickboxing, teeps, and leg kicks will chip away at Aspinall's gas tank. Aspinall's win over Spivak was impressive but Spivak looked intimidated. Volkov at underdog odds is great value; I'll bet him at +120 to +130 for 2 units. I'm picking Volkov via third-round TKO.
Paul picks Volkov, emphasizing the five-round advantage and Volkov's durability. He argues Aspinall needs a first-round KO, but Volkov has a good chin and cardio. He cites Volkov's improvements in takedown defense and size, and believes Aspinall's aggressive style will lead to fatigue in later rounds.
The Guru picks Tom Aspinall despite the close odds, citing Aspinall's speed, power, and grappling pedigree. He notes Volkov's vulnerability to being cracked, referencing Derrick Lewis's knockout, and believes Aspinall's team focus (after Darren Till left) will elevate him. He also mentions potential hometown judging bias in the UK. He predicts a first-round TKO, with Aspinall landing a 1-2 straight down the pipe.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tom Aspinall | 1 | 16 of 26 | 61% | 16 of 26 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
| Serghei Spivac | 0 | 0 of 11 | 0% | 0 of 11 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tom Aspinall | 1 | 16 of 26 | 61% | 16 of 26 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
| Serghei Spivac | 0 | 0 of 11 | 0% | 0 of 11 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tom Aspinall | 16 of 26 | 61% | 12 of 22 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 13 | 3 of 3 | 6 of 10 |
| Serghei Spivac | 0 of 11 | 0% | 0 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tom Aspinall | 16 of 26 | 61% | 12 of 22 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 13 | 3 of 3 | 6 of 10 |
| Serghei Spivac | 0 of 11 | 0% | 0 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Big Brady picks Tom Aspinall to win by knockout, citing Aspinall's excellent striking volume (7.43 sig strikes/min, 66% accuracy) and power. He acknowledges question marks about Aspinall's takedown defense and cardio beyond the first round, but believes Spivac's short notice and questionable cardio will prevent him from wrestling effectively for three rounds. Brady notes Spivac has been knocked out before (by Walt Harris) and expects Aspinall to finish him either early or late as Spivac gasses. He cautions against parlays this week due to close fights.
Cody picks Aspinall but suggests betting Spivac live after the first round, expecting Aspinall to dominate early and the line to swell. He notes Aspinall's cardio concerns and Spivac's ability to fight deep, but thinks Spivac looked awful against Olenyk and is on short notice. He believes Aspinall's speed and power will be too much early, but if it goes past round one, Spivac could take over.
I'm fading Aspinall because his cardio is suspect—he gassed against Stuart Austin and slowed against Arlovski. Spivak has shown he can go deep into fights, like against Carlos Felipe. Aspinall's grappling defense is questionable; he got submitted by Austin and looked bad on his back. Spivak keeps a high pace and can wrestle. If Aspinall doesn't finish early, Spivak will take over. I bet Spivak on the moneyline and like Spivak by decision at +500.
Paul is staying away from this fight, citing the big juice on heavyweights and the uncertainty of both young fighters. He mentions Aspinall's cardio issues and Spivac's poor performance against Olenyk, but doesn't commit to a pick. He notes the prop 'Aspinall by KO' is -120 but still doesn't want to bet.
The MMA Guru picks Tom Aspinall to win by first-round TKO. He believes Aspinall's size, athleticism, and jiu-jitsu black belt will prevent Spivac from grinding him out. He notes Spivac starts slow and makes mistakes on the feet early, and on short notice, Spivac's cardio will be compromised. He compares it to Walt Harris's TKO of Spivac.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tom Aspinall | 0 | 20 of 55 | 36% | 22 of 57 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Andrei Arlovski | 0 | 37 of 60 | 61% | 41 of 64 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 2:17 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tom Aspinall | 0 | 16 of 42 | 38% | 18 of 44 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Andrei Arlovski | 0 | 33 of 54 | 61% | 37 of 58 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 2:09 | |
| 2 | Tom Aspinall | 0 | 4 of 13 | 30% | 4 of 13 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Andrei Arlovski | 0 | 4 of 6 | 66% | 4 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 0:08 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tom Aspinall | 20 of 55 | 36% | 8 of 40 | 7 of 9 | 5 of 6 | 17 of 49 | 3 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
| Andrei Arlovski | 37 of 60 | 61% | 22 of 44 | 6 of 7 | 9 of 9 | 24 of 40 | 13 of 20 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tom Aspinall | 16 of 42 | 38% | 7 of 31 | 6 of 7 | 3 of 4 | 13 of 36 | 3 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
| Andrei Arlovski | 33 of 54 | 61% | 21 of 42 | 6 of 6 | 6 of 6 | 20 of 34 | 13 of 20 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Tom Aspinall | 4 of 13 | 30% | 1 of 9 | 1 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Andrei Arlovski | 4 of 6 | 66% | 1 of 2 | 0 of 1 | 3 of 3 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Daniel Levi dismisses the narrative that Aspinall gasses after the first round, noting his only real loss was a heel hook in 2015 and a DQ due to an illegal elbow. He praises Aspinall's physical traits: 6'5", 265 lbs, 78-inch reach, and straight punches down the pipe. Levi believes Aspinall's sparring with Tyson Fury and training at Team Cowboy have elevated his game. He expects Aspinall to knock out Arlovski in the first round, comparing it to when Jairzinho Rozenstruik knocked out Arlovski.
Marcin Tybura - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marcin Tybura | 0 | 47 of 110 | 42% | 85 of 153 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:41 |
| Tyrell Fortune | 0 | 30 of 59 | 50% | 49 of 81 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 0 | 0 | 5:07 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marcin Tybura | 0 | 8 of 22 | 36% | 13 of 28 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Tyrell Fortune | 0 | 9 of 15 | 60% | 18 of 26 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 3:03 | |
| 2 | Marcin Tybura | 0 | 19 of 50 | 38% | 21 of 52 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Tyrell Fortune | 0 | 13 of 26 | 50% | 13 of 26 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Marcin Tybura | 0 | 20 of 38 | 52% | 51 of 73 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:41 |
| Tyrell Fortune | 0 | 8 of 18 | 44% | 18 of 29 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 2:04 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marcin Tybura | 47 of 110 | 42% | 22 of 77 | 20 of 27 | 5 of 6 | 36 of 96 | 11 of 14 | 0 of 0 |
| Tyrell Fortune | 30 of 59 | 50% | 24 of 53 | 6 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 18 of 43 | 6 of 6 | 6 of 10 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marcin Tybura | 8 of 22 | 36% | 5 of 16 | 2 of 4 | 1 of 2 | 4 of 17 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
| Tyrell Fortune | 9 of 15 | 60% | 8 of 14 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 5 of 9 | |
| 2 | Marcin Tybura | 19 of 50 | 38% | 8 of 35 | 7 of 11 | 4 of 4 | 17 of 47 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Tyrell Fortune | 13 of 26 | 50% | 11 of 24 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 12 of 25 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Marcin Tybura | 20 of 38 | 52% | 9 of 26 | 11 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 15 of 32 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
| Tyrell Fortune | 8 of 18 | 44% | 5 of 15 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 14 | 3 of 3 | 1 of 1 |
Angelo picks Tyrell Fortune because he believes Fortune's power and striking will be too much for the aging Marcin Tybura. He notes that if Tybura can get takedowns, he could grind out a win, but he doubts Tybura can avoid Fortune's power. Angelo suggests betting on Fortune inside the distance if hesitant on the moneyline, as Tybura is unlikely to finish Fortune.
Big Brady leans toward Marcin Tybura to win by second-round submission. He acknowledges it's a greasy heavyweight fight and sees paths for both. He favors Tybura's experience and submission grappling advantage on the ground. He notes Tybura is 40 with a questionable chin, but believes if Tybura gets on top, the fight ends quickly. He also mentions Fortune's power and early finishes but thinks Tybura's path is more reliable.
Cody picks Tybura, expecting him to survive Fortune's early explosiveness and take over as Fortune fades. He suggests live betting Tybura after the first round.
Connor also picks Tybura, agreeing that Fortune's grappling is bad and that Tybura's backtake game will be decisive. He notes that Fortune is not interested in fighting and that Tybura's decline is a concern but Fortune is not the type to exploit it.
Daniel thinks Fortune is catching Tybura at the right time, as Tybura is 40 and near retirement. He believes Fortune's motivation and well-rounded skills will earn him a UFC debut win.
The host believes Fortune's wrestling and grappling will be the difference, allowing him to control the fight on the ground. He notes Tybura's experience but thinks Fortune's strength and top pressure will grind out a decision. He expresses some concern about Fortune's submission defense after a heel hook loss but expects him to have shored that up.
Paul leans Tybura as a dog, citing Fortune's questionable cardio and heart. He's hesitant but sees value on Tybura at plus money.
The MMA Guru picks Marcin Tybura, despite acknowledging Tyrell Fortune's wrestling background. He believes Tybura's experience and durability will carry him to a decision win. He notes that Fortune has not faced high-level competition recently and that Tybura can grind out a win. He predicts a 29-28 decision.
Zane picks Tybura due to his grappling advantage, noting that Tybura is one of the few heavyweights with a backtake game, while Fortune has poor grappling instincts and gives up his back. He also mentions Fortune's lack of willingness to finish.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marcin Tybura | 0 | 4 of 9 | 44% | 8 of 15 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:18 |
| Ante Delija | 1 | 13 of 28 | 46% | 15 of 30 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:08 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marcin Tybura | 0 | 4 of 9 | 44% | 8 of 15 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:18 |
| Ante Delija | 1 | 13 of 28 | 46% | 15 of 30 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:08 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marcin Tybura | 4 of 9 | 44% | 1 of 5 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 7 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Ante Delija | 13 of 28 | 46% | 13 of 28 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 9 of 23 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 5 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marcin Tybura | 4 of 9 | 44% | 1 of 5 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 7 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Ante Delija | 13 of 28 | 46% | 13 of 28 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 9 of 23 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 5 |
Angelo reluctantly picks Marcin Tybura, citing his toughness, experience, and ability to grind out wins. He notes that the line has flipped with Delija now the favorite. He acknowledges Delija's power and takedowns but points out his age (35) and that he's from another organization, which the community often dismisses. He believes Tybura's durability and cagemanship will be key.
Big Brady picks Ante Delija, citing his speed and power on the feet. He notes Tybura's chin has been cracked and he is almost 40. He sees Delia winning by knockout if he can stuff takedowns, but acknowledges Tybura's path via grappling. He predicts a knockout win.
The host recalls their first meeting where Tybura won after Delija broke his leg. He thinks Delija can be successful in the UFC and will land more damaging shots, be more aggressive, mix in clinch and takedowns, eventually find a dominant position and get Tybura out of there via TKO.
The Guru picks Ante Delija, arguing that Tybura's 'fraud check' wins come against less experienced opponents, while Delija is a seasoned heavyweight with no clear holes. He notes Delija's training with Tom Aspinall and believes his athleticism and footwork will be too much. He predicts a TKO finish in round two or three, possibly from leg kicks and in-close shots.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marcin Tybura | 0 | 61 of 155 | 39% | 64 of 158 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:01 |
| Mick Parkin | 0 | 60 of 145 | 41% | 102 of 192 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 3:43 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marcin Tybura | 0 | 21 of 56 | 37% | 21 of 56 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:19 |
| Mick Parkin | 0 | 23 of 45 | 51% | 24 of 46 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:19 | |
| 2 | Marcin Tybura | 0 | 7 of 20 | 35% | 10 of 23 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:17 |
| Mick Parkin | 0 | 15 of 38 | 39% | 41 of 69 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 3:24 | |
| 3 | Marcin Tybura | 0 | 33 of 79 | 41% | 33 of 79 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:25 |
| Mick Parkin | 0 | 22 of 62 | 35% | 37 of 77 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marcin Tybura | 61 of 155 | 39% | 28 of 110 | 29 of 40 | 4 of 5 | 60 of 151 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Mick Parkin | 60 of 145 | 41% | 47 of 130 | 1 of 2 | 12 of 13 | 49 of 118 | 2 of 2 | 9 of 25 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marcin Tybura | 21 of 56 | 37% | 4 of 34 | 15 of 20 | 2 of 2 | 21 of 56 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Mick Parkin | 23 of 45 | 51% | 13 of 34 | 1 of 1 | 9 of 10 | 22 of 44 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Marcin Tybura | 7 of 20 | 35% | 4 of 15 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 19 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Mick Parkin | 15 of 38 | 39% | 15 of 38 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 12 | 1 of 1 | 9 of 25 | |
| 3 | Marcin Tybura | 33 of 79 | 41% | 20 of 61 | 11 of 15 | 2 of 3 | 32 of 76 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Mick Parkin | 22 of 62 | 35% | 19 of 58 | 0 of 1 | 3 of 3 | 22 of 62 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Mick Parkin, going against his bias for wrestlers. He notes Tybura's chin is fading after being wobbled in recent fights, but questions whether Parkin has one-punch knockout power. He thinks if Tybura can't get takedowns, he's in trouble, and Parkin's pace and control could be the difference. He admits it's a gut pick.
Brady is taking the underdog Tybura, questioning what a Mick Parkin win looks like. He notes Parkin's wins are against low-level competition and that he was outlanded by Kyle Machado. Brady thinks Tybura can win a close fight on the feet or dominate on top, and predicts a decision win.
The host notes that the UFC has brought Parkin along slowly, and now he faces a tough veteran. Parkin's athletic advantages in striking and grappling will be too much for the aging Tybura, leading to a late finish or decision win.
The Guru is confident in Mick Parkin, praising his conditioning, patience, and well-rounded game. He notes that Tybura has beaten many heavyweights who rush for a finish, but Parkin is patient and won't make that mistake. He expects Parkin to chop at the legs, stay composed, and win a 29-28 decision, as he has seen Parkin answer grappling questions that other Tybura opponents could not.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marcin Tybura | 0 | 35 of 49 | 71% | 153 of 187 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 1 | 7:14 |
| Jhonata Diniz | 0 | 15 of 29 | 51% | 27 of 44 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:36 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marcin Tybura | 0 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 66 of 82 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 3:57 |
| Jhonata Diniz | 0 | 7 of 14 | 50% | 17 of 26 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:36 | |
| 2 | Marcin Tybura | 0 | 32 of 44 | 72% | 87 of 105 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 3:17 |
| Jhonata Diniz | 0 | 8 of 15 | 53% | 10 of 18 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marcin Tybura | 35 of 49 | 71% | 33 of 46 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 9 of 19 | 0 of 0 | 26 of 30 |
| Jhonata Diniz | 15 of 29 | 51% | 13 of 27 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 8 of 18 | 1 of 1 | 6 of 10 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marcin Tybura | 3 of 5 | 60% | 2 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 3 |
| Jhonata Diniz | 7 of 14 | 50% | 7 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 6 of 10 | |
| 2 | Marcin Tybura | 32 of 44 | 72% | 31 of 42 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 8 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 24 of 27 |
| Jhonata Diniz | 8 of 15 | 53% | 6 of 13 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 8 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Tybura (-148), Diniz (+124)
Round 1
With Derrick Lewis out for the time being, Tybura (25-9, 12-8 UFC) is now the man who stands across the Octagon from undefeated hammer-thrower Diniz (8-0, 2-0 UFC). The Brazilian came in a few weeks ago expecting to serve as the favorite against “The Black Beast,” but instead he finds himself in a pick-‘em with a well-rounded Polish heavyweight. The big men get after it as soon as referee Herb Dean says go, with a touch of gloves a formality that happens first. Tybura strikes first with a body kick, and he shells up to block two punches up top. Diniz lets fly a surprising head kick, and he blitzes forward and clips the Polish fighter with a short, mean left hand. Tybura falls to his back, and Diniz gladly leaps on top while moving to half guard hacking down with elbows. Tybura attempts a sweep, but Diniz blasts him in the face with hammerfists in an effort to stop it. Tybura steels himself and completes the reversal, dumping the undefeated fighter on his back and lowering himself down into half guard. Diniz clings to the man on top of him to prevent most offense from raining down on him, and the crowd does not appreciate the stalemate that follows. Tybura uses his full body weight to press down, staying chest-to-chest and getting off short strikes on either side. Tybura covers Diniz’ mouth when not smacking him with short strikes that are more irritating than damaging. Tybura grinds with an elbow on the chin, and he uses the awkward face covering to step over to full mount. Tybura keeps tightly pressed rather than posturing up, smothering the unbeaten man and making his life miserable. Tybura sits up to drive a few punches on the chin, and Diniz ties him up again to save himself. Tybura gets in a single heavy elbow, and he rides out the remainder of the round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Tybura
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Tybura
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Tybura
Round 2
Gloves are touched to start the round, and once more, Tybura aims a kick to the ribs. Diniz crowds him with a right hand, and Tybura backs off to reset. Tybura reaches out with a left hand that comes up short, and he pushes out a front kick that is also inaccurate. Diniz’ clubbing right hand bounces off the guard, and he narrowly evades a front kick aimed at his chin. Tybura keeps his distance with another front kick, and he dings Diniz with a straight left. Diniz bites down on his mouthpiece and slugs the Polish fighter in the jaw with a few heavy blows, and Tybura strikes back and slips away. Tybura splits the guard with a left, and Diniz wings back three punches that get his attention. Tybura drops down, ducking a punch and setting up a double-leg takedown. “Tybur” climbs into half guard, and Diniz claims that he is getting poked in the eye. Dean tells them to keep working, and Tybura does so with sporadic but effective ground-and-pound. With 1:50 remaining in the round, Tybura assumes full mount, and he starts fishing for an armlock by gripping Diniz’ right wrist and torqueing it. Tybura lets it go so he can set up a crucifix, and he beats down on the Brazilian with punches and elbows. Tybura pounds down with a pair of elbows, and he opens up with several more than rip Diniz’ face wide open. Blood sprays across the canvas in a display reminiscent of the infamous “you don’t know where I’ve been, Lou” scene, only it is the man on his back that is pouring red fluid everywhere. Tybura jackhammers the Brazilian with a massive flurry of elbows, and Diniz barely survives to the bell as cuts are all over his face with blood streaming everywhere. Diniz has to be helped back to his corner, and doctors are going to look closely at him.
Before the third round opens, physicians attend to Diniz and check his condition. He passes the vision test, and the cutman appears to have sealed most of the open wounds on him. However, Diniz is wobbly on his feet even after a minute to recover, and the doctor does not want any further damage inflicted on the Brazilian.
Diniz starts shouting that he is fine, able to continue and is not as hurt as he appears. The medical team thinks otherwise, informing Dean that Diniz’ condition is no bueno and that he should not be fighting anymore today. Dean accepts their advice and calls a halt to the match between rounds, giving a 5:00 finish by doctor stoppage to the Polish fighter.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-8 Tybura
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-8 Tybura
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-8 Tybura
The Official Result
Marcin Tybura def. Jhonata Diniz R2 5:00 via TKO (Doctor Stoppage)
Angelo picks Marcin Tybura, emphasizing that Tybura is a durable grinder who can get fights to the ground, while Jhonata Diniz is useless off his back. He notes that Diniz has great striking but untested takedown defense, and Tybura will eat shots to get the takedown. He hopes Tybura is an underdog and plans to bet if so.
Big Brady leans with Marcin Tybura, believing that if Tybura gets the fight to the mat, he will dominate. He notes that Tybura often gets beat up on the feet before wrestling, but if he uses his fight IQ and takes Diniz down early, he can finish. He also mentions that Diniz is vulnerable on the ground, as seen in fights against Austin Lane and Karl Williams. Brady predicts a first-round knockout via ground and pound or submission.
Cody picks Marcin Tybura by submission, citing Tybura's grappling advantage and Diniz's poor takedown defense. He notes Tybura has taken down many heavyweights and has a black belt in BJJ. Cody expects Tybura to take Diniz down and submit him, possibly in the first round.
Connor agrees with Zane, noting that Tybura's wrestling will be too much for Diniz. He mentions that Diniz's game is busy in the pocket but that Tybura can tie him up and drag him down. Connor also notes that Tybura has been knocked out before but is durable and awkward.
Daniel Vreeland picks Jhonata Diniz as an underdog, believing he can survive Tybura's takedowns and win on the feet. He notes Diniz's youth, reach, and power, and thinks Tybura is declining. He acknowledges Tybura's ground game but expects Diniz to avoid or survive bad positions and land strikes. He mentions the odds movement as a factor.
Vreeland picks Tybura as his lock, stating he is 1000% sure Tybura will take down and ground-and-pound Diniz. He believes Tybura's wrestling and top control will be too much for Diniz, leading to a TKO finish.
Fox picks Oliveira as his lock instead of Tybura, saying he got even safer. He does not provide detailed reasoning for this pick in the transcript, but it is clear he is confident in Oliveira.
The host notes Tybura is a different opponent than Diniz was expecting (originally scheduled to face Derrick Lewis). He expects Tybura to showcase his full MMA game, staying away from Diniz's striking, getting the fight to the ground, and finding a submission opportunity.
Paul picks Marcin Tybura, citing his experience and grappling. He notes Diniz is a one-dimensional striker with poor grappling, and Tybura will take him down and control him. Paul expects Tybura to win by decision or submission, and is confident in the pick.
The MMA Guru picks Jhonata Diniz, noting his kickboxing background and KO power. He sees value in Diniz as a slight underdog. He believes Diniz's takedown defense will hold up and that he can KO Tybura early, possibly with a jab.
Zane picks Tybura, expecting him to take Diniz down and get his back. He notes that Tybura is one of the few backtake artists in the heavyweight division and that Diniz is not prepared for that grappling. Zane acknowledges that Tybura can get knocked out early, but he trusts Tybura's wrestling to prevail.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Serghei Spivac | 0 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 9 of 18 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 0:43 |
| Marcin Tybura | 0 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 8 of 11 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 0:34 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Serghei Spivac | 0 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 9 of 18 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 0:43 |
| Marcin Tybura | 0 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 8 of 11 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 0:34 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Serghei Spivac | 0 of 4 | 0% | 0 of 2 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Marcin Tybura | 3 of 5 | 60% | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Serghei Spivac | 0 of 4 | 0% | 0 of 2 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Marcin Tybura | 3 of 5 | 60% | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Marcin Tybura because he already won the first fight and has good takedown defense (only taken down once in six years). He notes that Spivac hasn't evolved much and had a sloppy fight against Oleinik. However, he cautions that Tybura is 38 and Spivac is 9 years younger, and heavyweights are unpredictable. He likely won't bet on this fight.
Cody agrees with Paul, favoring Tybura due to his cardio, striking, wrestling, and experience. He points out that Spivac's skill set hasn't evolved, his grappling isn't high-level, and he struggles when he can't take down opponents. Cody believes Tybura's ability to persevere and land better shots in later rounds gives him the edge.
Tybura is the better overall fighter with superior striking, cardio, and experience. He won the first fight and has only lost to top-tier heavyweights since. Spivac's improvements may not be enough to overcome Tybura's well-rounded game. The fight likely goes to the scorecards, making Tybura by decision a solid play at plus money.
Paul favors Tybura because he won the previous matchup and still holds advantages in striking, wrestling, cardio, and experience. He notes Spivac hasn't evolved much, has robotic striking, poor cardio, and relies on wrestling which Tybura can neutralize. Paul sees Tybura as a durable journeyman who can grind out a win in a five-round fight.
The MMA Guru picks Marcin Tybura, citing his win in their first fight and his improved takedown defense. He notes Tybura's cardio advantage in a five-round fight and his ability to win later rounds, as seen against Blaydes and Romanov. He criticizes Spivac's lack of improvement and finishing ability, pointing out that Spivac landed no significant strikes against Tom Aspinall.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marcin Tybura | 0 | 15 of 24 | 62% | 18 of 27 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Tai Tuivasa | 0 | 27 of 41 | 65% | 73 of 96 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 1 | 0 | 2:48 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marcin Tybura | 0 | 15 of 24 | 62% | 18 of 27 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Tai Tuivasa | 0 | 27 of 41 | 65% | 73 of 96 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 1 | 0 | 2:48 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marcin Tybura | 15 of 24 | 62% | 9 of 17 | 1 of 2 | 5 of 5 | 8 of 17 | 7 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
| Tai Tuivasa | 27 of 41 | 65% | 23 of 34 | 4 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 20 | 0 of 0 | 19 of 21 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marcin Tybura | 15 of 24 | 62% | 9 of 17 | 1 of 2 | 5 of 5 | 8 of 17 | 7 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
| Tai Tuivasa | 27 of 41 | 65% | 23 of 34 | 4 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 20 | 0 of 0 | 19 of 21 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Tuivasa (-122), Tybura (+105)
Round 1
Heavyweights put meat back on the menu for the marquee matchup. Likely having to cut down in weight to reach 266 pounds, Tuivasa (14-6, 8-6 UFC) is ready to let his heavy hands fly. Tybura (24-8, 11-7 UFC), who will be almost 20 pounds lighter officially—not counting whatever Tuivasa weight lost to get there—would prefer not to be on the receiving end of those fists. Although it is always possible that this could go 25 minutes, referee Herb Dean is ready for this to be done sooner than later. He brings them together, and they bump gloves before trying to take the other’s head off. Tuivasa sticks out a jab, and Tybura releases a body kick and a right hand in response. Tuivasa aims a body kick and connects with a few right hands, and Tybura closes in and gets clacked with several elbows on the forehead. The elbows slide Tybura’s head open on several places, causing blood to flow fast. Tybura looks to his hand to see the blood, and Tuivasa starts letting go with heavy leg kicks Tybura lumbers forward, walking through strikes to shoot in for a double. Tybura clasps his hands, and when Tuivasa punches him on the side of the head, he lifts the Aussie up and slams him down to the ground. “Tybur” lands in half guard and starts driving down right hands, and he lets Tuivasa turn to his knees so he can take the back. Tybura gets both hooks in and starts raining down right hands on the side of the head. As he continues to pound on “Bam Bam,” Tuivasa lowers himself down and does not seem otherwise worse for wear. Tuivasa turns to his side and tries to defend the sledgehammers with one hand. Tybura keeps heavy and allows Tuivasa to turn over so he can keep bludgeoning the Aussie. Tybura softens his man up before locking down a rear-naked choke, and he secures it under the chin. Tuivasa fights the grip and kicks with his legs to tough out the choke, and he tries to slowly slide his jaw down to escape choke danger. Tybura does not release the grip even when he hears Tuivasa gasping for air and clinging to consciousness, but he knows the finish is right around the corner. The Polish heavyweight retains his grip, and as he presses down with his full weight from behind, he puts Tuivasa all the way out. Tuivasa goes out on his shield, his arm flopping to the side, and Dean recognizes this immediately and halts the fight. This is a massive win for Tybura, even with Tuivasa skidding, as he lands the first submission in his UFC career, doing so under bright lights. With that technical submission—not the first of the night, making this card somewhat unusual—in the books, this show comes to a close. The Apex will play host again next week to another event before taking to the road, and we will be here for it. We hope you are too.
The Official Result
Marcin Tybura def. Tai Tuivasa R1 4:08 via Technical Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)
Angelo notes that Tuivasa's chin is gone after three consecutive knockout losses to elite heavyweights, and his takedown defense is only 54%. Tybura is a durable grinder who uses strikes to set up takedowns and will pound on opponents once on top. He thinks Tybura can rush Tuivasa against the cage and grind through takedowns. He is watching the line movement, hoping to get Tybura at +120 or +130 as the fan favorite gets action.
Big Brady picks Tai Tuivasa to win by first-round knockout. He believes Tuivasa's power and striking advantage will be too much for Tybura, who lacks power and has been knocked out before. He notes the risk if the fight goes long and Tybura gets on top, but expects Tuivasa to land first.
Cody leans toward Tai Tuivasa, citing his early explosiveness and power as likely too much for Tybura, who has been knocked out quickly in recent fights. He notes Tybura's wrestling threat but believes Tuivasa can stuff early takedowns and land a knockout before the fight gets deep. He acknowledges the line is even money and both have a chance, but Tuivasa's youth and power give him the edge.
Lucrative James is torn on this fight. He acknowledges that stylistically Tai Tuivasa could knock out Tybura, but he is concerned about Tuivasa's mental state, recent three-fight losing streak, and a knee injury three months prior. He also notes Tybura's reliability and grinding style, comparing it to the Blaydes fight. He ultimately decides he likely won't bet on this fight but might play Tuivasa KO in round 1 or 2 or Tybura by decision.
The host notes Tuivasa is on a losing streak and heavily reliant on knockout power, but when facing cleaner, crisper opponents he often comes up short. He expects Tybura to have a cleaner all-around game, roughing up Tuivasa in the clinch, dragging him to the floor, and possibly opening up a submission. He acknowledges Tuivasa's power but believes Tybura can avoid it due to Tuivasa's telegraphing. He compares Tybura's ability to take big shots from past opponents and still win, predicting Tybura dictates the fight and grinds out a decision or an arm triangle choke.
Paul also picks Tai Tuivasa by knockout, agreeing with Cody that Tybura's wrestling is not likely to be effective early when Tuivasa is fresh. He notes that Tybura will have to eat shots to close distance and that the small cage helps Tuivasa. He acknowledges the unpredictability of heavyweights but sees this as a decent matchup for Tuivasa to get back on track.
The Guru picks Tai Tuivasa by TKO in round one or two. He believes Tuivasa's calf kicks will be effective against Tybura, who lacks the low kick defense of Volkov. He notes Tuivasa's ability to get back up from takedowns and his power punching, especially uppercuts and hooks. He thinks Tybura is hittable and Tuivasa will find his chin, as he did against Ciryl Gane.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tom Aspinall | 1 | 13 of 18 | 72% | 13 of 18 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:05 |
| Marcin Tybura | 0 | 4 of 15 | 26% | 4 of 15 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tom Aspinall | 1 | 13 of 18 | 72% | 13 of 18 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:05 |
| Marcin Tybura | 0 | 4 of 15 | 26% | 4 of 15 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tom Aspinall | 13 of 18 | 72% | 12 of 17 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 8 |
| Marcin Tybura | 4 of 15 | 26% | 2 of 13 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tom Aspinall | 13 of 18 | 72% | 12 of 17 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 8 |
| Marcin Tybura | 4 of 15 | 26% | 2 of 13 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo is all-in on Tom Aspinall, believing he should dominate anywhere the fight goes. He acknowledges the knee injury concern but thinks Aspinall's speed, power, and BJJ are superior. He calls Aspinall the most confident pick on the card and suggests him as a parlay piece with Molly McCann.
Big Brady picks Tom Aspinall to win by first-round knockout. He calls it a setup fight for Aspinall after his injury. He notes Tybura has been knocked out by Derrick Lewis and others, and questions his chin. He thinks Aspinall's speed and power will be too much, and Tybura's only path is to take Aspinall down or outlast him, which he doubts. He mentions Tybura looked skinny at the face-off.
Cody acknowledges Aspinall is likely to win but sees value on Tybura at +380 due to Aspinall's knee injury and heavyweight volatility. He took a very small bet on Tybura, fully expecting to lose, but thinks the price is too high on Aspinall. He mentions that historically, plus money heavyweights have value.
Daniel picks Tom Aspinall to win, citing his speed, technical striking, and well-rounded game including takedowns and submissions. He notes that Aspinall represents the new wave of heavyweights and has a significant speed advantage over Tybura. However, he is concerned about the price at -475, calling it a 'sucker bet' and stating he lines Aspinall closer to -400. He also mentions the risk of freak injury given Aspinall's recent surgery. Despite the pick, he passes on betting due to poor value.
James picks Tom Aspinall to win by finish in round two. He acknowledges Aspinall's cardio is an unknown but notes that the only evidence of a cardio issue was the Arlovski fight where Aspinall seemed to have an adrenaline dump but still finished. He believes Aspinall is better than Tybura everywhere and that Tybura's only advantages are experience and potential cardio. James thinks Aspinall will be smarter this time and not steamroll in round one, but will get the finish in round two. He mentions that Tybura at +350 is the value side but he still favors Aspinall.
The host picks Tom Aspinall, citing his speed, power, and ability to finish. He notes Tybura has been hurt early in fights before but that Aspinall is a better finisher than those opponents. He predicts a first-round stoppage and suggests targeting under 1.5 rounds.
Paul picks Aspinall but notes the price is too high to bet straight. He suggests live betting Tybura after the first round if Aspinall gasses. He highlights Aspinall's speed, power, and BJJ, but also his cardio concerns and the knee injury. He would hedge if Aspinall is on a parlay.
The MMA Guru picks Tom Aspinall, calling it a logical pick. He criticizes Marcin Tybura's age and conditioning, and notes Tybura has no submission wins in the UFC. The Guru believes Aspinall has a massive advantage on the feet and on the ground, and predicts a finish in the first round, either by TKO or takedown. He also mentions Aspinall's year off and vengeance after surgery.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marcin Tybura | 0 | 40 of 103 | 38% | 61 of 133 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 4:55 |
| Blagoy Ivanov | 0 | 34 of 113 | 30% | 34 of 113 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marcin Tybura | 0 | 22 of 45 | 48% | 22 of 45 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Blagoy Ivanov | 0 | 12 of 41 | 29% | 12 of 41 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Marcin Tybura | 0 | 17 of 57 | 29% | 17 of 57 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Blagoy Ivanov | 0 | 22 of 72 | 30% | 22 of 72 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Marcin Tybura | 0 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 22 of 31 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 4:55 |
| Blagoy Ivanov | 0 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marcin Tybura | 40 of 103 | 38% | 12 of 70 | 19 of 24 | 9 of 9 | 39 of 102 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
| Blagoy Ivanov | 34 of 113 | 30% | 24 of 98 | 10 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 34 of 112 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marcin Tybura | 22 of 45 | 48% | 5 of 26 | 10 of 12 | 7 of 7 | 22 of 45 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Blagoy Ivanov | 12 of 41 | 29% | 8 of 35 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 12 of 40 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Marcin Tybura | 17 of 57 | 29% | 7 of 44 | 9 of 12 | 1 of 1 | 17 of 57 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Blagoy Ivanov | 22 of 72 | 30% | 16 of 63 | 6 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 22 of 72 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Marcin Tybura | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
| Blagoy Ivanov | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Big Brady calls this a messy fight and expects it to go to a greasy decision. He picks the underdog Ivanov because he is more durable and has never been finished, while Tybura has been finished multiple times. He is not confident and advises against betting.
Cody picks Ivanov at plus money, calling it a close heavyweight fight. He believes Ivanov has a slight edge in technical boxing and volume. He notes both fighters are low-volume and durable, expecting a decision. He took Ivanov at +130 and thinks the fight is essentially 50-50, so he takes the underdog.
Connor picks Marcin Tybura, expecting a split decision. He notes that Tybura is more proactive with kicks and combinations, and will likely be the one initiating clinch exchanges. However, he acknowledges Ivanov's durability and defensive wrestling, which could make the fight ugly. Connor is confident it will be a split decision but leans Tybura due to higher output.
Paul picks Tybura, arguing that Ivanov has looked slow and predictable in recent fights. He notes Ivanov's poor cardio and lack of takedown attempts, while Tybura has good cardio and mobility for a heavyweight. He expects Tybura to outwork Ivanov, especially in the later rounds. He also likes the under on Tybura 1.5 takedowns on PrizePicks.
Zane picks Marcin Tybura, agreeing that it will be a split decision. He notes that Tybura has better tools at range and is more likely to control the clinch. However, he warns that Ivanov's power and chin could cause an upset if Tybura gets hurt. Zane sees Tybura's improved composure as a key factor.
Expert Picks (8)
Angelo is all-in on Tom Aspinall, believing he should dominate anywhere the fight goes. He acknowledges the knee injury concern but thinks Aspinall's speed, power, and BJJ are superior. He calls Aspinall the most confident pick on the card and suggests him as a parlay piece with Molly McCann.
Big Brady picks Tom Aspinall to win by first-round knockout. He calls it a setup fight for Aspinall after his injury. He notes Tybura has been knocked out by Derrick Lewis and others, and questions his chin. He thinks Aspinall's speed and power will be too much, and Tybura's only path is to take Aspinall down or outlast him, which he doubts. He mentions Tybura looked skinny at the face-off.
Cody acknowledges Aspinall is likely to win but sees value on Tybura at +380 due to Aspinall's knee injury and heavyweight volatility. He took a very small bet on Tybura, fully expecting to lose, but thinks the price is too high on Aspinall. He mentions that historically, plus money heavyweights have value.
Daniel picks Tom Aspinall to win, citing his speed, technical striking, and well-rounded game including takedowns and submissions. He notes that Aspinall represents the new wave of heavyweights and has a significant speed advantage over Tybura. However, he is concerned about the price at -475, calling it a 'sucker bet' and stating he lines Aspinall closer to -400. He also mentions the risk of freak injury given Aspinall's recent surgery. Despite the pick, he passes on betting due to poor value.
James picks Tom Aspinall to win by finish in round two. He acknowledges Aspinall's cardio is an unknown but notes that the only evidence of a cardio issue was the Arlovski fight where Aspinall seemed to have an adrenaline dump but still finished. He believes Aspinall is better than Tybura everywhere and that Tybura's only advantages are experience and potential cardio. James thinks Aspinall will be smarter this time and not steamroll in round one, but will get the finish in round two. He mentions that Tybura at +350 is the value side but he still favors Aspinall.
The host picks Tom Aspinall, citing his speed, power, and ability to finish. He notes Tybura has been hurt early in fights before but that Aspinall is a better finisher than those opponents. He predicts a first-round stoppage and suggests targeting under 1.5 rounds.
Paul picks Aspinall but notes the price is too high to bet straight. He suggests live betting Tybura after the first round if Aspinall gasses. He highlights Aspinall's speed, power, and BJJ, but also his cardio concerns and the knee injury. He would hedge if Aspinall is on a parlay.
The MMA Guru picks Tom Aspinall, calling it a logical pick. He criticizes Marcin Tybura's age and conditioning, and notes Tybura has no submission wins in the UFC. The Guru believes Aspinall has a massive advantage on the feet and on the ground, and predicts a finish in the first round, either by TKO or takedown. He also mentions Aspinall's year off and vengeance after surgery.
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!