Tom Aspinall is all set to lock horns with Marcin Tybura in a heavyweight clash in the UFC Fight Night in London. The fight will mark his comeback after his injury that kept him away from the octagon for a year.
The English fighter Aspinall last featured in a fight in July, last year against Curtis Blaydes at UFC Fight Night 208 in O2 Arena. Unbeaten in UFC before this contest, the 30-year-old got himself injured just seconds after the fight began.
Aspinall attempted a strong kick toward his opponent Tybura and instantly fell on the floor. The fight was stopped immediately and the American was declared the winner by a technical knock-out. According to a BBC, the heavyweight fighter had torn his medial collateral ligament (MCL). Additionally, his meniscus and his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) also sustained damage.
Devastated by this loss, Aspinall looked full of agony when lying on the floor after the fight had been stopped.
Tom Aspinall himself had revealed that he had injury issues even before the fight with Blaydes. The fighter added that he was essentially playing with only one leg and still won all his fights.
Tom Aspinall feels ‘desperate’ after a knee injury put him out for a year
The English heavyweight was out of the action for a year after suffering a knee injury. Aspinall expressed the frustration that he felt when he was in the process of his recovery. The nasty injury required him to get surgery and physical therapy. He further added that the injury has made him a different fighter as he is much more focused now.
He also expressed his love for the octagon and how much he missed it while he was forced to stay away from it. Aspinall told TNT Sports that he now realizes the fact that he was always meant to achieve greatness and it is this thought that he takes with him every time he goes to train.
“I had no idea how much I am desperate for greatness until it was almost taken away from me. Now I wake up every morning and I can’t wait to go to the gym and train.” Tom Aspinall said.
However, now things are changed as the No. 5 UFC heavyweight fighter is all fit and fine. The best part is that he is set to return at the O2 Arena. It is the same place where his last fight took place.
His opponent Marcin Tybura will also hope to continue his winning streak. It will be interesting to see which one of them gets the better of their opponent in the main event of UFC London this weekend. What are your thoughts on this?