Chael Sonnen not too long ago lauded Tom Aspinall’s formidable punching energy, boldly asserting that the Brit possesses the knockout potential to take down heavyweight boxers towards whom even the legendary Mike Tyson struggled.
Aspinall triumphantly retained his interim heavyweight title with a surprising 60-second knockout of his former foe, Curtis Blaydes, avenging his solely loss within the Octagon within the co-main occasion of UFC 304 this previous Saturday in Manchester.
The 31-year-old Salford native delivered a robust proper hand that despatched “Razor” crashing to the ground, then topped it off with a relentless barrage of punches to the top, prompting referee Marc Goddard to cease the battle.
Since getting back from harm in July 2023, Aspinall has been unstoppable, securing three first-round knockout victories. He has now gained seven of his UFC fights by first-round stoppage, boasting a mean battle time of simply 2:02—the shortest within the promotion’s historical past.
Sonnen Surprised by Aspinall’s Devastating Punching Energy
Throughout a current video on his YouTube channel, Sonnen weighed in on Aspinall’s victory over Blaydes at UFC 304. “The Unhealthy Man” famous that whereas it could not have been the Englishman’s most interesting efficiency within the Octagon, his unimaginable knockout energy nonetheless managed to shift the momentum decisively in his favor.
“I’m watching Tom, shocked by himself that it wasn’t an ideal battle by Tom,” Sonnen stated. “Curtis was truly basically doing a little issues a bit bit higher than Tom. And one factor about Tom is these boys he’s placing down, these are the large heavyweights, and I’m speaking about dimension. I’m speaking about truly getting on the size and what they tip the size at.”
Sonnen went on to say that Aspinall’s punching energy is so formidable that he may knock out large heavyweights – one thing even “Iron Mike” Tyson had bother with.
“Mike Tyson had a tough time placing down the heavyweights that have been 240, 250, 260 [pounds]. These are the blokes that Tom is touching one time; that is surprising energy. Tom is getting guys out of right here so rapidly. I don’t love the truth that in three years, Tom has been within the ring for about three minutes, however the different aspect of it’s, what are you going to do? How are you going to cease him?”
After his win, Aspinall renewed his name for a unification bout with Jon Jones, who claimed the vacant UFC heavyweight title by defeating Ciryl Gane in March 2023 at UFC 285.
“Bones” is predicted to defend his title for the primary time later this yr towards Stipe Miocic, a matchup that UFC CEO Dana White is adamant about making a actuality.