UFC 295: Knockout wins for new champions Tom Aspinall and Alex Pereira
- Planet Sport writer
- 12 November 2023
British star Tom Aspinall won the UFC interim heavyweight champion after knocking out the dangerous Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 295 at Madison Square Garden.
The 30-year-old - who had just two weeks to get ready - knocked out his Russian opponent in just 69 seconds with a punishing series of blows.
Aspinall, who becomes just the third Briton to become UFC world champion, only got the call-up for the fight on October 25 after defending champion Jon Jones suffered a serious injury and pulled out of his contest against Stipe Miocic.
The Salford fighter said on TNT Sports: "It has been a crazy two and a half weeks.
"I want to tell everyone at home, If you ever get the chance to do something and you're scared to do it, you should just do it.
"He's a scary guy. I've never been so scared in my life but I have power too and I believed in myself.
"I've worked so hard over the years and no one has worked harder than my father so this belt is dedicated to him. I was struggling with the distance a little bit but we got there in the end.”
In the other co-main event, Alex Pereira won the UFC light-heavyweight strap after he knocked out Jiri Prochazka in the second round. Upon replay, it looked as though referee Marc Goddard perhaps called the contest early. However, Prochazka revealed that he was OK with the stoppage.
"In the end, I think it was right," said the Czech.
"I was out. Thanks Alex, I'll be back."
