‘It’s Not The Real Thing’

Tom Aspinall scored the largest win of his profession at UFC 295, dispatching knockout artist Sergei Pavlovich simply previous the one-minute mark to say the interim heavyweight world championship.

Aspinall and Pavlovich stepped into the co-main occasion slot with simply two weeks to organize after undisputed titleholder Jon Jones was forced to withdraw from his scheduled headliner in opposition to consensus heavyweight GOAT Stipe Miocic following a pectoral damage sustained throughout coaching.

Successful his first UFC title, Aspinall was understandably overcome with feelings. Nonetheless, not everybody was within the temper to have fun the large man’s large win, together with former two-division champ Henry Cejudo.

“Watching Tom Aspinall win the interim world title, he’s already celebrating,” Cejudo stated on YouTube. “It’s an interim, Tom! Save these tears for while you really win the actual belt. Generally, after I see individuals like that, they simply get too emotional after an interim belt. Yeah, you bought a trophy, however they may as nicely dip that factor in both silver or bronze as a result of it’s not the actual factor” (h/t MMA News).

Cejudo Implores Tom Aspinall to ‘Save These Tears’ for the actual deal

‘Triple C’ had already levied criticism in opposition to the reserving of the interim title battle, suggesting that the bout was unfit of the honors. He additionally accused the UFC of diluting what it means to be known as a champion.

“As a competitor, I begin to consider their mentalities,” Cejudo continued. “How is it or what’s it that makes them — has he thought that he’s reached the head of the world? I’m not selecting on you, Tom. I’m simply saying to you, save these tears for while you really personal the undisputed title.”

With 5 straight finishes contained in the Octagon, Aspinall gave the impression to be closing in on a UFC title alternative earlier than catastrophe struck 15 seconds into his July 2022 conflict with Curtis Blaydes. Aspinall went down within the opening moments as a consequence of a knee damage that stored him shelved till the next yr.

Returning at UFC London, Aspinall picked up proper the place he left off with a 73-second knockout of Marcin Tybura adopted by the late-notice alternative in opposition to Pavlovich.