![Tom Aspinall (left) will defend his interim heavyweight strap against Curtis Blaydes (right) at UFC 304. [Image courtesy @ufc and @razorblaydes265 on Instagram]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/07/418b2-17220824912784-1920.jpg)
![Tom Aspinall (left) will defend his interim heavyweight strap against Curtis Blaydes (right) at UFC 304. [Image courtesy @ufc and @razorblaydes265 on Instagram]](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http%3A//www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20xmlns%3Axlink='http%3A//www.w3.org/1999/xlink'%20viewBox='0%200%2010%206.25'%3E%3Cfilter%20id='b'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20color-interpolation-filters='sRGB'%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20stdDeviation='.5'%3E%3C/feGaussianBlur%3E%3CfeComponentTransfer%3E%3CfeFuncA%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20type='discrete'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20tableValues='1%201'%3E%3C/feFuncA%3E%3C/feComponentTransfer%3E%3C/filter%3E%3Cimage%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20filter='url(%23b)'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The co-main event of UFC 304 features an interim heavyweight title clash between Tom Aspinall and the No.4 ranked Curtis Blaydes.
Aspinall's (14-3) career has reached new heights since recovering from a leg injury he suffered during his first meeting with 'Razor' at UFC Fight Night 208.
An impressive KO over Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 295 fetched him an interim strap, However, the postponement of the heavyweight title clash between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic has rendered him unable to lock in a unification bout.
That's where this rematch comes in. Dana White has confirmed that the winner of Aspinall vs. Blaydes will face the winner of Jones vs. Stipe for the undisputed heavyweight gold, an opportunity 'Razor' hopes to steal from the Englishman.
Blaydes (18-4) has been one of the top contenders at 265 pounds for a good few years. However, setbacks during crucial bouts have kept him out of UFC title fights. A win against Aspinall could be the perfect redemption arch for the American.
He is 4-1 in his last five and most recently claimed a second-round KO over dangerous up-and-comer Jailton Almeida at UFC 299.
While 'Razor' is one of the most prolific grapplers in the division he has shown vulnerability against power punchers like Francis Ngannou and Derrick Lewis in the past.
Will Aspinall's heavy hands prove to be Blaydes' kryptonite, or will a proficient ground aid him against the 'Honey Badger'?
According to the UFC's official website, Aspinall is a -355 favorite for the event, with Blaydes as a +280 underdog.
The main card of UFC 304 is now underway. Stick with Sportskeeda for live coverage and play-by-play updates from UFC 304.
Watch the final face-off between Tom Aspinall and Curtis Blaydes below:
UFC 304: Tom Aspinall vs. Curtis Blaydes
Round 1
Blaydes lands an early right hand. After a flurry, the Englishman ties up his opponent. 'Razor' lands a crisp one-two on the interim champion. Wow!!! Aspinall answers with a jab followed by a crushing left hand, sending Blaydes crashing down to the canvas. A few more follow-up strikes and the Referee stops the fight.
Aspinall is still the interim heavyweight champion.
Official Result: Tom Aspinall def. Curtis Blaydes via KO. (1:00 of Round 1)
Watch Tom Aspinall celebrate his win below:
