UFC 304's co-main event is a rematch between UFC interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall and challenger Curtis Blaydes. The pair first fought at UFC London in July 2022. The fight ended in just 15 seconds due to a freak injury to Apinall's knee and the win was handed to Blaydes.
Now, more than two years later, they fight again with much higher stakes on the line. The UFC heavyweight champion, Jon Jones is out with an injury and Aspinall is the interim title holder. He will be defending that interim title when he fights Blaydes due to Jones wanting to fight Stipe Miocic upon his return.
Here's what each fighter needs to do in the hope of getting their hand raised on Saturday night.
Tom Aspinall's keys to victory
Go for the knockout
Blaydes is probably going to want to wrestle and Aspinall needs to strike. He needs to look for the knockout early and end the fight in stunning fashion. The longer the fight goes, the bigger the chance of failure.
Pick up the speed
Aspinall already has impressive speed but if he can improve on what he's already great at, he could be unstoppable. He can't give Blaydes any time to react.
Forget about the first fight
Aspinall needs to focus on the right now and not on what happened the last time. It's possible he could have apprehension due to the injury he suffered the last time out but he must push that fear from his mind and march forward.
Curtis Blaydes' keys to victory
Attack the body
We all know Blaydes is going to want to wrestle, and that's fine, but he needs to do work on the ground and get the finish too. Body strikes on the ground could soften up Aspinall and make a ground-and-pound TKO win more viable.
Be faster than Aspinall
One of Aspinall's biggest assets is his hand speed, but while he's landing those effective strikes he leaves himself open for the counter. Blaydes needs to match his speed and react to the strikes to make it a war.
Wrestle
This seems like a no-brainer but Blaydes needs to stick with what he's good at and not worry about the fight being exciting for the fans. This is his chance to be champion and he cannot try to change up his game plan now.
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