Tom Aspinall admits he ‘can’t pick out any weak points’ in UFC 295 rival Sergei Pavlovich because Russian just ‘STEAMROLLS people’, as Brit prepares for shot at interim heavyweight title
- Tom Aspinall accepted a late notice clash with Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 295
- British heavyweight believes Russian is ‘the most dangerous fighter in the UFC’
- Listen to Mail Sport’s new boxing podcast THE HOOK – with exclusive interviews
Tom Aspinall has admitted there is very little specific preparation he can make for UFC 295 opponent Sergei Pavlovich, simply because the Russian has been running through his rivals.
The Brit, who believes Pavlovich is the most dangerous fighter in the UFC, accepted the bout on just two-and-a-half weeks notice.
And on the first episode of UFC Embedded, the cameras following him in his gym as he spoke about the challenge ahead.
‘I’ve said all along that I think Pavlovich is the most dangerous man in the UFC. You can’t even look at his fights because they’ve been so quick and say, “this is where he’s bad”, because he’s just steamrolling people.
‘I can’t really pick out any weak points at the moment. I’ve got the shortest fight time average in the UFC, he’s got the second shortest fight time average in the UFC, that’s an absolutely insane stat! Someone is getting finished, it is inevitable, goes without saying.’
Tom Aspinall (right), pictured here training in Wigan, is preparing for UFC 295
Aspinall admitted that Sergei Pavlovich is the most dangerous fighter in the UFC
https://youtube.com/watch?v=ajoKxKnyDrs%3Frel%3D0
Pavlovich lost against Alistair Overeem on his UFC debut but since then has been on the rampage.
He’s won his last six encounters, all by knockout and all in the very first round.
But the Russian has not fought anyone of the well-rounded quality of Aspinall before.
The Wigan native obliterated Marcin Tybura at UFC London earlier this year, coming back from the knee injury he suffered just 13 seconds into his medical defeat against Curtis Blaydes.
Aspinall’s recovery taught him about his own training limits and he revealed that there’s an unusual technique to help his knee.
‘I’m walking backwards because it helps the knees apparently. An hour backwards walking a week keeps the old knee pain away, and it does, it actually feels good.
‘I’m a way better athlete now than I was before I injured my knee.
‘My body is so in tune now, knowing when to put my foot on the gas and when to take it off. Before I was red lining constantly. I feel way better now.’
Tom Aspinall (left) has agreed to fight Russian heavyweight Sergei Pavlovich (R) at UFC 295
Aspinall is a marginal favourite with the bookmakers but, as ever, with elite heavyweights in the UFC it can be difficult to predict what will happen.
It will be fascinating to see if the British star tests himself on the feet or opts to use his brilliant ground game.
Perhaps it would be wise for him to attempt to take the Russian down but if he were to score a knockout, it would be a major statement in addition to claiming UFC gold.
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