One minute and nine seconds. That’s all it took for Tom Aspinall to become the UFC interim heavyweight champion. 

The Manchester fighter who trains in Liverpool defeated the Russian Sergei Pavlovich in sensational style to become just the third English UFC champion since hall of fame inductee Michael Bisping and current UFC Welterweight title holder, Leon Edwards.  

Since the sensational victory, fans have touted Aspinall to make history and be the first person since Matt Hamill in 2009 to beat legendary fighter, Jon Jones.

Tyson Fury has been a long-time sparring partner of Aspinall and was aided by the UFC heavyweight in preparation for his boxing bout against former MMA fighter Francis Ngannou.

On Aspinall’s chances of beating Jones, Fury told TNT Sports: “He’s a good fighter, probably could have made it as a pro boxer.

“I was quite sure he would have gone on and won a world championship, but he had a derailment with his knee, and that fell out. Now he’s had his comeback trail. 

“I think he can do it (beat Jones). He’s big enough, he’s got the power, he’s a black belt in jiu-jitsu.” 

Amateur featherweight fighter ‘Smoking’ Joe Seddon agrees with Fury. The 18-year-old has been surrounded by UFC fighters at Team Kaobon since the age of six. Most notably, he has trained alongside Aspinall and other talents such as fellow UFC fighter Muhammed Mokaev.

Seddon told Mersey Sport Live he believes Aspinall has what it takes to beat his idol, Jones: “That’s a tough one because Jon Jones is my greatest of all time,” he said.

“Although I do see Tom beating him. I see him being too quick and finishing Jon Jones in the fourth round via TKO. 

“I’ve known Tom (Aspinall) and (Muhammed) Mokaev since being six years old and they are both genuine, nice and humble people and they both deserve to have the UFC belt around their waist. I’m proud of what they have achieved.” 

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