UFC London: Tom Aspinall returns in style with stoppage of Marcin Tybura, sets sights on heavyweight champion Jon Jones

Tom Aspinall returned to action following serious injury in stunning style with a first-round stoppage of Marcin Tybura at UFC London.

Aspinall’s career looked in tatters when he suffered a serious knee injury against Curtis Blaydes.

One year on, Aspinall was back in the Octagon - and back with a statement victory.

For a heavyweight, Aspinall is seriously quick and he showed that early on with some excellent striking - with a high kick in the opening seconds demonstrating that the knee problem is a thing of the past.

He had Tybura swinging and missing, and then went to work with a brilliant straight right hand that sent his Polish opponent to the floor.

The end was inevitable, and referee Marc Goddard waved off the fight after one minute and 13 seconds of the opening round.

“It has been a really tough year for me,” Aspinall said. “I was not myself last year.

"This is a whole new version of me. I am not going to say I am back as I am different now. My mind is different, my body is different, and I am going all the way.”

Jon Jones is the heavyweight champion, and Aspinall has a two-fight roadmap to the title.

“I am going to Paris, I am going to be sat front row for Ciryl Gane and Sergey Spivak," he said. "I will beat the winner and then I am going to beat Jon Jones.”

Earlier on the card, Lerone Murphy claimed his 13th win with a unanimous decision over Joshua Culibaoi in their featherweight clash.

Paul Craig’s decision to drop down from light heavyweight to middleweight paid off, as he secured a TKO win over Andre Muniz.

Nathaniel Wood and Andre Fili served up a cracking fight at featherweight, with Wood getting a unanimous decision.

Daniel Marcos maintained his unbeaten record, but he only secured victory over Davey Grant via a split decision in their meeting at bantamweight.

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