With his first interim title defense just around the corner, the UK combat sports community is rallying around Tom Aspinall, with one British boxing icon wishing the MMA star well ahead of UFC 304.
The powerhouse will make his next walk to the cage at UFC 304 inside the 23,500-seater Co-op Live, in Manchester, UK.
Josh Warrington is excited to watch Tom Aspinall at UFC 304
On July 27, Tom Aspinall will collide with Curtis Blaydes in an eagerly-anticipated rematch. In their first encounter, the American walked away with the victory, after his opponent severely injured his right knee, resulting in a long spell of inactivity.
However, rather than letting the injury weigh him down, Aspinall used it as the fuel to his fire, channeling his energy on building back better.
After a comeback win over Marcin Tybura, the Englishman produced the performance of a lifetime to stop Sergei Pavlovich and become the first heavyweight champion in the history of his country.
However, that title has an asterisk on it. With Jon Jones currently holding the undisputed belt, the powerhouse knows he needs to produce a statement performance over Blaydes, in order to goad the all-time great into signing on the dotted line.
And his countryman, 2x featherweight boxing world champion, Josh Warrington, can’t wait to watch ‘The Honey Badger’ return to action, sending the slick heavyweight an uplifting message ahead of his next outing, believing, so long as he stays humble, he has a long run as champion ahead.
In an exclusive interview with Bloody Elbow, he said: “Tom has some great momentum with him at this moment in time. He’s fighting in his hometown in Manchester at the big Co-op arena. It’s going to be quite exciting for him.
“He just has to ride that wave, not get distracted, not get too carried away, and just stay switched on. There’s some very big things to come for him in the future.”
When does Josh Warrington fight next?
Like Aspinall, ‘The Leeds Warrior’ has a major world title fight coming up. On September 21, Warrington will square off against IBF super featherweight champion, Anthony Cacace, on the undercard of Anthony Joshua vs Daniel Dubois, at Wembley Stadium, UK.
Competing at the national football ground will likely bring the best out of the 33-year-old, who is aiming to become a 3x, two-weight world champion, in front of a large traveling contingent from his home city.
However, while the dream is within touching distance, Warrington will have to be at his very best to claim the belt, as his Northern Irish opponent certainly isn’t coming to lie down.
The boxer explained: “Cacace’s tough and got massive size on him. He comes forward and puts that pressure on. He can also box; he’s adaptable.
“I’m expecting a tough fight. I know what I’m in for. But I’ve got the fear factor; it’s making me train harder. I always train hard, but it feels different this one. I’m going to show you on the night.”
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