BRIT Tom Aspinall is back in the hunt for the UFC heavyweight title following a spectacular comeback victory over Marcin Tybura.
The Atherton assassin returned from a year-long layoff at The O2 on Saturday night against the Polish pounder.
GettyTom Aspinall made his long-awaited octagon return against Marcin Tybura[/caption]
GettyThe Brit locked horns with the Pole nearly a year to the day since suffering a horrific knee injury[/caption]
GettyTeam Kaobon star Aspinall dropped Tybura with a big right hand second after landing a nasty elbow[/caption]
GETTYAspinall didn’t waste the golden opportunity, raining down crushing blow after crushing blow until referee Marc Goddard called a halt to proceedngs[/caption]
Aspinall, 30, suffered agony in the North Greenwich dome last July when he injured his right knee seconds into his showdown with Curtis Blaydes.
But he exorcised the ghost of that career-stalling night with a stunning first-round TKO of UFC veteran Tybura.
Team Kaboan’s heavyweight contender was full emotion after having has hand raised and said: “It’s been a really tough year for me.
“I wasn’t myself last year and this is a whole new version of me.
“I’m not going to say that I’m back because this is a different version of me.
“That seemed like an easy fight but Marcin is a really tough guy.
“Let’s give him a cheer guys because that guy is a really tough human being.”
The soft-spoken insisted he was a ‘different’ animal after returning to win column before vowing: “I’m gonna go all the way.”
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Aspinall was light on his feet after emerging from his usual crouching stance.
And he landed a huge head kick that knocked back Tybura a matter of seconds into the stanza.
Chants of “Tommy Aspinall” quickly began to ring throughout the arena.
But they simmered slightly after Tybura got the better of a heavy exchange with some punishing blows.
That success, however, was short lived as in the next exchange he got wobbled by a nasty right elbow.
He did well not to show the crowd he was hurt, but Aspinall sensed blood and moved in for the kill.
GETTYTom Aspinall was overcome with emotion after his incredible comeback win[/caption]
GettyHe roared with emotion after having his hand raised[/caption]
GETTYTom Aspinall soaked up the cheers as he made a triumphant return to the O2[/caption]
A stinging straight right sent Tybura to the canvas and gave Aspinall a golden opportunity to close the show.
And he showed lightening-fast speed to pounce on the fallen Pole and rain down hellfire to put an emphatic bow on a stunning performance.
Aspinall was overcome with emotion after the stoppage, climbing the cage and putting his head in his hands as he took in his stunning comeback victory.
And he was quick to reveal his plans just minutes after getting back in the heavyweight title mix.
He said: “I’ll tell you exactly what I’m going to do.
“I’m going to Paris and sit front row for Ciryl Gane vs Segei Spivac,
“I’m going to beat the winner and then I’m going to fight Jon Jones.”