In the Clinch: Aspinall Looks to Enjoy Bout With Volkov, UFC Fight Night 204 – After a weary trip from Moscow, Alexander Volkov made it to England and says he’s ready to go for UFC London on Saturday.
Despite contracting COVID a second time about a month ago, the No. 6 Volkov (34-9-0), 33, looked pretty good talking to reporters on media day. As with many fans, he wants to see if the up-and-coming hometown hero No. 11 Tom Aspinall (11-2-0), 28, can bring the fight to him like he has in his last four fights.
Volkov seems confident his experience advantage will help him overcome the younger Aspinall and the hometown crowd. The media did not ask Volkov directly about the situation with Russia and the Ukraine. The closest Volkov said about it was that he hoped the judges are professional on Saturday and that he knows he is the “heel” in the fight, which he doesn’t mind because “it’s good for business.”
But I wonder if dealing with COVID and the extended travelling have taken some of the starch out of Volkov.
Meanwhile, Aspinall has finished his last four fights, but “Drago” will be his highest profile fight yet. He’s fighting a guy that’s two inches taller than his impressive 6’5” frame that knows how to use it. But he said to reporters that his only focus is enjoying himself in the octagon on Saturday night.
I guess we can rule out David Bowie and Queen’s “Under Pressure” as Aspinall’s walkout song.
In the past, we’ve seen Volkov willing to deviate from his striking and take people down. We’ve also seen Aspinall do the same thing with Andre Arlovski. I do think Aspinall’s priority will be looking to land the big shots and get Volkov out of there as quickly as he can.
The advantage must go to Alexander Volkov on paper, but a streaking Tom Aspinall – who has never gone the distance – will have an entire nation in his corner.
Let’s see how Michael Bisping calls this one.
In the Clinch: Aspinall Looks to Enjoy Bout With Volkov, UFC Fight Night 204 – More Resources
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Tom Aspinall
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In the Clinch: Aspinall Looks to Enjoy Bout With Volkov, UFC Fight Night 204
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