MMA Preview – Alexander Volkov vs Tom Aspinall at UFC Fight Night 204
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ALEXANDER VOLKOV VS TOM ASPINALL FACTS
When is UFC Fight Night 204? Saturday 19th March, 2022 - 18:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC Fight Night 204? The O2 Arena, London, England
Where can I get tickets for UFC Fight Night 204? Click here for the tickets at the O2 Arena
What channel is UFC Fight Night 204 on? BT Sport 1
Where can I stream UFC Fight Night 204? BT Sport subscribers can stream the fight online via the BT Sport website
For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
ALEXANDER VOLKOV VS TOM ASPINALL LOWDOWN
Alexander Volkov (34-9) steps up to take on Britain’s brightest prospect on enemy turf. He was active last year fighting three times going 2-1. He picked up his most impressive win of his career knocking Alistair Overeem out in the second round which was his second TKO in a row after putting Walt Harris away. However, he then ran into Ciryl Gane who outclassed him on the feet to a unanimous decision but got back in the win column with a unanimous decision over Marcin Tybura back in October.
Tom Aspinall (11-2) is doing his best temper the hype, but the grounded Mancunian will take all the headlines if he repeats his previous UFC performances. He has had four fights now and put every opponent away. He TKO’d Jake Collier (2020) and Alan Baudot (2020) before submitting Andrei Arlovski (2021). He is now coming off the ninth knockout of his career running through Sergey Spivak back in September last year.
ALEXANDER VOLKOV VS TOM ASPINALL PREDICTION
This is Aspinall’s biggest fight by a mile, not just taking on someone of the calibre of Volkov but headlining the first UFC in Britain in three years.
Volkov has a clear advantage when it comes to experience and will be the rangiest fighter Aspinall has fought, but he only has two inches in height and reach. Aspinall has the edge when it comes to grappling especially on the ground as a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu but the key advantage, he has here is his speed.
Aspinall will be prepared for Volkov’s stiff jab at range as well as his powerful leg kicks and will look to leverage his speed to break the distance and counter. Only Ciryl Gane has outclassed Volkov on the feet and we have not seen enough of Aspinall to suggest he can strike at that level for five rounds.
His only question mark is his cardio whereas Volkov has gone past the third round five times. So, we expect Aspinall to call upon his grappling and considering it is a hole in the Russian’s game, he may resort to it in the third round.
Aspinall has the ability and importantly the speed to knock Volkov out which will make his takedown more threatening and if the fight goes to the ground, we back him to wrap up a submission. However, if this goes past the third round, we will back Volkov to finish stronger with better pacing.
Prediction: Aspinall via KO/TKO - CLICK HERE FOR PARIMATCH'S WELCOME OFFER (BET £5, GET £30 IN BONUSES!)
Value Bet: Volkov via Decision
