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UFC world left shattered over 'awful' scenes: 'This is heartbreaking'

Tom Aspinall, pictured here injuring his knee just 15 seconds into his fight with Curtis Blaydes.
Tom Aspinall injured his knee just 15 seconds into his fight with Curtis Blaydes. Image: Getty

The UFC world has been left heartbroken for Tom Aspinall after the British fighter suffered a serious knee injury just 15 seconds into his fight against Curtis Blaudes in London.

The 29-year-old fighter from Manchester, ranked sixth in the division, fell to the mat in agony after his knee gave way during the opening exchanges of the fight at London’s O2 Arena.

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Aspinall suffered the injury to his right knee after kicking Blaydes and stepping back as Blaydes fired a punch at him.

When Aspinall took a step back, something gave in his knee and he cried out in pain.

Referee Herb Dean was forced to stop the fight it at 15 seconds in the first round.

Aspinall had tried to make a typically fast start and landed with an early kick to the fourth-ranked Blaydes’ thigh.

But his knee buckled horribly after planting his foot and he could not continue.

"Such a shame, what a tragedy that is," one commentator said while watching at ring-side.

UFC Hall of Famer Michael Bisping, broadcasting the fight for ESPN, asked a ringside physician what he though the injury may have been.

The doctor told Bisping they suspected an injury to the medial collateral ligament.

Tom Aspinall, pictured here after injuring his knee against Curtis Blaydes at UFC London.
Tom Aspinall looks on after injuring his knee against Curtis Blaydes at UFC London. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) (Julian Finney via Getty Images)

Bisping told BT Sport: “It is awful. I had a quick chat with the doctor and he thinks it‘s the MCL. It’s an extremely agonising injury.

“Tom is a warrior, Curtis is all class and it‘s so sad.

“Injuries happen, it‘s a freak occurrence but it’s sometimes part of the sport.”

The TKO loss was Aspinall’s first defeat since May of 2016.

“It‘s almost like we didn’t even fight,” Blaydes said afterwards.

“I wanted to come here and make a statement. I know a win over him would have shown the world that I‘m ready for a title shot, that I’m legit.

“I wish the injury hadn‘t happened. We never really got an opportunity to showcase our skills.”

UFC world left gutted over 'awful' scenes

MMA reporter Andy Stevenson tweeted: “Just awful for Tom Aspinall. Terrible situation for Blaydes too. Just a s***ty situation.”

Simon Head added: "Oh man. What a terrible end to the night. Tom Aspinall collapses with a knee injury and the fight is waved off in the opening seconds. Looks like either a dislocated kneecap or knee ligament damage."

Just one week ago, Brian Ortega dislocated his shoulder near the end of the first round as he was attempting to defend an arm bar against Yair Rodriguez.

That fight only lasted four minutes, 11 seconds.

with Yahoo Sports and agencies

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