The Ultimate Fighting Championship has a new heavyweight contender on its hands.
Tom Aspinall submitted former Bellator MMA and M-1 Global champion Alexander Volkov with a straight armlock in the first round of their UFC Fight Night 204 headliner on Saturday at the O2 Arena in London. Volkov (34-10, 8-4 UFC) conceded defeat 3:45 into Round 1, as he was submitted for the first time in nearly 12 years.
The 28-year-old Aspinall (12-2, 5-0 UFC) was flawless on the big stage. He tore into Volkov with a three-punch combination, executed a takedown and drew blood with a series of elbows to the head.