Aspinall v Blaydes predictions and UFC Fight Night London betting tips

Free UFC betting tips, predictions and analysis for UFC Fight Night London at the O2 Arena on Saturday

Where to watch

BT Sport 1, from 8pm

Best bets

Tom Aspinall to win by KO, TKO, DQ or Submission
6-5 3pts bet365

Paul Craig to win by submission
12-5 2pts Paddy Power

Paddy Pimblett to win in round one
11-4 1.5pts bet365

UFC Fight Night London preview

The UFC returns to London's O2 Arena for the second time in 2022 with heavyweight Tom Aspinall back in the headline slot when he faces Curtis Blaydes.

Aspinall's first-round submission win over Alexander Volkov on March's card in London moved him up to sixth in the division and another victory against fourth-ranked Blaydes will put him on the verge of a title shot.

The Atherton-born 29-year-old is 12-2 in his professional career and has won all five of his contests since joining the UFC.

Incredibly, Aspinall has come through his five fights under the UFC banner in just 14 minutes and 24 seconds, earning four first-round victories and one second-round win.

Blaydes is undoubtedly Aspinall's sternest test to date due to his striking power - he has claimed 11 wins by KO or TKO - but the Englishman is also a formidable striker, boasting nine KO/TKO wins and he holds the edge when it comes to speed and agility.

Aspinall, a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, also has a superior ground game and has the tools to come out on top if this fight ends up on the ground.

Fans' favourite Paddy Pimblett is also back in the octagon, looking to make it three from three since signing for the UFC when he takes on submission specialist Jordan Leavitt at lightweight.

Pimblett is extremely well-rounded and has earned a reputation for getting the business done early, winning each of his last four fights, including both in the UFC, in the first round.

Leavitt's only career loss came via decision but Pimblett should be buoyed by a home crowd once again and looks well placed to secure another early stoppage.

Light heavyweight Paul Craig, ranked number eight, opens the main card against Volkan Oezdemir, ranked ninth, and he'll be looking to lay down an early marker for the British contingent.

The Scot endured a patchy streak between 2017 and 2019, losing four of his six fights, but he's gone back to basics and leaned heavily on his jiu-jitsu skills to get back on track.

Craig enters the octagon on Saturday unbeaten in six, winning five and drawing one, with each of those victories coming inside the distance.

He will be desperate to get this fight down to the ground as he looks to avoid engaging in a stand-up fight with kickboxer Oezdemir and backing a submission win for Craig offers plenty of appeal.

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