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The British heavyweight ran roughshod over Alexander Volkov in a way that few ever have, winning via first-round submission in Saturday’s headliner at the O2 Arena. The former Bellator MMA and M-1 Global champion was never competitive against Aspinall, which results in the Team Kaobon product joining the heavyweight Top 10 for the first time at No. 7 on the back of a five-bout finishing streak in the Octagon. Volkov, meanwhile, falls one spot to eighth in defeat.
Arnold Allen had a similar type of breakout showing at 145 pounds in the co-main event, as he overwhelmed former lightweight contender Dan Hooker en route to a first-round technical knockout victory. The Englishman known as “Almighty” extended his winning streak to nine, but in a crowded featherweight poll, he simply treads water at No. 10.
Elsewhere, Paul Craig continues to defy logic with his run at light heavyweight. The Scottish submission specialist was nearly pounded senseless by Nikita Krylov before rallying to seemingly secure a tapout from nowhere with a deft triangle choke in the opening stanza to improve to 5-0-1 in his last six Octagon appearances. That showing allows “Bearjew” to leapfrog Anthony Smith to No. 12 in the divisional rankings at 205 pounds.
Note: Previous rankings listed in brackets.
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