UFC 295 LIVE results: Aspinall knocks out Pavlovich before Pereira stops Prochazka
Re-live updates after the vacant light-heavyweight title and interim heavyweight belt were contested at Madison Square Garden
Tom Aspinall claimed the interim UFC heavyweight title on Saturday night, knocking out Sergei Pavlovich in the first round in New York City.
The main event of UFC 295 was due to see Jon Jones defend the heavyweight title against divisional great Stipe Miocic, but that bout was cancelled on two weeks’ notice after Jones suffered an injury in training. With Jones, 36, set to face eight months on the sidelines, the UFC pitted Aspinall against Pavlovich to crown an interim champion, and it was the Briton who triumphed at Madison Square Garden.
Aspinall, who admitted to being “scared” ahead of his fight with the Russian, caught Pavlovich with two clean right hands in the first round, wobbling him with the first and dropping him with the second. The Wigan fighter, 30, followed up with a trio of hammer fists to the downed Pavlovich, sealing the knockout to become the third British champion in UFC history.
Aspinall vs Pavlovich in fact served as the co-main event of UFC 295, while the original co-main event was elevated and saw Alex Pereira beat Jiri Prochazka for the vacant light-heavyweight title.
Pereira, a former middleweight champion, became the ninth two-weight champion in UFC history by securing a TKO in Round 2. The Brazilian dropped his Czech opponent with a left hook before unleashing a series of elbows, before referee Marc Goddard stepped in.
Re-live updates and results from the UFC 295 main card and prelims, below.
UFC 295 LIVE: Jiri Prochazka vs Alex Pereira
“I think in the end, it was right; I was out,” Prochazka says of the stoppage. “But I will never stop.
“S*** happens. For me, it’s a big learning. Let’s work on that and be back stronger than ever.
“Thank you, Alex, for that fight. I’ll be back.”
UFC 295 LIVE: Jiri Prochazka vs Alex Pereira
“Adesanya, come to daddy,” Pereira says, taking aim at his middleweight rival and old kickboxing foe.
Meanwhile, Jamahal Hill is at ringside, calling for a fight with Pereira.
UFC 295 LIVE: Jiri Prochazka vs Alex Pereira
Prochazka was hurt when he was dropped, and he was eating elbows while kneeling and trying to hold Pereira’s legs. He then fell to his back, with Pereira dropping straight into mount...
But even so, the stoppage looks a tad early. As soon as Marc Goddard steps in, Prochazka pops right back to his feet. Hmm.
Take nothing away from Pereira, though; he did his job.
Alex Pereira def. Jiri Prochazka via second-round TKO (punches and elbows, 4:08).
UFC 295 LIVE: Jiri Prochazka vs Alex Pereira
Round 2
A slower start to this round. Strong one-two by Prochazka, using awkward angles as usual. Now a hopping front kick to the body from the Czech.
He continues to mix up his offence, but Pereira comes back with a head kick – which is mainly blocked – and a series of kicks to the body and legs.
Prochazka with a couple of strong hooks and a nice elbow, and he has Pereira in trouble against the fence! He starts to grapple the Brazilian, but that gives Pereira a chance to reset...
The fighters move back into space. Pereira with a short left hook upstairs. Prochazka grabs ahold of him again, holding “Poatan” against the fence.
He tries a throw, but Pereira shakes him off. Now Pereira comes forward. Both men land leg kicks, before Prochazka lands a right hand over the top...
But Pereira comes back with a left hook that drops Prochazka!! Now elbows from Pereira, and it’s all over!!
PEREIRA, TWO-WEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION!
UFC 295 LIVE: Jiri Prochazka vs Alex Pereira
Round 1
Prochazka edges forward early on, switching stances back and forth. Pereira, standing orthodox, kicks low a couple of times.
Nice rear uppercut from Prochazka, but he’s then dropped by a low kick! Another one, and he felt that...
One more. Prochazka comes back with a hook, but he’s stumbled by yet another leg kick. Only two minutes gone...
Good step-in cross by Prochazka, who sees a high kick blocked. Now the Czech goes for a single-leg takedown, backing Pereira up to the fence.
Pereira looks to defend with a guillotine choke, but he can’t quite secure it, and he’s dumped to the mat.
Time for Prochazka to get into this fight. He lands a nice elbow, but Pereira is doing a decent job at limiting his opponent’s offence from half-guard.
More solid elbows, though, by Prochazka. Great work by Pereira to stand, though!
He comes at Prochazka with a right hand late in the round.
UFC 295 LIVE: Jiri Prochazka vs Alex Pereira
After the most intense staredown ever, HERE WE GO!
UFC 295 LIVE: Jiri Prochazka vs Alex Pereira
Now here comes Prochazka, 31, to some very ominous music.
Prochazka, the first ever Czech UFC champion, won the belt from Glover Teixeira in June 2022 before relinquishing the gold later that year due to injury. He has not fought since.
Meanwhile, Blachowicz fought Magomed Ankalaev to a draw in December, with the vacant title on the line, meaning it stayed vacant.
Jamahal Hill then won it against Teixeira in January, before ALSO vacating it due to injury.
So, here we are...
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