Tom Aspinall makes cutting two-word remark after defeating Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 295

It was 'mission accomplished' for Atherton’s Tom Aspinall, who defeated Sergei Pavlovich with an impressive first-round knockout to win the UFC interim heavyweight championship in Madison Square Garden in New York.

Having taken the title fight on just 17 days’ notice, all eyes were on Aspinall when he stepped into the octagon looking to become Britain’s third-ever UFC champion. As he walked out to the fitting ‘Englishman in New York’ by Sting draped in an English flag, Aspinall looked excited and ready to get his chance at making history.

Meanwhile, his opponent Pavlovich looked to be carved from stone as he made his walk to the octagon, showing no emotion whatsoever, adding to the terrifying aura that surrounds the Russian. Once the pair entered the octagon there was nothing but respect with the two embracing as they met in the centre shortly before the fight got underway.

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But, once the referee started the fight, the time for respect was over as there was a UFC title on the line. In the build-up to the fight, there was a lot of discussion around Pavlovich’s power, and that seemed to be displayed early in the first round.

The Russian – who has six first-round knockouts in the UFC – caught Aspinall with a left hook, clearly stunning him and no doubt worrying his supporters across the world. But Aspinall was not deterred and just 30 seconds later hit Pavlovich with two rapid left-right combinations, knocking him out and winning the UFC interim championship.

The Brit immediately collapsed to the canvas in tears and appeared overwhelmed with emotion as UFC president Dana White wrapped