In a momentous UFC 295 event held at Madison Square Garden, Alex Pereira’s relentless display of elbows secured him the vacant UFC light heavyweight championship, while Tom Aspinall etched his name in history as the first British heavyweight to claim gold in UFC’s title fights.

Aspinall electrified the packed arena by delivering a stunning knockout against Sergei Pavlovich in the first round, seizing the interim heavyweight championship. Notably, former President Donald Trump was among the enthusiastic spectators witnessing the historic feat. Follow your favourite MMA star with attractive betting odds from Nextbet, one of the best MMA betting sites.

The unexpected interim title fight arose after Jon Jones versus Stipe Miocic, originally scheduled as the main event, was canceled due to Jones’ injury. Aspinall’s victory now positions him as the interim champion while UFC awaits Jones’ return.

Reflecting on his whirlwind journey, Aspinall expressed, “It’s been a crazy 2 1/2 weeks,” following his emotional win that lasted a mere 69 seconds, marking his 11th career knockout victory. Overwhelmed with emotion, he collapsed in tears post-fight.

Acknowledging the challenge posed by Pavlovich, Aspinall confessed, “He’s a big, scary guy… But I’ve got a lot of power, too, and I believe in myself.”

In the night’s main event, Alex Pereira secured his second UFC championship, dominating Jirí Procházka with a barrage of strikes that led to a stoppage at 4:08 of the second round. Pereira’s victory earned him the distinction of becoming the ninth fighter in UFC history to claim titles in two weight classes.

The event wasn’t short of star-studded appearances, with former President Donald Trump and musician Kid Rock receiving cheers and patriotic chants as they made their way to their ringside seats. UFC President Dana White accompanied them, adding to the buzz surrounding the event.

Additionally, former UFC 115-pound champion Jéssica Andrade showcased her prowess with a TKO win over MacKenzie Dern, setting a record by securing four knockdowns in a single fight and tying Amanda Nunes for most wins in UFC women’s history.

Despite the absence of the highly anticipated Jones vs. Miocic clash, the electrifying atmosphere, a packed arena of 19,039 fans, and a whopping $12.4 million gate at Madison Square Garden added to the celebration. This event not only marked a historic night for UFC but also coincided with the company’s 30-year milestone since its debut show, UFC 1.

Among the notable victories and monumental achievements, UFC continues to solidify its position as the global leader in Mixed Martial Arts, blending thrilling fights with compelling stories of perseverance and triumph. Get the latest updates from the world of MMA only on Nextbet Sports.