How many Brits have won a UFC title? Tom Aspinall joins elite group after incredible knockout to win interim heavyweight belt

Tom Aspinall became a UFC champion on Saturday night as he beat Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 295 in New York.

The Brit was handed the opportunity to fight for the interim heavyweight title after Jon Jones picked up a horrific injury in training only weeks before the event.

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Aspinall took the chance and his decision to step into the octagon paid off as he knocked out Pavlovich in stunning fashion inside 69 seconds. 

He broke down in tears and lay on the floor as soon as the bout was waved off as the emotions poured out for all to see. 

The 30-year-old has now joined an elite group of British fighters who have managed to get their hands on a title…

How many British fighters have won a UFC title?

Aspinall has become only the third British fighter ever to become a UFC titleholder. 

He achieved the rare feat by winning the interim heavyweight belt at Madison Square Garden.

The fan favourite now sits alongside legend Michael Bisping and welterweight champion Leon Edwards as the only Brits to have held a UFC crown. 

Bisping won the middleweight belt from Luke Rockhold in a thrilling rematch seven years ago, becoming the first fighter from the UK to win a title. 

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Edwards then followed in his countryman’s footsteps to win the welterweight title from Kamaru Usman at UFC 278 in 2022. 

‘Rocky’ has since retained his champion status by beating Usman again earlier this year and he is now set to face Colby Covington in December. 

Bisping was watching on from the side of the octagon as he looked blown away at the knockout while celebrating Aspinall’s win in New York. 

He praised his fellow Brit who admitted his fear and said thank you to his father post-fight, saying: “It’s been a crazy two and a half weeks.

“He’s a big scary guy. I’ve never been as scared in my life as fighting this guy but you know what? I’ve got a lot of power too and I believe in myself. I really believe in myself.”

“This man right here, my father, has worked harder than anybody.

“So, this belt right here is dedicated to my father.”