Curtis Blaydes vs. Tom Aspinall slated for UFC London main event on July 23

Curtis Blaydes will travel to hostile territory in attempt to derail Tom Aspinall’s surge up the heavyweight rankings.

Blaydes (16-3 MMA, 11-3 UFC) vs. Aspinall (12-2 MMA, 5-0 UFC) is on tap to headline UFC Fight Night in London on July 23. The event takes place at The 02 but does not have broadcast plans announced.

MMA Junkie verified with multiple people close to the situation that both fighters have verbally agreed to the five-round bout. The people requested anonymity because the promotion has yet to make an official announcement. MMA journalist Ariel Helwani was first to share UFC’s plan for the matchup.

Blaydes, No. 6 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie heavyweight rankings, is coming off arguably the best performance of his octagon tenure as the record-holder for most takedowns in divisional history stopped Chris Daukaus by TKO at UFC on ESPN 33 without taking the fight to the ground at all. The 31-year-old has won six of his past seven overall, with his lone blemish being a stunning knockout loss to Derrick Lewis in February 2021.

“Razor” will attempt to send the British fans home angry when he goes to No. 7-ranked Aspinall’s backyard. Aspinall will get his second consecutive headliner in London after he submitted Alexander Volkov in the first round at UFC Fight Night 204 in March. The 31-year-old has finished all 12 of his career victories to date, including five consecutive wins to begin his UFC career.

The latest UFC Fight Night London lineup includes:

• Curtis Blaydes vs. Tom Aspinall
• Alexander Gustafsson vs. Nikita Krylov
• Charles Johnson vs. Muhammad Mokaev