UFC 295 LIVE: Jiri Prochazka vs Alex Pereira for the vacant light-heavyweight title headlines in New York, with Tom Aspinall aiming for interim heavyweight gold

Tom Aspinall coming out to ‘Englishman in New York by Sting’ is just an iconic way to make an entrance. Bravo.

Most heavyweights knock their opponents out when they land clean, but Pavlovich is more of a heavy punches in bunches kind of fighter – that kind of onslaught might not work against a snipe like Aspinall. It will be fascinating to see if the Brit tries to take it to the mat.

Right then, Tom Aspinall picked up the phone in the middle of the night two-and-a-half weeks ago, agreeing to face the scariest man in the UFC.

Pavlovich has six first round finishes in a row and he is just an freakishly powerful fighter with defensive wrestling to go with it. This will be the acid test for both men, who have their eyes on UFC heavyweight gold but will have to make do with an interim belt tonight.

You could see this coming a mile off. You commend the toughness from Dern but she was flailing at times and not crisp with her technique. Andrade dropped her multiple times there and she beckoned her back to her feet. Clearly still wobbling, it was easy for the Brazilian to then pick her off. Dern had never been finished. She has now.

Intriguing round and Dern was playing with fire throughout. She was throwing combinations with her chin up in the air, asking for trouble. The American-Brazilian is then clipped towards the end of the round, sent tumbling and only the bell stopped the punishment.

Speaking of Joanna, she’ll be a fascinated onlooker for this one in her old strawweight division. Andrade has genuine KO power, while Dern is an absolute demon on the ground.

One of the great female MMA fighters of all time, Joanna Jedrzejczyk is backing Tom Aspinall to come out on top against Pavlovich tonight. We’re closing in on the co-main event with one fight to go.

What a start to this main card we’ve had. Neither have seen the second round and we’re speeding along nicely.

It is armistice day, I had the honour of serving my country, these are the real warriors. I’m so happy to be here in New York and I’m coming for everybody. I will catch everybody with these hands, Islam Makhachev, watch out.

Benoit Saint-Denis wins by KO in the first! He’s 27 and has only been training MMA for six years but is already incredible. He takes Frevola down, tries to submit him but the American escapes and then secures a takedown of his own. Saint-Denis wriggles out and as Frevola backs away, he is caught by a stunning head kick, stiffening him and sending him to the mat.

Narco by Timmy Trumpet and Blasterjaxx– made popular by Mets pitcher Edwin Diaz is the tune Frevola comes out to. No surprise that the man from Long Island is given a great reception.

This one is another cracker on paper at least. Frevola has massive KO power and can end a fight at any point. He takes on a Frenchman in enemy territory and the visitor has won his last four having dropped his UFC debut.

What do the numbers tell us ahead of tonight’s co-main event. We had a dig around to see where both men might be able to exploit each other’s weaknesses – if there are any…

Dana White signalled money, Lopes is in for a $50k performance bonus for sure.

‘I feel incredible, it has been a dream my whole life to fight at Madison Square Garden, thank you so much.’

• Sabatini starts really well, landing a stinging combo and making up for his lack of reach. But then the fight flips entirely on it’s head. He lands a right over the top, wobbles Sabatini badly and Lopes smells blood, hounding him and landing a barrage of unanswered shots, a bit of a late stoppage but what a performance.

First up on the main card tonight is Diego Lopes vs Pat Sabatini. The UFC always choose their curtain-raisers carefully and they must think this featherweight match-up is going to put on a show. Lopes has looked sensational as a rising star but let’s see how he gets on against a man who’s won five of his last six.

‘The Madison Square Garden crowd erupted following the UFC 295 prelims as former United States president Donald Trump walked to his cage-side seat.The big screen showed Trump in his signature dark blue suit and red tie as UFC president Dana White shook his hand before sitting down.The crowd followed with chants of ‘USA’ before the promo for the UFC’s 30th anniversary event was played.’

Jiri Prochazka is a man on a mission to win back the belt he vacated more than a year ago. It has been a long road back from shoulder surgery and he’ll have to be at his destructive, creative best to beat Pereira tonight.

After a long delay, with an animated Bruce Buffer seen looking animated in discussion over the scorecard, Godinez is given the nod over Tabatha Ricci by the judges. Godinez is now the only woman in UFC history to win four fights in a calendar year.

The Minnesota Twins star is in position nice and early, no doubt there will be plenty of celeb spotting tonight.

It has been a wild ride for the UFC over the last 30 years. Mail Sport’s Dan Matthews took a trip down memory lane on the anniversary, speaking to those involved in UFC 1. It’s a remarkable story.

Three wins from three now in the UFC for the Polish lightweight and he locks in an armbar to get it done against Roosevelt Roberts.

The slow walk, the team in matching green UFC gear, Aspinall looks like a man on a mission tonight.

Sadykhov and Borshchev just fought out a thrilling majority draw.

Our man cageside Leocciano Callao, says: ‘The crowd here absolutely lost it in that fight. Sadykhov landed a headkick that won him round after losing the first. The fans seemed pleased with the draw, a fair result.

A big win for Jared Gordon at the top of the early pre-lims against Mark Madsen. Since losing that controversial decision against Paddy Pimblett, he’s had a no contest and this win, perhaps the rematch with ‘The Baddy’ will happen next year.

Denis Buzukja knocked out Jammall Emmers, while there were decision wins for Joshua Van and John Castaneda also among the early contests.

Who’s fighting, what are the timings you need to know about and which belts are on the line – read the above for all the crucial info.

New York, New York… these Madison Square Garden cards are always the business aren’t they? It should have been Jon Jones vs Stipe Miocic but the UFC are nothing if not adaptable and we have a couple of blockbuster fights heading up the main card later.

Tom Aspinall vs Sergei Pavlovich for interim heavyweight gold is a frankly ridiculous clash of next generation talent. Can the Brit become the third man from his shores to get his hands on a UFC belt?

Alex Pereira’s clash with Jiri Prochazka can only be a barnstormer too, in fact it would be no surprise at all if we had two quick finishes later. Keep it here for all the pre-lim action, build up and then main card later.