Ante Delija Discusses Training With Tom Aspinall Ahead of PFL 1 Headliner

Ante Delija was impressed with Tom Aspinall’s caliber after training with the Englishman ahead of his upcoming clash against Valentin Moldavsky.

Delija (24-5) and Moldavsky (12-3) are slated to headline PFL 1 at the Boeing Center in San Antonio, Texas, on Thursday. Delija trained with Aspinall before entering fight camp and heaped praise on the interim Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight champion’s skillset.

“I trained with Tom Aspinall before my training camp,” Delija said during a PFL media day session. “I was impressed with his physical strength and also he is very, very technical. His father is training him since he was a kid so he deserves the place where he is right now.”

Delija is currently riding a five-fight winning streak topped off by a decision victory over Ultimate Fighting Championship veteran Maurice Greene. Delija went on to win the bout despite breaking his leg in the opening round. “Walking Trouble” was able to make a relatively quick recovery.

“When I fought last time with Maurice Greene I broke my leg, two muscles,” he said. “But recovery was fast, after eight weeks I was back in the gym and started working and improved my skills. And [I] broke [my] leg in the fourth minute of my fight and fought 11 minutes with a broken leg.”

While Delija has finished 17 of his 24 career wins, his opponent is seen as more of a decision fighter. Regardless, Delija sees himself besting the former Bellator interim champ whether it be within the distance or on the scorecards.

“I think I can win by any way,” he said. “Just if I follow my tactics throughout the fight, I think I will win no matter, either way.”

Moldavsky will be making his PFL debut against Delija after the company’s recent acquisition of Bellator MMA. The Russian is coming off a unanimous decision win over Steve Mowry that ended a three-fight winless streak.