LIMBO DANCER

Superstitious Tom puts knees-up plans on back burner

- BY MARTIN DOMIN

TOM Aspinall won't let his mind wander to throwing celebratory shapes on the dancefloor this weekend - for fear of ending up back in hospital.

The UFC heavyweight champion will defend his belt for the first time when he takes on Ciryl Gane in Abu Dhabi on Saturday night.

Aspinall was upgraded from interim ruler when previous king Jon Jones retired briefly earlier this year.

His crowning came three years after his seemingly inevitable journey to the top was abruptly halted when he tore his knee ligaments 15 seconds into his fight with Curtis Blaydes.

The serious injury meant Aspinall ended up in a lonely hospital bed instead of a plush nightclub.