Tag: Curtis Blaydes

Curtis Blaydes Explains Why He Envisions Former Opponent Tom Aspinall Stopping Jon Jones Early

Arguably the most anticipated fight in MMA right now is a potential UFC heavyweight title unification clash between Jon Jones and the interim titleholder, Tom Aspinall. It has been one of the main talking points that has dominated conversation throughout 2024 but after Jones’ recent win over Stipe Miocic at UFC 309, it still remains […]

Arguably the most anticipated fight in MMA right now is a potential UFC heavyweight title unification clash between Jon Jones and the interim titleholder, Tom Aspinall. It has been one of the main talking points that has dominated conversation throughout 2024 but after Jones’ recent win over Stipe Miocic at UFC 309, it still remains unclear whether it will happen or not.

Jones has come under some criticism for the way that he has spoken about the fight and played down the significance of fighting a guy like Aspinall who he sees as just another name. A lot of fight fans however believe that the Brit is the toughest fight out there for the consensus greatest of all time right now and as the interim champion, he deserves this opportunity to challenge “Bones” before he hangs up the gloves.

Curtis Blaydes is the only man to face Aspinall twice in his career and he’s also the only person to defeat the current interim champion in the UFC. After their first meeting back in 2022 ended in just 15 seconds when Aspinall suffered a devastating knee injury, they ran it back at UFC 304 this past July where on home turf, the interim titleholder defended his belt by stopping “Razor” in the first round.

In a recent interview with James Lynch for Sportskeeda MMA, Blaydes gave his thoughts on how a Jones and Aspinall matchup would play out if we do ever get to see it. He believes that (aside from his controversial disqualification loss against Matt Hamill) Aspinall could be the first man to defeat Jones inside the Octagon.

Blaydes says that though the fight is still an incredibly difficult one to predict, the speed and power of Aspinall could counter the range and distance striking of the current heavyweight champion.

“I would pick him (Aspinall). Like, I would go 55 (percent) him. Obviously, it’s not going to be a landslide. Like, we’re going to get Jon Jones. He’s a legend. He’s got all the weapons. I think one area where Tom can win is just a presence inside. Like, Jon Jones gets away with being able to stand in front of his opponent and just paw and pick at him with the inside leg kicks and the teeps and the jabs.

“(Aspinall) definitely has the speed. He doesn’t have the range that Jon has, but who does? But I think he knows that. I think he’ll get on the inside of that range, and I think he’ll be able to land a overhand. And it’ll probably be early because he likes to blitz. He doesn’t like to wait. So yeah, I think it’ll happen early.”

Curtis Blaydes Explains Why He Envisions Former Opponent Tom Aspinall Stopping Jon Jones Early

Arguably the most anticipated fight in MMA right now is a potential UFC heavyweight title unification clash between Jon Jones and the interim titleholder, Tom Aspinall. It has been one of the main talking points that has dominated conversation throughout 2024 but after Jones’ recent win over Stipe Miocic at UFC 309, it still remains […]

Arguably the most anticipated fight in MMA right now is a potential UFC heavyweight title unification clash between Jon Jones and the interim titleholder, Tom Aspinall. It has been one of the main talking points that has dominated conversation throughout 2024 but after Jones’ recent win over Stipe Miocic at UFC 309, it still remains unclear whether it will happen or not.

Jones has come under some criticism for the way that he has spoken about the fight and played down the significance of fighting a guy like Aspinall who he sees as just another name. A lot of fight fans however believe that the Brit is the toughest fight out there for the consensus greatest of all time right now and as the interim champion, he deserves this opportunity to challenge “Bones” before he hangs up the gloves.

Curtis Blaydes is the only man to face Aspinall twice in his career and he’s also the only person to defeat the current interim champion in the UFC. After their first meeting back in 2022 ended in just 15 seconds when Aspinall suffered a devastating knee injury, they ran it back at UFC 304 this past July where on home turf, the interim titleholder defended his belt by stopping “Razor” in the first round.

In a recent interview with James Lynch for Sportskeeda MMA, Blaydes gave his thoughts on how a Jones and Aspinall matchup would play out if we do ever get to see it. He believes that (aside from his controversial disqualification loss against Matt Hamill) Aspinall could be the first man to defeat Jones inside the Octagon.

Blaydes says that though the fight is still an incredibly difficult one to predict, the speed and power of Aspinall could counter the range and distance striking of the current heavyweight champion.

“I would pick him (Aspinall). Like, I would go 55 (percent) him. Obviously, it’s not going to be a landslide. Like, we’re going to get Jon Jones. He’s a legend. He’s got all the weapons. I think one area where Tom can win is just a presence inside. Like, Jon Jones gets away with being able to stand in front of his opponent and just paw and pick at him with the inside leg kicks and the teeps and the jabs.

“(Aspinall) definitely has the speed. He doesn’t have the range that Jon has, but who does? But I think he knows that. I think he’ll get on the inside of that range, and I think he’ll be able to land a overhand. And it’ll probably be early because he likes to blitz. He doesn’t like to wait. So yeah, I think it’ll happen early.”

UFC Matchmaking Bulletin: Curtis Blaydes Returns Against Promotional Newcomer

MMA News has you covered with this week’s UFC matchmaking bulletin, featuring all the additions to upcoming cards. With events being held most weekends, Mick Maynard and Sean Shelby have their matchmaking work cut out if they’re to fill them, meaning new bouts are confirmed each and every week. Between Monday, December 9, and Sunday, […]

MMA News has you covered with this week’s UFC matchmaking bulletin, featuring all the additions to upcoming cards.

With events being held most weekends, Mick Maynard and Sean Shelby have their matchmaking work cut out if they’re to fill them, meaning new bouts are confirmed each and every week.

Between Monday, December 9, and Sunday, December 15, a number of notable fights were made official by the UFC or reported as being in the works by reputable sources. For more information on those matchups, check out the links below:

Plenty of lower-profile matchups also came together. For those, check out this week’s quick hits:

But it wasn’t all positive, with one fight falling through. For that, see below:

Curtis Blaydes Reflects on UFC 304 Loss: “I Tossed Out the Game Plan”

Curtis Blaydes returned to England at UFC 304 where there was still a score to settle with fellow top heavyweight Tom Aspinall. The two men first met back in 2022 where the fight only lasted 15 seconds following an unfortunate injury to the Brit. With Aspinall holding the interim heavyweight title and being keen to […]

Continue Reading Curtis Blaydes Reflects on UFC 304 Loss: “I Tossed Out the Game Plan” at MMA News.

Curtis Blaydes returned to England at UFC 304 where there was still a score to settle with fellow top heavyweight Tom Aspinall.

The two men first met back in 2022 where the fight only lasted 15 seconds following an unfortunate injury to the Brit.

With Aspinall holding the interim heavyweight title and being keen to run this one back, the stage was set for Manchester on July 27.

In the short time that their initial encounter lasted, Blaydes had some success with his striking even if it was only a few quick exchanges.

He wasn’t able to show any of his grappling skills that would surely be a pivotal factor in the rematch.

Curtis Blaydes Reflects On What Went Wrong At UFC 304

Once again at UFC 304, Blaydes wasn’t able to really test Aspinall’s wrestling which is where “Razor” holds the clearest advantage.

He stood with his opponent which is always a dangerous game considering the timing, speed and power that the interim champ brings to the table.

As the opening minute came to a close, Blaydes became the latest man to fall to Aspinall within the first round.

He recently reflected on the fight and what went wrong for him in an interview with James Lynch for Inside Fighting.

The former title challenger said that after landing some strikes of his own early on, his original game plan went out the window in that moment.

“He starts fast, that’s the biggest thing, that’s what we knew heading into it and I kinda tossed out the game plan. We had a game plan that I was going to engage with the wrestling and engage with the clinch but I touched him early on and adrenaline kicked in and I just tossed out the game plan.

There’s no excuse, he was the better man that night, all the praise goes to him. He landed the shot, he pounced, he got the TKO and I mean, if I gotta lose, it’s not like he’s a bum so.”

Read also: Michael Bisping: Alex Pereira Is UFC’s No. 1 Pound-for-Pound Fighter

Continue Reading Curtis Blaydes Reflects on UFC 304 Loss: “I Tossed Out the Game Plan” at MMA News.

Curtis Blaydes Questions Stipe Miocic’s Readiness Ahead of UFC 309 Clash with Jon Jones

UFC 309 is a big return for Jon Jones following the injury that he suffered ahead of UFC 295 in November of last year. However, it’s an even bigger comeback for the former champion Stipe Miocic who hasn’t fought in well over three years at this point. The last time that we saw him compete […]

Continue Reading Curtis Blaydes Questions Stipe Miocic’s Readiness Ahead of UFC 309 Clash with Jon Jones at MMA News.

UFC 309 is a big return for Jon Jones following the injury that he suffered ahead of UFC 295 in November of last year. However, it’s an even bigger comeback for the former champion Stipe Miocic who hasn’t fought in well over three years at this point.

The last time that we saw him compete inside the Octagon was when he lost the title to Francis Ngannou at UFC 260 in March of 2021. Though Jones’ injury couldn’t be helped, it added even more time to Miocic’s layoff that many think will be too much for him to overcome at Madison Square Garden on November 16.

In a recent interview with James Lynch for Inside Fighting, heavyweight contender and former interim title challenger Curtis Blaydes gave his thoughts on the fight. Blaydes said the fight is so difficult to predict because we don’t know how Miocic is going to look after being gone for such a long time.

He is likely seen by many as the best heavyweight in UFC history but three years is a long-time for anyone to be inactive, let alone someone that is going to be fighting Jones for the title.

“Razor” did express some concerns about the health of the former champion based on second-hand comments that he has heard. Blaydes said that he has been hearing that Miocic didn’t appear to look at his best during his public appearances in recent times.

“I mean, who knows like Stipe has been gone for so long. Rust, it might be a factor, that’s something you gotta think about and like, I’ve been hearing that like whenever Stipe shows up at like an event or a press conference or a meet and greet or anything like that.

people have been saying that he’s got like a limp, he doesn’t look healthy, he looks smaller. I don’t know, right now, based on all that, I go Jon.”

Read also: Michael Bisping: Alex Pereira Is UFC’s No. 1 Pound-for-Pound Fighter

Continue Reading Curtis Blaydes Questions Stipe Miocic’s Readiness Ahead of UFC 309 Clash with Jon Jones at MMA News.

Curtis Blaydes Releases First Statement On 60-Second UFC 304 Loss To Tom Aspinall: ‘Got Greedy When I Touched Him Early’

UFC heavyweight Curtis Blaydes is understandably frustrated to have had his first shot at gold come to a crashing end in quick time. Blaydes was back across the pond this past weekend to share the Octagon with Tom Aspinall in England for the second time. “Razor” previously had his hand raised in 2022 after a […]

Continue Reading Curtis Blaydes Releases First Statement On 60-Second UFC 304 Loss To Tom Aspinall: ‘Got Greedy When I Touched Him Early’ at MMA News.

UFC heavyweight Curtis Blaydes is understandably frustrated to have had his first shot at gold come to a crashing end in quick time.

Blaydes was back across the pond this past weekend to share the Octagon with Tom Aspinall in England for the second time. “Razor” previously had his hand raised in 2022 after a knee injury to the Brit after just 15 seconds.

The American targeted a more definitive victory this time around, as well as the capturing of Aspinall’s interim UFC heavyweight championship. But Blaydes was unable to succeed in that goal at the UFC 304 pay-per-view in Manchester.

In the early hours of Sunday in the UK, Blaydes became the latest victim on Aspinall’s run of rapid finishes, being dropped by a stiff jab and finished with an onslaught of ground-and-pound on the one-minute mark of the very first round.

Having worked so hard to earn his first opportunity at winning gold on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage, Blaydes bemoaned his failure to make the most of it.

Blaydes On UFC 304 Loss: ‘I Threw Out The Amazing Gameplan…That Would’ve Worked

Following his setback in the UFC 304 co-main event, Blaydes released his first public statement on his Instagram Stories.

“Razor” maintained that the strategy devised by his team would have worked and ensured his crowning as interim champ but admitted to deviating from it after catching Aspinall on the feet early.

“Sorry guys, I got greedy when I touched him early and threw out the amazing gameplan that my coaches Vinnie Lopez (and) Cody Donovan came up with that would’ve worked I’m sure of it. No excuses Tom was on point tonight I know this isn’t the end of my journey but damnit, I know I’m better than tonight’s performance. I appreciate all the support truly it’s been an eye opening experience to have so many ppl rocking with me,” Blaydes wrote.

Curtis Blaydes
Image: @razorblaydes265/Instagram

Having insisted that he is far from done, Blaydes will soon turn his attention to the pursuit of a second chance at reaching the heavyweight mountaintop.

Aspinall, meanwhile, has ensured that his reign as interim champ goes on and continues to call for a unification showdown with champion Jon Jones.

While Dana White stated that the Brit will face the winner of Jones’ expected title clash with Stipe Miocic later this year, backlash to that matchup from the community has only grown after Aspinall’s emphatic performance at UFC 304.

Continue Reading Curtis Blaydes Releases First Statement On 60-Second UFC 304 Loss To Tom Aspinall: ‘Got Greedy When I Touched Him Early’ at MMA News.