Tag: Jon Jones

Stephen A. Smith’s Take On Jones vs. Aspinall Infuriates Former UFC Fighter: ‘Ban This Man From Speaking’ 

Sports television personality Stephen A. Smith sees UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones as the “best on the planet” and can’t picture anybody getting the better of him, Tom Aspinall included. Smith provided his reaction to Jones’ latest performance — a TKO victory over Stipe Miocic in the main event of UFC 309 — on a […]

Sports television personality Stephen A. Smith sees UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones as the “best on the planet” and can’t picture anybody getting the better of him, Tom Aspinall included.

Smith provided his reaction to Jones’ latest performance — a TKO victory over Stipe Miocic in the main event of UFC 309 — on a recent episode of First Take alongside Shannon Sharpe on ESPN.

The former light heavyweight kingpin added a first successful heavyweight defense to his record at Madison Square Garden, stopping the returning Miocic with a brutal spinning side kick to the body in round three.

No sooner had Jones had his hand raised in “The Big Apple,” talk turned to a much-awaited title unification fight with interim champ Aspinall, who was cageside at MSG after weighing in as backup for the main event last Friday.

But while Jones’ repeated dismissal of the Brit has led some to suggest he fears defeat, Smith isn’t entertaining that as a possibility.

“I think he’s the best on the planet. He’s the greatest in MMA that I’ve ever seen,” Smith said. “I’ve always said to everybody, you’ve got to show me to make me believe that somebody’s going to beat Jon ‘Bones’ Jones, ’cause I just don’t see it happening. He’s just too elite.”

When a clip of his remarks was posted on X, Aspinall’s fellow countryman, ex-UFC title challenger Darren Till, made his thoughts on Smith clear…

“Stephen A Smith has the IQ of a mole,” Till wrote. “Please ban this man from ever speaking about anything ever again.”

Smith has previously caught the ire of the MMA community, most notably when he suggested Donald Cerrone “didn’t want to be there” when he was blitzed by Conor McGregor in 40 seconds at UFC 246.

‘Based UFC Europe’ Account Plays Matchmaker For Jon Jones — Aspinall, Aspinall, Or Aspinall

The conversation surrounding Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall hasn’t disappeared in the aftermath of UFC 309 this past weekend. A lot of fans, media and fellow fighters were very vocal in the lead up to the event about the potential of seeing the heavyweight title unification fight. Whether it was people talking about Jones’ comments […]

The conversation surrounding Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall hasn’t disappeared in the aftermath of UFC 309 this past weekend. A lot of fans, media and fellow fighters were very vocal in the lead up to the event about the potential of seeing the heavyweight title unification fight.

Whether it was people talking about Jones’ comments regarding not wanting to fight the interim heavyweight champion or fans arguing that it should have been Aspinall in the main event instead of a returning Stipe Miocic, the controversy regarding this huge match-up has dominated discussions both before and after the UFC’s return to Madison Square Garden.

In his post-fight interview after stopping Miocic in the third round in what was a one-sided heavyweight title fight, Jones suggested that he will stick around for one more fight if he can come to terms with the UFC. Despite saying “maybe we’ll give you guys what you want to see”, “Bones” stated in his press conference that he isn’t interested in fighting Aspinall and only has eyes for the light heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira.

The UFC Europe account on social media weighed in on the topic via a fairly standard post that offered three options for a champion’s next challenge. However, columns A, B and C all featured one name and one name only.

Like-minded fight fans gave their reactions to the post from the official account on X.

“What the UFC Europe social media guy remembered before posting this”

“Based UFC Europe”

“UFC Europe banger”

“I’m all for any of the three options. They all seem like perfect fights to make next for Jon Jones”

UFC Rankings Report: Jon Jones Denied Pound-For-Pound Top Spot

As always, the latest action on offer inside the Octagon has seen some climb the ladder toward contention and others fall away. And in the aftermath of UFC 309, MMA News has you covered with this week’s updates to the official UFC rankings. Men’s Pound-For-Pound: Dana White won’t be pleased looking at the updated P4P pecking order. Jon […]

As always, the latest action on offer inside the Octagon has seen some climb the ladder toward contention and others fall away.

And in the aftermath of UFC 309, MMA News has you covered with this week’s updates to the official UFC rankings.

Men’s Pound-For-Pound: Dana White won’t be pleased looking at the updated P4P pecking order. Jon Jones’ successful heavyweight title defense at Madison Square Garden wasn’t enough to convince the panel that he should have the crown, with that remaining in Islam Makhachev’s possession. “Bones” has, however, climbed above Alex Pereira (#3) into the #2 position.

Further down, former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira (#15) has returned to the list as a result of his triumph over Michael Chandler on Saturday night. That’s left ex-middleweight kingpin Israel Adesanya without a number entirely.

Women’s Pound-for-Pound: No changes.

Women’s Strawweight: No changes.

Women’s Flyweight: There was just one change at 125 pounds, with Karine Silva’s defeat to Viviane Araújo at UFC 309 pushing her back one place to #12. That’s provided a boost for Tracy Cortez, who is up one spot to #11 months on from her main event loss to Rose Namajunas.

Women’s Bantamweight: No changes.

Flyweight: No changes.

Bantamweight: Marcus McGhee has debuted in the UFC rankings following his victory over Jonathan Martinez. “The Maniac” has entered at #14, while his defeated opponent is no longer ranked. Aiemann Zahabi has been a beneficiary of those changes, seeing his number improved by one to #13.

Featherweight: No changes.

Lightweight: A few changes unrelated to Saturday’s pay-per-view have taken place at 155 pounds. That includes a switch of positions for Mateusz Gamrot and Beneil Dariush, with the former up to #8 and the latter down to #9. It’s a similar situation further down the ladder, with Paddy Pimblett climbing above Jalin Turner (#14) to #13.

Welterweight: No changes.

Middleweight: No changes.

Light Heavyweight: No changes.

Heavyweight: Following his defeat to Jones, Stipe Miocic announced his retirement from active competition inside the cage. With that, he’s swiftly been removed from the UFC rankings and replaced by Shamil Gaziev, who’s slot in at #15.

You can view the full updated UFC rankings here.

Donald Trump and Saudi Arabia’s Wealth Fund Chief Draw Attention at Star-Studded UFC Night

Donald Trump and Saudi Arabia’s Wealth Fund Chief Draw Attention at Star-Studded UFC NightPresident-elect Donald Trump returned to Madison Square Garden on Saturday night to take in all the action at UFC…

Donald Trump and Saudi Arabia’s Wealth Fund Chief Draw Attention at Star-Studded UFC Night

President-elect Donald Trump returned to Madison Square Garden on Saturday night to take in all the action at UFC 309, and he had plenty of company in the stands.

Joining the 45th and now 47th POTUS inside the world’s most famous arena were Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk, Kid Rock, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Tulsi Gabbard, House Speaker Mike Johnson, and of course, Dana White.

Trump was also spotted on camera speaking with the head of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), Yasir Al-Rumayya.

Donald Trump

For those unfamiliar, the PIF is the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia, which is controlled by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and governed by Al-Rumayyan. According to a report from Reuters, the PIF was estimated to have about $925 billion in assets in July.

The PIF has become a major player in global sports over the last several years. Aside from owning the Newcastle United football club, the fund was a major backer of LIV Golf and leveraged a merger with the PGA which is still being negotiated.

Saudi Arabia also hosts biannual WWE events and has seemingly taken over the world of boxing, putting together some of the biggest possible fights like Anthony Joshua vs. Francis Ngannou, Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk, and Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol.

Donald Trump

‘Bones’ hands Donald Trump His UFC Belt following third-round KO of Stipe Miocic

While the night gave us some pretty solid fights, including a brutal third-round body kick KO in the long-awaited main event between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic, the entire night felt more like a love letter to Trump and his improbable defeat of Kamala Harris to once again take up residence at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

‘Bones’ had the most egregious display of admiration for Trump, imitating his YMCA dance following his 28th career win and even going so far as to hand the 34-time convicted felon the UFC heavyweight championship belt.

Donald Trump

NFL Legend Sparks UFC GOAT Discussion With Jon Jones and Kitchen Appliances

NFL Legend Sparks UFC GOAT Discussion With Jon Jones and Kitchen AppliancesNFL Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe is closing the debate on Jon Jones‘ GOAT status. On Saturday night, undisputed…

NFL Legend Sparks UFC GOAT Discussion With Jon Jones and Kitchen Appliances

NFL Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe is closing the debate on Jon Jones‘ GOAT status.

On Saturday night, undisputed UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones returned to the Octagon nearly two years after his title-winning performance against Ciryl Gane at UFC 285. This time around, ‘Bones’ was tasked with taking out consensus heavyweight GOAT Stipe Miocic as the two combat sports titans headed up a loaded UFC 309 card in Madison Square Garden.

Jon Jones

Though it took Jones a little longer to dispatch Miocic than it did Gane, ‘Bones’ was nothing short of dominant in their heavyweight headliner, finishing the two-time titleholder in the third round with a vicious spinning back kick to the body.

Jon Jones

Not long after ‘Bones’ handed his title belt to President-elect Donald Trump who was sitting cageside for the main card, Sharpe called for an official end to the great GOAT debate on social media.

Jon Jones

“The GOAT UFC fighter is JON ‘BONES’ JONES,” Sharpe wrote on X. “The pound 4 pound best fighter is also JON ‘BONES’ JONES. Please no more questions about who it is. It’s him and it’s not close. Go debate with your kitchen appliances.”

After UFC 309, is Jon Jones’ GOAT Status undeniable?

With a 28-1 record, two world title reigns, and wins over some of the biggest names in mixed martial arts history, it’s hard to argue against Jon Jones being the greatest fighter of all time.

Of course, there will always be those who discredit Jones’ work inside the Octagon by pointing at his shenanigans outside of it, but even Jones’ biggest of haters are going to have a hard time denying the label that Sharpe and many others have given him.

After his decisive victory over Stipe Miocic in New York City, is Jon Jones the undisputed GOAT of MMA?

Jon Jones

Tom Aspinall on the Jon Jones Unification Match “This fight is going to happen. Throw me a pair of gloves.”

Tom AspinallThe UFC interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall has been long waiting to hear any confirmation from the UFC regarding…

Tom Aspinall

The UFC interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall has been long waiting to hear any confirmation from the UFC regarding a Jon Jones title unification match. For weeks, the heavyweight king ‘Bones’ Jones has been claiming he will not fight Aspinall, instead he aims to retire. But Aspinall recently revealed

Tom Aspinall Updates on Jon Jones Fight

After a series of submission and KO/TKO wins in the UFC’s heavyweight division, the UK-born Tom Aspinall was able to earn the UFC interim heavyweight title. Jon ‘Bones’ Jones sat out during that time, while holding the UFC heavyweight title, due to an injury. But now both Aspinall and Jones have one title defense each and have yet to unify the titles.

Jon Jones UFC 309

At UFC 309, Jon Jones earned a TKO win against the former champion Stipe Miocic. Leading up to the fight, the US-born Jones refused to acknowledge a possible fight against Aspinall instead claiming he will retire. After the fight, he said he would be happy to meet the interim champion for the right amount of money.

Tom Aspinall Jon Jones UFC 309

Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall

Behind the scenes, Aspinall spoke with UFC brass Hunter Campbell and Dana White and he claims he is optimistic about this future and to expect big news soon.

Speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show, he explained how he felt after a meeting with Dana White and Hunter Campbell, he said:

“This fight is goping to happen… A lot of negotiating to do, I’m very optimistic. Throw me a pair of gloves and I’m in.“

Fans have been clamoring to finally see Jon Jones meet Tom Aspinall in the octagon. With no injuries and a clear schedule, there is nothing blocking this heavyweight fight. On Jones’ UFC 309 title win, Aspinall said:

“Jon Jones did Jon Jones things… Standard procedure Jon Jones. Stipe… 42-year-old Stipe just didn’t have the legs anymore… Jones is brilliant in MMA, one of the best to ever do it… Me at 31 years old and Stipe at 42 years old- we’re not even in the same stratosphere… I am not a 42-year-old Stipe and Jon knows it.

“I got see Jones fight up close, and as a future opponent this was some information that was very interesting to me.”