Tag: tom aspinall

UFC urged to strip Jon Jones of championship amid injury layoff: ‘If he doesn’t return soon, you have to remove his belt’

UFC urged to strip Jon Jones of title amid layoff if he doesn't return soon you have to take his beltFormer UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos thinks Tom Aspinall is the real heavyweight king. Aspinall is the current…

UFC urged to strip Jon Jones of title amid layoff if he doesn't return soon you have to take his belt

Former UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos thinks Tom Aspinall is the real heavyweight king.

Aspinall is the current interim heavyweight champion as he scored a first-round knockout over Sergei Pavlovich back in November. The current heavyweight champion is Jon Jones who won the title in March with a submission win over Ciryl Gane but has not fought since then due to injuries.

Given that Jones hasn’t fought in a year, dos Santos views Aspinall as the real heavyweight champion.

Junior Dos Santos

“He’s the man of the moment, so he should be considered the champion,” dos Santos said on MMA Fighting’s Trocação Franca podcast. “If Jon Jones doesn’t return soon, you have to remove his belt and make Aspinall’s belt undisputed. I think he’s doing great, he really is very tough and skilled and competent at what he does. It’s a new moment for the heavyweight division in the UFC.”

Junior dos Santos says Jon Jones – StipeMiocic doesn’t need the belt attached to it

Although dos Santos thinks Tom Aspinall is the real heavyweight champ, he knows the UFC won’t strip Jon Jones because they want the fight against Stipe Miocic to be for the belt.

Stipe Miocic interim title fight offer for UFC 295 would be "completely disrespectful" dana white
Mandatory Credit: Chris Unger – Zuffa LLC

However, the Brazilian thinks Jones vs. Miocic doesn’t need to be for the belt for people to care, so he thinks the UFC should strip Jones.

“The belt is obviously the goal for every athlete, but more to crown the position they are today,” dos Santos said. “The belt is a symbol that you’re No. 1, but Jon Jones and even Miocic, we already know they are the No. 1 and No. 2, or at least that they’re at the top of the division. Actually, Renan [Ferreira] just got in the mix. [Laughs.]

Jon Jones undergoes new elbow surgery amid UFC absence your boy's back in the sling

“But I think they’re both extremely experienced and have long careers, so they should do what’s best for them. There’s no point to fight only to fight, or to do things that they don’t believe in at this stage of their careers. Let’s see what happens next.”

Although dos Santos thinks the UFC should strip Jones, it does seem unlikely that will happen.

Do you agree with Junior dos Santos?

UFC urged to strip Jon Jones of championship amid injury layoff: ‘If he doesn’t return soon, you have to remove his belt’

UFC urged to strip Jon Jones of title amid layoff if he doesn't return soon you have to take his beltFormer UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos thinks Tom Aspinall is the real heavyweight king. Aspinall is the current…

UFC urged to strip Jon Jones of title amid layoff if he doesn't return soon you have to take his belt

Former UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos thinks Tom Aspinall is the real heavyweight king.

Aspinall is the current interim heavyweight champion as he scored a first-round knockout over Sergei Pavlovich back in November. The current heavyweight champion is Jon Jones who won the title in March with a submission win over Ciryl Gane but has not fought since then due to injuries.

Given that Jones hasn’t fought in a year, dos Santos views Aspinall as the real heavyweight champion.

Junior Dos Santos

“He’s the man of the moment, so he should be considered the champion,” dos Santos said on MMA Fighting’s Trocação Franca podcast. “If Jon Jones doesn’t return soon, you have to remove his belt and make Aspinall’s belt undisputed. I think he’s doing great, he really is very tough and skilled and competent at what he does. It’s a new moment for the heavyweight division in the UFC.”

Junior dos Santos says Jon Jones – StipeMiocic doesn’t need the belt attached to it

Although dos Santos thinks Tom Aspinall is the real heavyweight champ, he knows the UFC won’t strip Jon Jones because they want the fight against Stipe Miocic to be for the belt.

Stipe Miocic interim title fight offer for UFC 295 would be "completely disrespectful" dana white
Mandatory Credit: Chris Unger – Zuffa LLC

However, the Brazilian thinks Jones vs. Miocic doesn’t need to be for the belt for people to care, so he thinks the UFC should strip Jones.

“The belt is obviously the goal for every athlete, but more to crown the position they are today,” dos Santos said. “The belt is a symbol that you’re No. 1, but Jon Jones and even Miocic, we already know they are the No. 1 and No. 2, or at least that they’re at the top of the division. Actually, Renan [Ferreira] just got in the mix. [Laughs.]

Jon Jones undergoes new elbow surgery amid UFC absence your boy's back in the sling

“But I think they’re both extremely experienced and have long careers, so they should do what’s best for them. There’s no point to fight only to fight, or to do things that they don’t believe in at this stage of their careers. Let’s see what happens next.”

Although dos Santos thinks the UFC should strip Jones, it does seem unlikely that will happen.

Do you agree with Junior dos Santos?

Tom Aspinall scoffs at Jon Jones’ stature after intense face off with UFC star: ‘He’s nowhere near as big as me’

Tom Aspinall mocks size of Jon Jones after face off he's nowhere near as big as meTom Aspinall and Jon Jones come face-to-face.  Despite being the No.1 and 2 ranked heavyweights in the UFC, Jones…

Tom Aspinall mocks size of Jon Jones after face off he's nowhere near as big as me

Tom Aspinall and Jon Jones come face-to-face. 

Despite being the No.1 and 2 ranked heavyweights in the UFC, Jones and Aspinall will not be facing each other next, and maybe ever. 

After suffering an injury, Jones was forced to postpone his fight with Stipe Miocic, much to the displeasure of Aspinall. The Brit is currently the interim-heavyweight champion, but has no viable matchup lined up. 

Jon Jones comes face to face with Tom Aspinall quickly takes hand off shoulder in tense meeting

Aspinall had begun to campaign to face with Miocic or Jones next but likely realised that will not be happening.

Tom Aspinall and Jon Jones meet for the very first time

After sharing a small back-and-forths Aspinall and Jones came face-to-face at a fitness event in Birmingham on Saturday. It resulted in a rather awkward meeting which was filmed and posted by Aspinall via his YouTube channel. 

“What’s going on man?” Aspinall began.

Jon Jones undergoes new elbow surgery amid UFC absence your boy's back in the sling

“I’m all good man,” Jones replied as the two shook hands. 

Aspinall would then reach to touch Jones on the shoulder, in what could only be seen as a friendly embrace. Jones would quickly remove Aspinall’s hand all while maintaining eye contact. The Englishman would quickly apologise. 

“Are we going to do this thing?” Aspinall then asked Jones.

“I would hope so,” Jones responded.

“I would love to – respect,” Aspinall said to Jones. “I would love to have the honor one day.”

Jones answered back, “Maybe one day.”

Aspinall would also ask for a face-off picture with Jones, which was quickly shot down before the two posed for a side-by-side snap. 

Tom Aspinall

“Yeah it was good mate, all peaceful,” Aspinall explained following the interaction. “I wanna fight with him but I don’t wanna fight him at an even, I want to have a UFC fight with him. I just asked if he would give me the opportunity one day, he said he’s healing up good so we’ll see.”

Who wins, Tom Aspinall or Jon Jones? 

Tom Aspinall talks failed UFC 300 title super fight with Alex Pereira: ‘I was more interested than him’

Tom Aspinall talks failed UFC 300 superfight with Alex Pereira I was more interested than himInterim heavyweight champion, Tom Aspinall has claimed that despite his interest in defending his interim crown against light heavyweight…

Tom Aspinall talks failed UFC 300 superfight with Alex Pereira I was more interested than him

Interim heavyweight champion, Tom Aspinall has claimed that despite his interest in defending his interim crown against light heavyweight kingpin, Alex Pereira at UFC 300 next month in a rumored clash – the Brazilian seemed to share less of a wanting than him.

Aspinall, who minted himself as the interim heavyweight champion last November, did so on the same card as Sao Paulo knockout artist, Pereira’s light heavyweight title ascension.

Tom Aspinall death threats for chasing title fight with Jon Jones in UFC next
Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz – USA TODAY Sports

Himself landing an impressive stoppage on the feet at the Madison Square Garden event, Atherton native, Aspinall turned in a first round knockout win over Sergei Pavlovich – ending the Russian’s roughshod run of wins. 

Becoming a duel-weight champion on that same card, Pereira stopped Jiri Prochazka with a second round TKO win in the pair’s vacant title main event, adding to spoils secured a division lower at middleweight.

And slated to himself headline UFC 300, Pereira, an inductee to the GLORY Kickboxing Hall of Fame – is set to take on the returning former champion, Jamahal Hill on the monstrous card. 

Alex Pereira claims he's back in cryptic post on social media amid links to fight at UFC 300
Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

However, in weeks ahead of the pay-per-view, speculation was rife across social media that Aspinall would be welcoming Pereira to the heavyweight limit at UFC 300 – with the Brazilian attempting to become the first three-weight champion in Octagon antiquity. 

Noting his intentions to eventually climb as high as heavyweight, Pereira insisted that a move as soon as UFC 300 would simply come too soon for him to prepare sufficiently. 

Tom Aspinall addresses failed UFC 300 fight with Alex Pereira

And despite links, Aspinall claims there were some talks about a potential superfight between the two, however, he appeared to be the more interested party.

“It was [a potential fight at UFC 300] – it was, to be honest,” Tom Aspinall told Michael Bisping during an appearance on his YouTube channel. “We did a bit of flirting with the idea. I was more interested than him, it seemed.”

“It just seemed, he wants to – long story short, it turns out, he wants to go to heavyweight, [but] doesn’t want to go to heavyweight yet. So, that’s all we can do.” 

Jon Jones comes face to face with Tom Aspinall quickly takes hand off shoulder in tense meeting

Himself awaiting the victor of an expected title unification bout between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic next – Aspinall came face-to-face with the former pound-for-pound number one today, seeing an initially cordial exchange almost turn sour.

Would you like to see Alex Pereira take on Tom Aspinall soon?

Video – Jon Jones comes face to face with Tom Aspinall, quickly takes hand off shoulder in tense meeting

Jon Jones comes face to face with Tom Aspinall quickly takes hand off shoulder in tense meetingComing face-to-face with interim heavyweight champion, Tom Aspinall for the first time amid continued links to a future title…

Jon Jones comes face to face with Tom Aspinall quickly takes hand off shoulder in tense meeting

Coming face-to-face with interim heavyweight champion, Tom Aspinall for the first time amid continued links to a future title unification fight, fellow titleholder, Jon Jones shared a tense meeting and some words with the British favorite, before briskly taking Aspinall’s hand off his shoulder.

Jones, a former two-time light heavyweight champion and current heavyweight gold holder, has been sidelined since he landed vacant division spoils back in March of last year atop UFC 285, submitting Ciryl Gane with a stunning first round guillotine choke submission win.

Jon Anik claims he's not surprised by Jon Jones exit from UFC 295 through injury it was ambitious
Mandatory Credit: David Becker – AP

And as for Atherton native, Apsinall, the surging contender landed the interim heavyweight title back in November at Madison Square Garden, stopping the streak of Russian knockout artist, Sergei Pavlovich with a blistering first round KO win of his own.

Fans lash out ticket prices for UFC 295 Jon Jones Stipe Miocic more than $112,000

Scheduled to headline that card in New York, Rochester native, Jones was forced from a long-anticipated title fight with former champion, Stipe Miocic after he suffered a pectoral tendon tear ahead of the clash.

Tom Aspinall

Expected to fight Ohio veteran, Miocic in his return later this annum, Jones has also been linked with a future title unification bout with the interim champion, Aspinall, who has made his thoughts on a pairing with the ex-pound-for-pound number one more than common knowledge. 

Jon Jones comes face-to-face with Tom Aspinall

And coming face-to-face with Aspinall during an impromptu meeting today, Jones shared some words with the British heavyweight – before knocking back the former’s attempt to put his hand on his own shoulder, briskly removing it during what has to be said was a tense coming together. 

Receiving the backing of UFC CEO, Dana White to land a future fight against either Jones and Miocic off the back of their expected title fight, Aspinall has been touted as a legitimate challenger to the victor by the long-time promotional leader.

Do you think Jon Jones will fight Tom Aspinall in the future?

Video – Jon Jones comes face to face with Tom Aspinall, quickly takes hand off shoulder in tense meeting

Jon Jones comes face to face with Tom Aspinall quickly takes hand off shoulder in tense meetingComing face-to-face with interim heavyweight champion, Tom Aspinall for the first time amid continued links to a future title…

Jon Jones comes face to face with Tom Aspinall quickly takes hand off shoulder in tense meeting

Coming face-to-face with interim heavyweight champion, Tom Aspinall for the first time amid continued links to a future title unification fight, fellow titleholder, Jon Jones shared a tense meeting and some words with the British favorite, before briskly taking Aspinall’s hand off his shoulder.

Jones, a former two-time light heavyweight champion and current heavyweight gold holder, has been sidelined since he landed vacant division spoils back in March of last year atop UFC 285, submitting Ciryl Gane with a stunning first round guillotine choke submission win.

Jon Anik claims he's not surprised by Jon Jones exit from UFC 295 through injury it was ambitious
Mandatory Credit: David Becker – AP

And as for Atherton native, Apsinall, the surging contender landed the interim heavyweight title back in November at Madison Square Garden, stopping the streak of Russian knockout artist, Sergei Pavlovich with a blistering first round KO win of his own.

Fans lash out ticket prices for UFC 295 Jon Jones Stipe Miocic more than $112,000

Scheduled to headline that card in New York, Rochester native, Jones was forced from a long-anticipated title fight with former champion, Stipe Miocic after he suffered a pectoral tendon tear ahead of the clash.

Tom Aspinall

Expected to fight Ohio veteran, Miocic in his return later this annum, Jones has also been linked with a future title unification bout with the interim champion, Aspinall, who has made his thoughts on a pairing with the ex-pound-for-pound number one more than common knowledge. 

Jon Jones comes face-to-face with Tom Aspinall

And coming face-to-face with Aspinall during an impromptu meeting today, Jones shared some words with the British heavyweight – before knocking back the former’s attempt to put his hand on his own shoulder, briskly removing it during what has to be said was a tense coming together. 

Receiving the backing of UFC CEO, Dana White to land a future fight against either Jones and Miocic off the back of their expected title fight, Aspinall has been touted as a legitimate challenger to the victor by the long-time promotional leader.

Do you think Jon Jones will fight Tom Aspinall in the future?