Tag: tom aspinall

Michael Bisping claims Brock Lesnar vs. Tom Aspinall at UFC 300 isn’t as ‘Crazy’ as you might think

Tom Aspinall and Brock Lesnar at UFC 300Ex-UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping doesn’t believe Brock Lesnar’s return at UFC 300 is as far-fetched as one might…

Tom Aspinall and Brock Lesnar at UFC 300

Ex-UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping doesn’t believe Brock Lesnar’s return at UFC 300 is as far-fetched as one might think.

With the promotion’s next big milestone event a few short months away, the stage is slowly being set for one of the biggest nights in MMA history. Fight fans already have a slew of exciting matchups to look up to, including the recently announced lightweight title eliminator between Charles Oliveira and rising contender Arman Tsarukyan. But the million-dollar question remains — who will feature in the evening’s main event?

With many of the promotion’s top stars already booked and titleholders like Jon Jones and Islam Makhachev not slated to return until summer, there is a surprising lack of big-money fights to make. However, Bisping believes he has the answer in former UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar.

UFC CEO Dana White has already debunked rumors of Lesnar’s return at the event, but with both the UFC and the WWE now under the same banner, ‘The Count’ is convinced that fight fans could see ‘The Beast Incarnate’ step back inside the Octagon on April 13.

“UFC 300, will we see Brock Lesnar on there again?” Bisping stated on his YouTube channel in a recent video. “It sounds stupid, because Brock Lesnar is no spring chicken. He’s 46 years old, 46 years old but remember Randy Couture fought into the ripe old age of 47. Fighters have gone longer. Guess what, when there’s millions of dollars on the line, people will come and fight.”

He continued, “People would love to see Brock Lesnar stepping in there once again… He’s only 46, he’s still a draw and people love him. The UFC and the WWE, they’re both owned by the same parent company now. So, I would imagine that the politics and the contractual stuff would be pretty easy waters to navigate. So I can’t see that being a hurdle. But, who would the opponent be?”

Bisping Lobbies For Brock Lesnar vs. Tom Aspinall at UFC 300

But who could Brock Lesnar face in his hypothetical return? Well, Bisping even has the perfect opponent in mind for the WWE Superstar.

“…Call me crazy, call me Tom Aspinall’s number one fanboy, but could you imagine Brock Lesnar vs. Tom Aspinall headlining UFC 300?” Bisping concluded. “… Maybe it’s just wishful thinking. But Tom Aspinall, Brock Lesnar, that would be mental. That is the type of thing I think the UFC are going to do” (h/t BJPenn.com).

Tom Aspinall has been undeniably frustrated with his position as the current interim heavyweight champion. Since winning the title with a stunning 69-second KO of Sergei Pavlovich in November, he has been lobbying for a fight with the division’s undisputed king, Jon Jones. Currently, ‘Bones’ is sidelined while recovering from a pectoral injury, but even when he returns, it won’t be Aspinall he fights.

Instead, Jones will move forward with a previously scheduled scrap against two-time titleholder Stipe Miocic later this year. With Aspinall forced to sit out and wait, a fight against someone like Brock Lesnar could be just what the doctor ordered for one of the UFC’s most exciting heavyweights.

UFC heavyweight Titleholder Jon Jones snaps back at Tom Aspinall and his ‘Imaginary Championship’

Jon Jones and Tom AspinallTom Aspinall’s patience is running thing and Jon Jones is tired of hearing about it. Aspinall, who currently sits…

Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall

Tom Aspinall’s patience is running thing and Jon Jones is tired of hearing about it.

Aspinall, who currently sits as the UFC’s interim heavyweight champion, desperately wants to unify his strap with that of current undisputed titleholder Jon Jones. Unfortunately, he’ll have to stay patient as ‘Bones’ continues to recover from a torn pectoral he sustained a few months back whilst training for a previously scheduled clash with Stipe Miocic at UFC 295.

However, Jones won’t be facing Aspinall when he does make his highly anticipated return. Instead, he’ll meet Miocic as originally intended with the interim champ set to unify his belt with the winner. That has understandably rubbed Aspinall the wrong way with the Brit sharing his discontent over the situation repeatedly on social media.

Jon Jones goes in on Tom Aspinall

After weeks of lambasting both Jones and Miocic online, ‘Bones’ is finally snapping back, letting Tom Aspinall know exactly where he stands in the grand scheme of things via a series of scathing posts on X.

“I love how a fighter can do an interview about me every week, make silly memes on the Internet. And then, when I respond, they play the victim role. Lol,” Jones wrote.

“Tom, you talking about someone’s ego running wild is one of the most hypocritical things ever., You literally haven’t kept my balls out of your mouth since you won that imaginary championship,” Jones added. “Both you and Serge have zero championships between your name. It’s funny that you actually walk around feeling like the world champion. Especially when the actual champion is undefeated, and had a flawless last performance. Literally didn’t get hit my last fight.”

“My stipe fight was booked well before yours came along, you weren’t even the back up fighter,” Jones continued. “Trust me you’re the one who is coming around here with the inflated ego and entitlement. That intern championship means absolutely nothing if you seriously haven’t noticed yet. All your fight did at Madison Square Garden was confused the fans. Good thing the UFC and it’s too long time standing champions are all on the same page. The UfC, Stipe and I have unfinished business, it’s really just that simple.”

Aspinall claimed the interim title at UFC 295, scoring a sensational 69-second knockout against Sergei Pavlovich in the co-main event. From the moment his hand was raised, Aspinall has been lobbying for a title unification bout with Jon Jones. Recently, his frustration has reached a boiling point which prompted both Jones and Miocic to react.

Miocic took a more measured approach, telling Aspinall that “once I get this win, let’s talk to unify the belt” while ‘Bones’ went full tilt, attacking Aspinall’s resume.

Jon Jones rips uFC rival Tom Aspinall’s fighting résumé: ‘I have no clue who 90 percent of it is’

Jon Jones rips Tom Aspinall's winning résumé I don't know who 90 percent of it isUFC heavyweight champion, Jon Jones has ripped the winning résumé of interim divisional gold holder, Tom Aspinall, claiming that…

Jon Jones rips Tom Aspinall's winning résumé I don't know who 90 percent of it is

UFC heavyweight champion, Jon Jones has ripped the winning résumé of interim divisional gold holder, Tom Aspinall, claiming that beyond just 10 percent of fighter’s in the Atherton native’s record, he’s unfamiliar with the rest of the names Aspinall has competed against.

Jones, a former two-time undisputed light heavyweight champion and former pound-for-pound number one ranked fighter, has been sidelined since he struck vacant heavyweight gold back in March of last year, landing an opening round guillotine choke submission win over Ciryl Gane.

Slated to make his return at UFC 295 back in November at Madison Square Garden, Endicott native, Jones was forced from a Madison Square Garden clash with former two-time champion, Stipe Miocic, having suffered a pectoral tendon tear in the weeks before the bout.

Jon Jones questions Tom Aspinall’s winning résumé

And expected to fight Ohio veteran, Miocic in his return later this annum, Jones, who has been the subject of many call outs from interim gold holder, Aspinall, has shot down the incoming British heavyweight – questioning his fighting résumé.

“Only four recognizable opponents, and already the king of England, must be nice,” Jon Jones posted on his official X account. “There will be legendary tales told about you and your infamous call outs.”

“I mean, it doesn’t really work like that,” Jon Jones replied to a user on his X account. “I was a champion when I was 23 years old, you can’t show up at age 30 pretending like you’ve been chasing me your whole life. I have no clue who 90% of his résumé is, meanwhile, I’ve been highlighting UFC events my entire career.”

“It’s a wild world we live in!” Jon Jones continued. “People can be so quick to try to replace you, throw you away, discredit your work. That’s the best thing about them stats or just being able to see the fruits of your labor. Be an absolute savage at what you do, at whatever capaticy that may be. Let the work speak for itself, be undeniable in this world ladies and gentleman. Be absolutely undeniable.” 

As he continues to recover from surgery to address his pectoral tendon tear, Jones also confirmed this week how he has undergone a procedure to address a long-standing series of elbow spurs, facing 10 weeks on the sidelines as a result. 

Who wins in a future heavyweight title fight: Jon Jones or Tom Aspinall?

Stipe Miocic Responds to Tom Aspinall’s Latest Campaign Crusading Against His Fight with Jon Jones: ‘Let’s Talk’

Stipe Miocic and Tom AspinallFormer two-time UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic has responded to Tom Aspinall’s latest campaign against him. Ever since Aspinall…

Stipe Miocic and Tom Aspinall

Former two-time UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic has responded to Tom Aspinall’s latest campaign against him.

Ever since Aspinall walked out of Madison Square Garden with the interim heavyweight title around his waist, the heavy-hitting Brit has had a chip on his shoulder. Typically, an interim champion immediately moves on to unify their gold with that of the undisputed world champion. In this case, that would be Jon ‘Bones’ Jones. However, Aspinall will instead sit on the sidelines as the UFC moves forward with plans to book a heavyweight superfight between Miocic and Jones.

Though Aspinall is expected to fight the winner, that could leave him sitting on the sidelines for the next year. An unacceptable reality for a fighter who just bounced back from a year-long layoff due to an unfortunate knee injury.

As a result, Aspinall has been lambasting both fighters in interviews and on social media. After taking a brief break over the holiday, he got right back to it by going in on Miocic via a series of posts online that disputed the ex-titleholder’s spot against ‘Bones’ in 2024.

“Last time Stipe fought and won, GTA: San Andreas had just come out on PS2,” Aspinall wrote, kicking of a series of scathing remarks. “He will fight next for the undisputed heavyweight title, ahead of me, who’s the interim champ, active and ranked #1 in the world right now. This makes me quite upset.”

Stipe Miocic Opens the door for title unification clash with Tom Aspinall

Miocic has since responded to Tom Aspinall, making it clear that he is not part of the decision-making process in the UFC, nor is he the one responsible for delaying his clash with Jones which was originally scheduled to go down the very night that Aspinall claimed his first UFC title.

“I have never caused a delay in the Jon fight,” Miocic wrote on X. “Tom, once I get this win, let’s talk to unify the belt.”

Most fight fans are under the impression that both Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic have plans to retire once cashing in on their heavyweight title tilt. Perhaps that won’t be the case with Aspinall’s star beginning to rise.

Regardless, it’s frustrating to see one of the division’s most exciting talents sidelined for the foreseeable future to book a bout that makes very little sense in the grand scheme of things.

Tom Aspinall makes case for Jon Jones title fight in UFC comeback: ‘I believe I’m the best right now’

Tom Aspinall campaigns for UFC title fight with Jon Jones it's about who is the best right nowIn a scathing breakdown of the recent inactivity of former two-time heavyweight champion, Stipe Miocic, interim UFC titleholder, Tom…

Tom Aspinall campaigns for UFC title fight with Jon Jones it's about who is the best right now

In a scathing breakdown of the recent inactivity of former two-time heavyweight champion, Stipe Miocic, interim UFC titleholder, Tom Aspinall has campaigned once more for a title unification bout with fellow gold holder, Jon Jones, claiming the duo should clash to determine who is the best in the weight class right now.

Aspinall, who has been sidelined since November, took co-main event honors at UFC 295 in Madison Square Garden, landing the interim heavyweight title with a blistering opening round knockout win over dominant Russian striker, Sergei Pavlovich. 

And in the time since, Atherton native, Aspinall has staked his claim tirelessly for a title unification clash with Jones – who remains sidelined through recovery after undergoing a surgical procedure in order to address a pectoral tendon tear.

However, despite Aspinall’s clamouring, UFC CEO, Dana White insisted the promotion would not abandon a planned title fight between Jones and Miocic later this year.

Pointing to Ohio veteran, Miocic’s recent sidelining since early 2021, Aspinall poked fun at the time the ex-champion has spent away from the sport, waiting for a title fight with Jones.

“Last time Stipe (Miocic) fought and won, GTA: San Andreas had just come out on PS2,” Tom Aspinall posted on his official X account. “He will fight next for the undisputed heavyweight title, ahead of me, who’s the interim champ, active and ranked number one in the world right now. This makes me quite upset.” 

Tom Aspinall stakes claim for Jon Jones fight next

And once more attempting to land himself a title fight with Jones in a unification bout, Aspinall stated that he wanted to determine who was the best heavyweight on the planet – labelling himself as just that. 

“Stipe is one of my favorites,” Tom Aspinall posted. “Loads of respect to him, his résumé is far superior to mine rn (right now). That being said the UFC has never been about this. It’s about who’s the best right now, and I believe that’s me and it’s only right I get to prove it. #FreeAspinall.” 

Who wins in a future title unification bout: Jon Jones or Tom Aspinall?

Tom Aspinall irritated by Stipe Miocic’s absence from UFC: ‘The last time he won GTA: San Andreas just came out’

Tom Aspinall hits out at Stipe Miocic the last time he won GTA: San Andreas just came out UFCInterim heavyweight champion, Tom Aspinall is visibly irritated and becoming impatient with the continued absence of former two-time undisputed…

Tom Aspinall hits out at Stipe Miocic the last time he won GTA: San Andreas just came out UFC

Interim heavyweight champion, Tom Aspinall is visibly irritated and becoming impatient with the continued absence of former two-time undisputed champion, Stipe Miocic, as the Atherton native continues to stake his claim for a quickfire return to the UFC.

Aspinall, the current interim heavyweight champion, most recently co-headlined UFC 295 back in November at Madison Square Garden, landing the interim crown with a blistering opening round knockout win over Russian striking phenom, Sergei Pavlovich.

Tom Aspinall hits out at Stipe Miocic

And calling for either a title unification bout against current champion, Jon Jones next, or even an interim title fight defense against Ohio native, Miocic, Aspinall is apparently growing impatient with the veteran’s continued absence from the Octagon.

“Last time Stipe (Miocic) fought and won, GTA: San Andreas had just come out on PS2,” Tom Aspinall posted on his official X account. “He will fight next for the undisputed heavyweight title, ahead of me, who’s the interim champ, active and ranked number one in the world right now. This makes me quite upset.” 

Yet to make a return to the Octagon since 2021, Miocic has been sidelined since he dropped his undisputed heavyweight championship at UFC 260 – after finding himself on the receiving end of a brutal second round knockout from two-time opponent, Francis Ngannou. 

“Stipe is one of my favorites,” Tom Aspinall posted. “Loads of respect to him, his résumé is far superior to mine rn (right now). That being said the UFC has never been about this. It’s about who’s the best right now, and I believe that’s me and it’s only right I get to prove it. #FreeAspinall.” 

Who wins in a future title clash: Tom Aspinall or Stipe Miocic?