Tag: tom aspinall

Tom Aspinall plays down chances of UFC 300 super fight with Alex Pereira: ‘He wants to defend his own title

Tom Aspinall plays down UFC 300 fight with Alex Pereira he wants to defend his own titleFollowing dismissal of a potential heavyweight divisional leap against interim division titleholder, Tom Aspinall at a stunning UFC 300…

Tom Aspinall plays down UFC 300 fight with Alex Pereira he wants to defend his own title

Following dismissal of a potential heavyweight divisional leap against interim division titleholder, Tom Aspinall at a stunning UFC 300 turnaround in April, Alex Pereira’s desire to defend his own light heavyweight crown has put the kibosh on a potential superfight, according to the British star. 

Aspinall, who minted himself as the interim heavyweight champion back in November at UFC 295, snapped the winning streak of Russian knockout artist, Sergei Pavlovich with the pair’s impromptu title affair, landing his own first round knockout stoppage.

On that same card, in a headlining bracket, former middleweight titleholder, Pereira landed a second Octagon title, winning the vacant light heavyweight crown with a second round TKO win over former champion, Jiri Prochazka.

Tom Aspinall plays down UFC 300 fight with Alex Pereira

However, amid links to a potential UFC 300 clash with Aspinall – with fans attempting to break down a cryptic ‘30+300=3’ post on the Brazilian’s official social media, Pereira insisted that while a heavyweight move is one he hopes to make, it will not come as swiftly as April.

And commenting on his own fighting future, Atherton native, Aspinall claimed that a fight with Pereira was off the cards as soon as April, posting “He wants to defend his 205 pound title, which I understand.” on his official X account. 

As far as his own next outing, Aspinall, who wants to remain busy amid the absence of fellow champion, Jon Jones through a pectoral tendon tear ahead of a November return against Stipe Miocic, has identified an interim title defense against either Jailton Almeida, or former-foe, Curtis Blaydes next – who both share the Octagon at UFC 299 in March. 

Would you like to see Tom Aspinall fight Alex Pereira in the future?

Tom Aspinall plays down chances of UFC 300 super fight with Alex Pereira: ‘He wants to defend his own title

Tom Aspinall plays down UFC 300 fight with Alex Pereira he wants to defend his own titleFollowing dismissal of a potential heavyweight divisional leap against interim division titleholder, Tom Aspinall at a stunning UFC 300…

Tom Aspinall plays down UFC 300 fight with Alex Pereira he wants to defend his own title

Following dismissal of a potential heavyweight divisional leap against interim division titleholder, Tom Aspinall at a stunning UFC 300 turnaround in April, Alex Pereira’s desire to defend his own light heavyweight crown has put the kibosh on a potential superfight, according to the British star. 

Aspinall, who minted himself as the interim heavyweight champion back in November at UFC 295, snapped the winning streak of Russian knockout artist, Sergei Pavlovich with the pair’s impromptu title affair, landing his own first round knockout stoppage.

On that same card, in a headlining bracket, former middleweight titleholder, Pereira landed a second Octagon title, winning the vacant light heavyweight crown with a second round TKO win over former champion, Jiri Prochazka.

Tom Aspinall plays down UFC 300 fight with Alex Pereira

However, amid links to a potential UFC 300 clash with Aspinall – with fans attempting to break down a cryptic ‘30+300=3’ post on the Brazilian’s official social media, Pereira insisted that while a heavyweight move is one he hopes to make, it will not come as swiftly as April.

And commenting on his own fighting future, Atherton native, Aspinall claimed that a fight with Pereira was off the cards as soon as April, posting “He wants to defend his 205 pound title, which I understand.” on his official X account. 

As far as his own next outing, Aspinall, who wants to remain busy amid the absence of fellow champion, Jon Jones through a pectoral tendon tear ahead of a November return against Stipe Miocic, has identified an interim title defense against either Jailton Almeida, or former-foe, Curtis Blaydes next – who both share the Octagon at UFC 299 in March. 

Would you like to see Tom Aspinall fight Alex Pereira in the future?

UFC light heavyweight champ Alex Pereira reveals the meaning behind his cryptic ’30+300=3? post

Alex PereiraAlex Pereira offered some insight into his cryptic Instagram post. Earlier this month, ‘Poatan’ had fight fans in a…

Alex Pereira

Alex Pereira offered some insight into his cryptic Instagram post.

Earlier this month, ‘Poatan’ had fight fans in a frenzy as they tried to interpret a confusing mathematical equation that they believed held some information regarding his next appearance inside the Octagon. Pereira wrote “30+300=3” on social media. It didn’t take long for fans to link the second set of numbers, suggesting that the former middleweight titleholder was sharing his intentions of pursuing a third world title at the promotion’s next big milestone event, UFC 300, on April 13.

With Pereira already claiming gold at 185 and 205, fans quickly concluded that he would pursue three-division glory via a move to heavyweight for a potential clash with current interim titleholder Tom Aspinall.

Aspinall added some fuel to the fire when he shared a festive image of himself sitting alongside Alex Pereira, suggesting that there could be some truth to the theory.

However, it appears as though Alex Pereira’s post had nothing to do with the UFC or his desire to collect a third belt. It was actually something about a dream he had and winning a motorcycle. It’s all a bit confusing so feel free to hear the ‘Brazilian Boogeyman’ explain it courtesy of the video clip below:

Pereira vs. Aspinall Still Makes Sense for UFC 300

After capturing the middleweight title with a shocking fifth-round knockout of Israel Adesanya at UFC 281, Alex Pereira made the move to light heavyweight to claim the vacant 205-pound crown against former champion Jiri Prochazka at the promotion’s 30th-anniversary showcase in MSG.

That same night, Aspinall stepped into the co-main event spotlight on two weeks’ notice for an interim heavyweight championship clash with Russian knockout artist Sergei Pavlovich. Aspinall only needed 69 seconds to put away Pavlovich and claim his first UFC title.

With Pereira and Aspinall now sitting on the sidelines waiting for the returns of Jamahal Hill and Jon Jones, we see no reason why they can’t keep each other busy with an epic champion vs. champion showdown at what is already being touted as the biggest event in UFC history.

Michael Bisping Says Tom Aspinall will beat Jon Jones to Become ‘Greatest Heavyweight the UFC has ever seen’

Tom Aspinall and Michael BispingMichael Bisping believes Tom Aspinall is on the cusp of becoming the greatest heavyweight in UFC history. After undisputed…

Tom Aspinall and Michael Bisping

Michael Bisping believes Tom Aspinall is on the cusp of becoming the greatest heavyweight in UFC history.

After undisputed heavyweight champion Jon Jones bowed out of his originally scheduled headliner at UFC 295 due to a pectoral injury, Aspinall was thrust into the co-main event with Russian knockout artist Sergei Pavlovich, the winner set to walk away as the promotion’s new interim world champion.

It only took 69 seconds for the UK star to put away Pavlovich in spectacular fashion and emerge as one of the division’s next big stars.

Speaking about Apsinall’s potential hours before his highlight-reel-worthy win over Pavlovich, Michael Bisping suggested that not only would Aspinall handle his Russian opposition inside Madison Square Garden, but that he would deliver a similar performance against Jon Jones when the two titans inevitably meet

“I think he beats Jon Jones if that comes up, Bisping said during the UFC 295 pre-show. “And I think he dominates the heavyweight division for quite some time, and he will retire as the greatest heavyweight champion that the UFC has ever seen. I’m serious.

I’ve always said this about Tom and after Marcin Tybura, I said in the post-fight show, I said Jon Jones couldn’t hold a candle to Tom Aspinall. And people came after me online and I understand why – this is Jon Jones” (h/t EuroSport.com).

Tom Aspinall Will Have to Wait for his shot at Jon Jones

Typically, an interim champion immediately moves on to fight the reigning undisputed titleholder upon their return. Unfortunately, this will not be one of those cases.

Following Aspinall’s win, Dana White confirmed that the promotion is still planning to move forward with the originally scheduled UFC 295 headliner between Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic. That contest will occur at some point in 2024 with Aspinall expected to face the winner.

“I’m high on Tom and I’m trying to will it into existence as well, and I do believe that he will win. However, you’ve got to respect the threat on the other side,” Bisping added.

Aspinall recently teased a potential heavyweight clash with current 205-pound titleholder Alex Pereira for the promotion’s next milestone event, UFC 300, as Jon Jones’ return to the Octagon is still up in the air.

Tom Aspinall and Alex Pereira Tease potential heavyweight title clash at UFC 300

Tom Aspinall and Alex Pereira UFC 300It seems like reigning UFC champions Tom Aspinall and Alex Pereira are teasing something big for the promotion’s milestone…

Tom Aspinall and Alex Pereira UFC 300

It seems like reigning UFC champions Tom Aspinall and Alex Pereira are teasing something big for the promotion’s milestone event next year.

Days removed from the reveal that UFC 300 would go down on Saturday, April 13, CEO Dana White announced three big matchups for the massive event, including the returns of former titleholders Jiri Prochazka and Aljamain Sterling.

No championship bouts have been revealed for the card as of yet, but it appears that current interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall and reigning light heavyweight king Alex Pereira are dropping some pretty serious hints about a potential clash between the two knockout artists.

Pereira kicked things off with a somewhat subtle post on X, signaling his desire to become the promotion’s first-ever three-division world champion. Aspinall followed that up with a not-so-subtle post on Instagram, showing off a doctored image of himself sitting alongside Pereira with some holiday accessories sprinkled in.

Aspinall currently finds himself in a strange situation. He captured the interim heavyweight title following a first-round knockout of Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 295 in November. The originally scheduled main event between undisputed titleholder Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic was scrapped after ‘Bones’ suffered a torn pectoral whilst training. That forced the promotion to slap together the interim title fight on a few weeks’ notice.

Typically, the interim champion moves on to unify their belt with the undisputed champ. However, that won’t be the case this time around as the UFC is sticking to its plan of booking Jones vs. Miocic in 2024. The winner would then fight Aspinall in a unification clash.

That could leave Aspinall on the shelf for as long as a year.

Alex Pereira is in a similar pickle after capturing the light heavyweight title against former champion Jiri Prochazka at MSG. ‘Poatan’ is expected to clash with Jamahal Hill next, but after ‘Sweet Dreams’ ruptured his Achilles in July, there is currently no timetable for his return. With Pereira’s next fight at 205 uncertain, a move to heavyweight for a history-making matchup against Tom Aspinall could be just what the doctor ordered for UFC 300.

Currently, there are three fights announced for the highly anticipated card in Las Vegas, including:

  • Jiri Prochazka vs. Aleksandar Rakic (light heavyweight bout)
  • Aljamain Sterling vs. Calvin Kattar (featherweight bout)
  • Bo Nickal vs. Cody Brundage (middleweight bout)

Do you want to see Tom Aspinall defend his interim heavyweight world championship against Alex Pereira at UFC 300?

Alex Pereira sends fans into raptures with social media post amid links to UFC 300 return, third title fight

Alex Pereira sends fans into raptures links to UFC 300 return third title fightLinked with a potential feature on a monumental UFC 300 card next April, undisputed light heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira…

Alex Pereira sends fans into raptures links to UFC 300 return third title fight

Linked with a potential feature on a monumental UFC 300 card next April, undisputed light heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira has sent eagle-eyed fans into raptures across social media, with many claiming the Brazilian’s cryptic “30+300=3” post on his Instagram, refers to a heavyweight divisional move and third championship siege in the Octagon.

Pereira, a former undisputed middleweight champion and newly-minted light heavyweight titleholder, headlined UFC 295 back in November most recently, defeating former champion, Jiri Prochazka with a massive second round TKO win over the Czech Republic native.

And linked with an eventual heavyweight divisional move in the future – particularly by former light heavyweight champion and close friend, Glover Teixeira, Pereira was also backed to prove problematic to incumbent titleholder, Jon Jones by his compatriot, Fabricio Werdum.

Alex Pereira linked with UFC 300 return

Creating much fervor across social media, Sao Paulo knockout artist, Pereira posted “30+300=3” on his official Instagram Stories – leading some fans to speculate that the Brazilian means he will be adding 30 pounds to his frame to make the heavyweight limit for a UFC 300 card in April, in a bid to add a third championship belt to his Octagon trophy cabinet. 

Also linked with a light heavyweight title defense against former two-time Octagon foe, Israel Adesanya off the back of his UFC 295 victory and subsequent call out, with the latter gone radio silent on a rubber match, Pereira admits he’s moved on from the idea of a rubber match for the time being.

“It doesn’t matter for me,” Alex Pereira said. “I called him (Israel Adesanya) out in the cage after the title win, and I wanted to give him the chance, and I saw he did not give me any respect for this – he was laughing about it and making some jokes.”

“So for me, it doesn’t matter anymore,” Alex Pereira explained. “I gave him the chance. If he comes up, nice; if he doesn’t, it doesn’t matter.” 

Do you expect Alex Pereira to feature at UFC 300 next year?