Tag: tom aspinall

Conor McGregor blasts Tom Aspinall ahead of UFC return: ‘Mush head rat, keep your comments to yourself’

Conor McGregor Tom Aspinall UFCFormer two-weight UFC champion, Conor McGregor has hit out at heavyweight division contender, Tom Aspinall, urging him to mind his own business after the latter claimed he was uninterested if McGregor competed again. McGregor, a former undisputed lightweight and featherweight champion under the banner of the UFC, is scheduled to serve as a coach on […]

Conor McGregor Tom Aspinall UFC

Former two-weight UFC champion, Conor McGregor has hit out at heavyweight division contender, Tom Aspinall, urging him to mind his own business after the latter claimed he was uninterested if McGregor competed again.

McGregor, a former undisputed lightweight and featherweight champion under the banner of the UFC, is scheduled to serve as a coach on The Ultimate Fighter 31 against Michael Chandler – ahead of an end-of-season fight at the welterweight limit, potentially as soon as September.

As for Aspinall, the former Cage Warriors contender suffered his first Octagon loss back in July of last year against Curtis Blaydes in the main event of UFC Fight Night London, suffering a debilitating knee injury inside just 15 seconds of the opening round.

Conor McGregor hits out at Tom Aspinall in surprising attack

Commenting on McGregor’s impending return to the UFC later this year, Aspinall voiced his disinterest in the Dubliner’s comeback, explaining how he’s more or less “over” the Crumlin native’s career.

“Honestly, I’m not that interested in it,” Tom Aspinall said of Conor McGregor’s comeback during an interview with Jamal Niaz. “I’ll still watch it but I’m kinda over McGregor. For me, there’s way more exciting fights out there than that. The heavyweight fight coming up that I’m super invested in, the London card [UFC 286], Leon Edwards. I could sit here and name them all day. There’s another 20 fights I’m more interested in. Will I watch it? Yeah, but if it gets cancelled, I won’t be upset about it.” (Transcribed by Middleeasy) 

In a now-deleted response to Aspinall, McGregor urged the Atherton native to keep his opinions under wraps. 

“@AspinallMMA (Tom Aspinall) mush head rat keep your comments to yourself,” Conor McGregor posted. 

12-3 as a professional, Aspinall has landed an impressive five Octagon triumphs before his loss against Blaydes back in July of last year, including wins over the likes of former champion, Andrei Arlovski, recent headliner, Sergey Spivak, and Russian striker, Alexander Volkov.

Rising UK Contender Lerone Murphy Feels Jon Jones ‘Deserves’ Special Treatment To Avoid Tom Aspinall Fight

Lerone Murphy recently suggested that Jon Jones warrants special deference to avoid a potential showdown with Tom Aspinall. Aspinall’s patience appears to be wearing thin as he persistently calls out Jones for a UFC heavyweight title unification bout. The interim heavyweight champion has been unreservedly articulate about his eagerness to challenge “Bones” ever since he […]

Continue Reading Rising UK Contender Lerone Murphy Feels Jon Jones ‘Deserves’ Special Treatment To Avoid Tom Aspinall Fight at MMA News.

Lerone Murphy recently suggested that Jon Jones warrants special deference to avoid a potential showdown with Tom Aspinall.

Aspinall’s patience appears to be wearing thin as he persistently calls out Jones for a UFC heavyweight title unification bout. The interim heavyweight champion has been unreservedly articulate about his eagerness to challenge “Bones” ever since he claimed the title at UFC 295 last November.

However, “Bones” has shown little interest in the much-anticipated matchup with Aspinall. Instead of considering a showdown, the reigning heavyweight champion has made it clear that his focus is firmly on fighting Stipe Miocic, a bout expected to headline UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden this November.

Jones has often teased the possibility of retiring after conquering an esteemed former heavyweight champion like Miocic, which would further solidify his status as the GOAT. Meanwhile, “The Miracle” believes that with everything Jones has already accomplished in the sport, there’s no need for him to prove himself against Aspinall…

Murphy Thinks Jones Enjoys Perks Uncommon To Other Fighters

During a recent interview with Title Sports Network, Murphy weighed in on the escalating tension between Jones and Aspinall, noting that things have taken a turn for the worse. The undefeated featherweight contender remarked that Aspinall should have taken a tougher stance from the start. However, he doubts his fellow countryman will secure the fight he’s after, as Jones enjoys certain well-earned privileges from the UFC.

“I think he should have been doing that from the get-go,” Murphy said. “Obviously, he’s being respectful of the greatest of all time, and I feel like he should be doing that, and it’s good, but I don’t think he’s going to get the fight. But yeah, it’s good for him to do. I feel like Jon’s getting the treatment he deserves, though, but he’s getting a different treatment than everybody else because usually if there’s an interim champion, you have to come back and fight the champion.”

Jones last graced the Octagon in March 2023, where he claimed the heavyweight title with a decisive submission victory over Ciryl Gane at UFC 285. He was set to defend his title for the first time against Miocic at UFC 295, but “Bones” was compelled to withdraw just two weeks before the fight due to a severe pectoral injury.

Continue Reading Rising UK Contender Lerone Murphy Feels Jon Jones ‘Deserves’ Special Treatment To Avoid Tom Aspinall Fight at MMA News.

Tom Aspinall Significant Favorite For Potential Alex Pereira Fight After UFC 307

Alex Pereira’s latest victorious performance didn’t do enough to convince oddsmakers that he could be competitive against the UFC’s interim heavyweight king. Pereira boosted his claim for 2024’s Fighter of the Year by recording a third successful title defense in quick succession at Saturday’s UFC 307 pay-per-view in Utah. Having turned away threats to his […]

Continue Reading Tom Aspinall Significant Favorite For Potential Alex Pereira Fight After UFC 307 at MMA News.

Alex Pereira’s latest victorious performance didn’t do enough to convince oddsmakers that he could be competitive against the UFC’s interim heavyweight king.

Pereira boosted his claim for 2024’s Fighter of the Year by recording a third successful title defense in quick succession at Saturday’s UFC 307 pay-per-view in Utah.

Having turned away threats to his reign from Jamahal Hill and Ji?í Procházka, Salt Lake City’s Delta Center played host to Pereira’s return, as he was tasked with stalling the title ambitions of Khalil Rountree.

Despite being down two rounds early on, “Poatan” ultimately achieved that feat by rallying to brutally stop “The War Horse” in round four.

While celebrations in the Brazilian’s camp will be ongoing, talk has unsurprisingly turned to what could lie next in his future.

Aspinall vs. Pereira Odds Have ‘Poatan’ At +300

There appears to be three options for Pereira: a continued stay at 205 pounds to defend his belt, a return to middleweight in pursuit of regaining the 185-pound title, or an attempt at history up at heavyweight.

When it comes to the last of those options — which doesn’t seem to be on the table judging by Pereira’s post-fight remarks — oddsmakers are evidently not fancying the light heavyweight champ’s chances.

Future odds posted by BetOnline.ag have Pereira as a significant +300 underdog in a possible bout with Interim UFC Heavyweight Champion Tom Aspinall.

Aspinall has held the interim gold since last November. He’s been unable to unify the title owing to Jon Jones’ reluctance to fight him, with “Bones” and the UFC instead favoring a rescheduled showdown with Stipe Miocic next month.

In the meantime, the Brit has successfully defended his strap against Curtis Blaydes this past summer. Should Jones retain his place on the throne and subsequently retire this year, Aspinall could find himself promoted to undisputed status.

Continue Reading Tom Aspinall Significant Favorite For Potential Alex Pereira Fight After UFC 307 at MMA News.

UFC’s Mario Bautista Predicts Fantasy Jon Jones, Alex Pereira, & Tom Aspinall Tournament (Exclusive)

The next UFC heavyweight title fight would appear to be pitting arguably the greatest of all time against the best fighter we have seen in this weight class inside the Octagon. Despite the pedigree that both Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic bring to the tabl…

The next UFC heavyweight title fight would appear to be pitting arguably the greatest of all time against the best fighter we have seen in this weight class inside the Octagon. Despite the pedigree that both Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic bring to the table, there are two other names that the majority of fans […]

Continue Reading UFC’s Mario Bautista Predicts Fantasy Jon Jones, Alex Pereira, & Tom Aspinall Tournament (Exclusive) at MMA News.

UFC Vet Rejects Notion Jon Jones’ Legacy Will Be Affected By Avoiding Tom Aspinall: ‘It Will Be Forgotten’ 

According to one record-holding former UFC fighter, Jon Jones isn’t at risk of hampering his legacy should he continue avoiding Tom Aspinall. The heavyweight title picture remains one of the most prominent and polarizing discussions currently at the surface of the MMA community, largely centering around the presence of two champions. First came Jones, who […]

Continue Reading UFC Vet Rejects Notion Jon Jones’ Legacy Will Be Affected By Avoiding Tom Aspinall: ‘It Will Be Forgotten’  at MMA News.

According to one record-holding former UFC fighter, Jon Jones isn’t at risk of hampering his legacy should he continue avoiding Tom Aspinall.

The heavyweight title picture remains one of the most prominent and polarizing discussions currently at the surface of the MMA community, largely centering around the presence of two champions.

First came Jones, who was crowned in his divisional debut 18 months ago. More recently, Aspinall captured interim gold by knocking out Sergei Pavlovich, a matchup that came about at Madison Square Garden after an injury to Jones delayed his clash with the returning Stipe Miocic.

Since then, one man has recorded their first successful title defense, with Aspinall emphatically exacting his redemption against Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304 in Manchester this past July.

But despite the presence of an interim titleholder who has already withstood one challenge, both Jones and the UFC remain steadfast on rescheduling the bout against Miocic. The pair are now expected to give their matchup a second go at reaching the cage this November, once again at the annual MSG-held pay-per-view.

That fact has left Aspinall and many fans, fighters, and pundits bemused. Some have even gone as far as to suggest that avoiding a unification fight with his interim counterpart will leave a negative, lasting impact on Jones’ legacy.

According to Matt Brown, news isn’t remembered long enough for that to be the case…

Brown Doubts Jones ‘Ducking’ Aspinall Will Be Remembered

During the latest episode of MMA Fighting’s The Fighter vs. The Writer, Brown gave his take on the current championship conversation at heavyweight.

“The Immortal,” who retired earlier this year as the record holder for most knockouts and finishes in UFC welterweight history, believes that should Jones defeat Miocic at UFC 309 and subsequently retire over meeting the challenge of Aspinall, it would simply be “forgotten” down the line.

“The fact is, it will be forgotten,” Brown said. “No matter what Tom does. If Jon retires after he beats Stipe, we’re in the age of news is news for a day. Maybe for a day or two, there will be some people on Reddit saying Jon was scared of Tom or whatever. By next week or whatever…he’ll still be the greatest ever. No one’s going to be like, ‘Oh, Jon’s not the greatest ever because he didn’t fight Tom Aspinall.’ I don’t think a single person’s going to say that. They’re just going to talk a little bit of silly stuff for a couple of days and it will be completely forgotten.

“Correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t remember Jon ever saying, ‘I’m out here now to try to be the greatest heavyweight.’ He’s like, ‘I’m the greatest fighter, I got that in the bag. I’m the greatest fighter of all time. I’m going to fight a couple heavyweight fights. Yeah, I might be a little bit picky about who I fight. I’m the greatest fighter of all time, b*tch. I get to pick my fights now,’” Brown continued. “I don’t remember him ever saying, ‘I’m out here to attempt to prove I can also be the greatest heavyweight.’ He’s like, ‘No, I’m moving up to get a couple paydays, getting some big fights, having some fun, not have to cut weight, and move on with my life.’”

Talk of Jones’ potential GOAT status has been a prominent topic as of late, largely thanks to UFC CEO Dana White’s staunch campaigning for the heavyweight kingpin to be moved back to top position in the pound-for-pound pecking order.

It remains to be seen whether Aspinall will get his wish to share the cage with Jones. But as Brown noted, the Rochester native appears to be paying more attention to his overall place in MMA lore as opposed to a heavyweight legacy.

Continue Reading UFC Vet Rejects Notion Jon Jones’ Legacy Will Be Affected By Avoiding Tom Aspinall: ‘It Will Be Forgotten’  at MMA News.

Jon Jones Has NSFW Response To Tom Aspinall Labelling Him The ‘Champion Of Fight Dodging’: ‘I Absolutely Guarantee He Will Not Win…’

The war of words between UFC heavyweight champions Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall is still going on. despite the fact that it seems unlikely that they will fight one another. Interim champ Aspinall has previously said that he is no longer focused on fighting “Bones” before he calls time on his career. Many expect that […]

Continue Reading Jon Jones Has NSFW Response To Tom Aspinall Labelling Him The ‘Champion Of Fight Dodging’: ‘I Absolutely Guarantee He Will Not Win…’ at MMA News.

The war of words between UFC heavyweight champions Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall is still going on. despite the fact that it seems unlikely that they will fight one another.

Interim champ Aspinall has previously said that he is no longer focused on fighting “Bones” before he calls time on his career.

Many expect that Jones will retire after fighting former champ Stipe Miocic later this year. following a long recovery process from the injury that forced him out of his title defense at UFC 295 last year.

While the Brit may be ready to move on, he has become more vocal when taking little digs at Jones which, in fairness, is only a response to some of the comments that Jones has been making.

In a recent social media clip that was posted by Sport Bible, Aspinall was asked who the champion of ducking fights is and obviously, he had an answer already in mind.

“Fight dodging? That would have to be Jon Jones wouldn’t it. We know he’s trying to fight old man Stipe, well he’s going to fight old man Stipe so he’s the fight dodger around here.”

Jon Jones Hits Back At Tom Aspinall’s ‘Fight Dodger’ Comment With Fiery Response

Jones responded to their particular statement from Aspinall directly via a reply underneath the post.

Most of his comments about the interim champion have come from interactions with MMA fans on X but this time, he fired straight back at the interim titleholder and didn’t hold back either.

In a NSFW post, the consensus greatest of all time reminded his fellow heavyweight and the fans just what he has accomplished in his career.

He also referenced how Aspinall won’t stop talking about him which appears to be true on both sides, despite Jones being lined up to fight Miocic next.

“This dude literally has my large black c*** in his mouth every week. I’m flattered. I absolutely guarantee he will not win more world championships than me. That’s truly all that matters at the end of the day. There’s been good champions, no one like me. I sleep good at night.”

Read also: Tom Aspinall Sneakily Reveals Why He Looks Up To Stipe Miocic More Than Jon Jones: ‘Don’t Make Me Say It!’

Continue Reading Jon Jones Has NSFW Response To Tom Aspinall Labelling Him The ‘Champion Of Fight Dodging’: ‘I Absolutely Guarantee He Will Not Win…’ at MMA News.