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Tom Aspinall accepts Curtis Blaydes’ title fight callout after UFC 299 win: ‘Don’t gotta ask me twice’

Tom Aspinall was not afraid to immediately accept Curtis Blaydes’ challenge after his terrific victory over Jailton Almeida at…

Tom Aspinall was not afraid to immediately accept Curtis Blaydes’ challenge after his terrific victory over Jailton Almeida at UFC 299.

Almeida entered the fight riding a 5-0 streak in the UFC but quickly met his match in Blaydes. The ‘Razor’ only needed two rounds to get it done and dispatched Almeida with a volley of ferocious hammer fists as ‘Malhadinho’ was struggling for a takedown. The victory over Almeida now makes Blaydes 4-1 in his last five fights.

Curtis Blaydes scores stunning win over 15-fight win streak Jailton Almeida with TKO at UFC 299 Highlights — Mandatory Credit: Chris Unger – Zuffa LLC

Unsurprisingly, given his recent record, Curtis Blaydes took to the mic during his post-fight interview and made his desires clear to the world.

“I believe me and Aspinall have got some unfinished business,” he said. “I’d like to get that one next. That’s my next fight, Tom Aspinall.”

Tom Aspinall Responds to the callout by Curtis Blaydes

After Blaydes’ callout, Aspinall hardly wasted any time before responding. See, the two had actually shared the octagon once before, and things ended very disturbingly, with Aspinall crumbling to the canvas in less than 30 seconds due to a sudden knee injury.

So, it’s no surprise that the now-interim UFC heavyweight champion wouldn’t mind revisiting that battle and officially testing himself against the monster Curtis Blaydes.

Don’t gotta ask me twice. I’m in https://t.co/YXDzLPIVzI

— Tom Aspinall (@AspinallMMA) March 10, 2024

Tom Aspinall’s most recent performance in the cage saw him win UFC gold against the Russian knockout artist Sergei Pavlovich. Pavlovich entered the matchup riding an insane streak of finishes, and Aspinall shocked the world when he knocked out the knockout artist early into the first. In fact, finishing Pavlovich in the first round makes it four consecutive first-round finishes for the young British champion.

While the fight between Blaydes and Aspinall is not official, fans can hope to expect it around the end of the summer or fall. The match would definitely be of epic proportions, and it would give Aspinall the opportunity to act as a true champion by facing one of, if not the most dangerous, prospects his division has to offer.

Would you rather see Tom Aspinall face Curtis Blaydes, Stipe Miocic, or Jon Jones?

Tom Aspinall hilariously fails to break Francis Ngannou’s power cube punch record: ‘I’m thinking about quitting’

Six years ago, Francis Ngannou broke the world record for the hardest punch ever, measuring 129,161 units on a PowerKube….

Six years ago, Francis Ngannou broke the world record for the hardest punch ever, measuring 129,161 units on a PowerKube.

Ngannou’s record still stands to this day (sorry, Joe Pyfer), but that hasn’t stopped a slew of combat sports stars from trying their best to unseat ‘The Predator’ from his power-punching throne. Recently, interim UFC heavyweight titleholder Tom Aspinall made his attempt but failed to produce anything more than a third of the power that Ngannou recorded in 2018.

“If [Ngannou] did 129,000 and I did 40,000, that is ridiculous stuff,” Aspinall said with a smile. “I think there’s something going on then, I’m thinking about quitting!”

Perhaps there was an issue with the machine that day. Maybe Ngannou is just that much of a heavy-handed monster. We may never know.

Tom Aspinall’s Frustrating Run as UFC Interim Heavyweight Champion

In November, Tom Aspinall claimed his first world title, dispatching Sergei Pavlovich in 69 seconds to claim the interim heavyweight belt after the promotion’s undisputed champion, Jon Jones, was forced to bow out of the event due to a torn pectoral. Since then, Aspinall has been sitting on the sidelines looking for someone to fight.

Typically when an undisputed champion returns, they would immediately unify their belt with that of the interim champ. Unfortunately, that won’t be the case for Aspinall as ‘Bones’ prepares for a heavyweight superfight with former two-time titleholder Stipe Miocic. Aspinall may have the chance to fight the winner, but with both Jones and Miocic teasing retirement following their clash, it could leave Aspinall on the bench for the better part of a year with no big-money fight waiting for him once he’s put back into the rotation.

Aspinall’s frustration over the situation has been well-documented but with UFC CEO Dana White going all in on Jones vs. Miocic, there’s not much the big man can do besides sit back and let the chips fall where they may.

Tom Aspinall comments on Jon Jones’ ‘fat’ physique at PFL vs. Bellator event: ‘He doesn’t look in good shape’

Tom Aspinall admitted that Jon Jones doesn’t appear to be “in good shape” after the undisputed UFC heavyweight champion…

Tom Aspinall admitted that Jon Jones doesn’t appear to be “in good shape” after the undisputed UFC heavyweight champion made an appearance at the PFL vs. Bellator event in Saudi Arabia.

Jones has been on the sidelines since capturing the heavyweight title with a quick finish of Ciryl Gane in May. ‘Bones’ was originally scheduled to defend his belt against two-time titleholder Stipe Miocic at UFC 295, but he suffered a pectoral injury in the weeks leading up to the bout, forcing him to bow out.

Despite his inactivity in the Octagon, Jones has been making public appearances, including a trip to Thailand where he visited a few gyms, and at Bellator’s joint event with PFL. Fans quickly noticed that Jones was looking heftier than usual, even with the pounds he packed on for his move from 205 to heavyweight. Though the criticism was mostly light-hearted, former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou — who was also in attendance at the PFL event — noted that ‘Bones’ looked “f*cking fat.”

Reigning over the UFC’s heavyweight division in Jones Jones’ absence, interim champion Tom Aspinall offered his own take on the MMA GOAT’s pleasantly plump appearance.

“Just because he doesn’t look in good shape doesn’t mean that he can’t fight very well because he is Jon Jones and is one of the best to have ever done it,” Aspinall said in an interview with Bettson. “I don’t know Jon personally and I’m not connected to him in that way, so I don’t know where he is mentally. I’d love him to fight and keep going so I get a chance to fight him but who knows.”

Standing 6’5″ and tipping the scales at over 260 pounds, Aspinall knows a thing or two about how quickly a fighter his size can appear to be out of shape after just a few short months of inactivity.

“Yeah, for instance, if I don’t train for a couple of months, I’m going to look in bad shape so that’s the way it is,” Aspinall explained. “As a big guy, you need to be eating a lot of calories and if you’re not burning them, there’s only one place they’re going to go. Jon looks heavy right now but maybe that’s normal for him to look like that outside of training camp.”

Dana White lobbies UFC star Jon Jones to clash with Tom Aspinall: ‘How do you not fight him?’

Promotional CEO, Dana White has questioned how UFC heavyweight champion, Jon Jones could avoid a future title unification clash…

Promotional CEO, Dana White has questioned how UFC heavyweight champion, Jon Jones could avoid a future title unification clash with interim gold holder, Tom Aspinall – particularly if he gets past veteran foe, Stipe Miocic in his expected Octagon comeback this year.

Jones, a current heavyweight champion and former two-time light heavyweight gold holder, has been sidelined since he headlined UFC 285 back in March of last year, landing the vacant title with a dominant opening round submission win over former interim champion, Ciryl Gane.

And slated to return atop UFC 295 back in November at Madison Square Garden, Rochester native, Jones was forced from a long-anticipated clash with the returning Miocic after suffering a pectoral tendon tear two weeks out from fight night.

In his place stepped the aforenoted, Aspinall, who struck interim heavyweight spoils with a stunning first round KO win over Russian knockout artist, Sergei Pavlovich.

Jon Jones has been backed to fight Tom Aspinall by Dana White

And campaigning for his shot at either Jones or Miocic off the back of their expected title coming together later this annum, Aspinall has been backed to fight the victor by UFC CEO, White – who questioned how either veteran could deny the Brit his shot at unifying the titles.

“Yes, this it should happen,” Dana White told Maxx Crosby of a fight between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic. “It’s interesting, I think it depends on who wins. I mean, either guy that wins, how do you not fight (Tom) Aspinall.”

“I think there’s a – it’s almost like a courtesy, if you will,” White explained. “If you’re looked at as one of the G.O.A.T.s, whoever wins this fight, it’s almost like a courtesy thing to give that guy the shot. Give him an opportunity to win or you win and it just absolutely cements – nobody can poke holes in, that nobody can say anything about it.”

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

5 fights that could headline UFC 300

With April’s monumental UFC 300 card still without an official headliner, a host of floated matchups have been tossed…

With April’s monumental UFC 300 card still without an official headliner, a host of floated matchups have been tossed into the ether ahead of the flagship event, from the likes of massive return for ex-champion, Conor McGregor – to light heavyweight kingpin, Alex Pereira, and former middleweight titleholder, striking star, Israel Adesanya.

With the current setup featuring two ‘title’ fights in the form of an undisputed strawweight clash between Chinese pair, Zhang Weili, and Yan Xiaonan – as well as a symbolic BMF championship bout between Justin Gaethje and Max Holloways, fans have called for another championship pairing – or a leftfield return or blockbuster non-title affair to take main event honors.

Promotional CEO, Dana White has claimed he plans two more fights to take place on the April card – including an elusive main event, so let’s take a look at what realistic options the promotion have to take curtain closing honors on the flagship show.

Tom Aspinall vs. Alex Pereira –

Minting himself as the interim heavyweight champion on the same card as Alex Pereira’s ascension to the light heavyweight throne, Tom Aspinall may be forced into a defense of that interim crown while he awaits a title unification fight with Jon Jones.

And naturally, following his rise from the middleweight limit – where he also landed spoils, Pereira has been floated as an opponent to Aspinall in a stunning heavyweight title launch – in a bid to become the first three-weight champion in Octagon antiquity.

With weeks dwindling down to UFC 300 –in which players from Kentucky and elsewhere can place bets on a slew of fights on the stacked card, could White and brass have a perfect main event fight in the form of Aspinall x Pereira sat right in front of them?

Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler –

Former two-weight champion, Conor McGregor may have been steadfast in his claim to a June 29. fight during International Fight Week against Michael Chandler, however, White has firmly put the brakes on that date for his return.

Fans have speculated the promotional boss is simply trying to throw fans off the scent of and impending announcement confirming McGregor’s comeback at UFC 300 against the aforenoted, Chandler.

It seems a perfect-fit for a pay-per-view card of this nature, however, with the inclusion of two championship fights, as well as a stacked card from top-to-bottom, featuring McGregorn an event as such would be a first for the organization, who have relied on the Dubliner’s sole star power in the past to spearhead their cards – rather than building huge events around him.

Dricus du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya –

Another fight seemingly right on the horizon for the promotion – even for the UFC 300 card, is a middleweight championship grudge fight between Dricus du Plessis and the above-mentioned, Israel Adesanya.

Striking gold at UFC 297 back in January, South African champion, du Plessis toppled common-foe, Sean Strickland in Canada, before calling out Adesanya for a title affair.

Attempting to secure a massive title fight with the City Kickboxing staple, du Plessis has since now claimed that a potential longer-than-expected sidelining ro recover from injuries suffered last month, may force him to sit out a UFC 300 card – in place of a UFC Africa event, rumored to take place later this annum.

Conor McGregor vs. Nate Diaz 3 –

This one comes as a rather leftfield suggestion – one that also completely shafts the aforenoted, Chandler.

Long-linked with a trilogy rubber-match with long-time foe, Nate Diaz, Conor McGregor has claimed in the time since their 2016 rematch how he owes the Stockton native a decider in the form of a third fight – and has received backing to feature against the alum at a massive UFC 300 card.

Himself welcoming the possibility of headlining UFC 300 against his Crumlin rival, McGregor – Diaz cited their failed UFC 200 rematch back in 2016, however, the Californian would first and foremost have to re-up with the organization.

Alex Pereira vs. Israel Adesanya III –

In a bid to potentially round out their rivalry once and for all – the possibility of Alex Pereira defending his light heavyweight crown against Israel Adesanya, in place of an injury-stricken, du Plessis at UFC 300 – could be one of the more realistic options to headline the event in April.

1-1 throughout their Octagon rivalry, following two prior victories for Pereira in the pair’s Kickboxing tenures, given the Brazilian’s ascension to light heavyweight supremacy, a title fight at 205 pounds against Nigerian-Kiwi enemy, Adesanya could very well draw in the general fanbase to a massive UFC 300 card.

Adesanya’s most recent outing inside the Octagon came last September in a title fight loss to the previously mentioned, Strickland in a huge upset defeat, however, with time running thin on securing a UFC 300 headliner, promotional brass may look to the ex-two-time gold holder to take main event honors in a light heavyweight sophomore outing against Pereira in a bid to mint himself as a two-weight gold holder.

Tom Aspinall shuts down UFC title fights with Jon Jones, Stipe Miocic: ‘I’m too dangerous, man’

UFC interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall believes there is a reason to why he is not facing either Jon…

UFC interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall believes there is a reason to why he is not facing either Jon Jones or Stipe Miocic.

Following his phenomenal first round knockout over then No.1 ranked Sergei Pavlovich, Aspinall cemented himself the division’s top contender. However, the UFC has instead decided to rebook Miocic Vs. Jones after the latter suffered an injury, leaving Tom Aspinall in a sort of limbo.

Tom Aspinall claims he’s “too dangerous” for Jones – Miocic

Aspinall has tried to push for a fight with either man but remains without an opponent with both Jones and Miocic unwilling to face Aspinall next. Appearing on The MMA Hour, Aspinall believes it is simply because he poses too much danger, but also expressed his deep respect for both guys.

“I’m too dangerous, man,” he said. “Simple. I’m too risky for these guys. Who knows, one day maybe when the shoe’s on the other foot, and I’m on the back end of my career, I get put in a situation like that, I’ll do the same thing. I’m not blaming anybody.

“I want to say how much respect I have for both guys. These guys are friggin’ heroes of mine. That is part of the reason that I would love to get the opportunity to fight them. But if it’s not happening, it’s not happening. And the crying’s over.” (H/T MMA Fighting)

Aspinall revealed that the UFC had even offered him a fight with Miocic, which he accepted, however, the two-time heavyweight champion quickly shot down a fight with the Brit.

“They offered me Stipe, and I was like, of course,” Aspinall said. “And like one hour later, they came back and were like, ‘No, Stipe just wants to fight Jones.’

It’s unclear what exactly the UFC will do with Aspinall, but the 30-year-old might be facing an extended time out.

What would you like to see Tom Aspinall do next?