Tag: tom aspinall

Tom Aspinall Not Focusing On UFC 304 Fight Time: ‘If You Can Fight Really Well At Midnight But You Can’t At 4 AM…’

Tom Aspinall recently stated that he is unfazed by the unconventional fight time set for UFC 304, emphasizing that his training camp included acclimating his body to compete at early hours. Aspinall is gearing up to defend his interim heavyweight title in a rematch against his former rival Curtis Blaydes in the co-main event of […]

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Tom Aspinall recently stated that he is unfazed by the unconventional fight time set for UFC 304, emphasizing that his training camp included acclimating his body to compete at early hours.

Aspinall is gearing up to defend his interim heavyweight title in a rematch against his former rival Curtis Blaydes in the co-main event of the upcoming UFC 304 pay-per-view, scheduled for July 27 at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester, England.

The event broadcast is set to begin at approximately 11 PM BST (local time), with the scheduling designed mainly to accommodate North American audiences. Consequently, Aspinall will make his walk to the octagon in the early hours of the next morning (July 28 in Manchester).

Despite his prior entreaties and appeals to the UFC brass to adjust the start time for UFC 304, the 31-year-old Salford native’s plea was ultimately denied. Now, Aspinall appears fully dedicated to his preparation, expressing that he is unperturbed by the event’s timing…

Aspinall Says 4 AM Training Sessions Will Aid Performance At UFC 304

During a recent appearance on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, Aspinall revealed his unique preparation for UFC 304. To condition his body for the early-hour fight, he wakes up at 4 AM every day and incorporates a traditional gypsy method into his training.

“When it gets to about 4 AM, I get my alarm on, I go outside, do a bit shadowboxing in the hay bales,” Aspinall said. “And then I do the old traveler method of dipping your knuckles in petrol for about 20 minutes as the sun’s coming up, and that hardens your knuckles.”

The interim UFC heavyweight champion further added that aside from his morning workout routine to train his body to be alert at 4 AM, he hasn’t been overly concerned with the early start time.

“Look mate, if you can fight really well at 12 o’clock, midnight, but you can’t fight really well at 4 AM, you weren’t that [good] in the first place, in my opinion. There are plenty of times that I’ve traveled across the world and fought in different time zones without even adjusting myself. And now I’ve had a full training camp at home. I’m right there ready to fight, so if that’s an excuse, mate, you’re not that good in the first place.”

Aspinall and Blaydes previously clashed at UFC Fight Night London in July 2022. The fight’s outcome was clouded by a dramatic turn of events, as the Brit endured a TKO defeat caused by an unforeseen knee injury just 15 seconds into the contest.

Aside from that setback, Aspinall boasts seven victories in the Octagon, with notable wins against formidable opponents such as Sergei Pavlovich, Alexander Volkov, and Marcin Tybura.

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Tom Aspinall Assesses Whether Return At UFC 286 In London Is Likely

UFC heavyweight Tom Aspinall has commented on whether or not his return from injury will line up with UFC 286, set for London next March. Aspinall has certainly experienced the highs and lows of the fight game in 2022. While the year started with a vic…

UFC heavyweight Tom Aspinall has commented on whether or not his return from injury will line up with UFC 286, set for London next March. Aspinall has certainly experienced the highs and lows of the fight game in 2022. While the year started with a victory over perennial contender Alexander Volkov in front of his…

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Daniel Cormier: Tom Aspinall Can Create ‘Fan Uprising’ Against Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic At UFC 304

Former two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier still sees a way for Tom Aspinall to stake his claim for the next shot at Jon Jones. Aspinall appeared to put himself in line for an inevitable dream showdown with Jones after capturing the interim heavyweight gold at UFC 295 last November. He did so by knocking out […]

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Former two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier still sees a way for Tom Aspinall to stake his claim for the next shot at Jon Jones.

Aspinall appeared to put himself in line for an inevitable dream showdown with Jones after capturing the interim heavyweight gold at UFC 295 last November. He did so by knocking out Sergei Pavlovich in a matchup that replaced the original title fight between “Bones” and Stipe Miocic.

Despite the need for a unification fight, both Jones and the powers that be have been insistent on the Miocic bout being kept together for the back end of 2024.

The Englishman and a large portion of the MMA community have frequently bemoaned that decision. With minds seemingly made up, Aspinall is focusing his energy elsewhere as he gears up to defend his interim belt in a rematch against Curtis Blaydes on home soil at UFC 304 this month.

But when it comes to pipping Miocic to the post and sharing the Octagon with Jones next, “DC” says hope is not completely lost…

Cormier: Demolition Of Blaydes Could Force UFC Into Jones vs. Aspinall

During a video recently uploaded to his YouTube channel, Cormier gave his latest thoughts on the state of the title picture in the division he formerly ruled over.

While both Jones and the UFC have remained steadfast on rearranging the Miocic fight for the promotion’s next visit to Madison Square Garden in November, “DC” doesn’t believe everything is set in stone just yet.

For that to happen. Cormier thinks UFC 304 will have to pass by without an emphatic and dominant display from the interim titleholder.

“I can’t wait to get to Manchester. Dude, could you imagine if Tom Aspinall just washes out Curtis Blaydes? Then the firestorm that will start to gather for him to fight Jones — or if Curtis Blaydes just demolishes Tom Aspinall? It would be crazy,” Cormier said. “Here’s the difference, though: for there to truly be an uprising, it would have to be Aspinall destroying Blaydes.

“You’ve seen Curtis Blaydes lose before. So people would think, ‘Oh, he beat Tom Aspinall, but we’ve seen him get beat by Francis and lose to other guys.’ … But if Aspinall goes through Blaydes in the way he did Sergei, and he’s only lost because of that injury default, people would lose their minds almost insisting that he and Jones fight,” Cormier continued. “If Tom Aspinall can get through this fight and he’s clean and he looks dominant, there may be such a fan uprising that the UFC may be forced to make Jones vs. Aspinall. I don’t know what that would do for my man Stipe.”

Judging by his recent remarks, Jones evidently doesn’t see much chance of a demolition job in Manchester.

In addition to backing Blaydes to get the job done on July 27, the Rochester native suggested “Razor” was piecing Aspinall up in their 2022 UFC Fight Night headliner. That’s despite the bout lasting just 15 seconds.

Jones has also pointed to reigning light heavyweight kingpin Alex Pereira as a more intriguing option than Aspinall, claiming only UK fans would rather see him fight the interim champ.

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Stipe Miocic Rejects Claim From ‘Crying’ Fans That He’s Holding Up The Heavyweight Division: ‘The UFC Can Pick Who They Want!’

As Tom Aspinall gets ready to defend the interim UFC heavyweight championship against Curtis Blaydes later this month at UFC 304, fight fans will have to remain patient before seeing the actual heavyweight title on the line again. That’s because the expectation is for Jon Jones to defend the title against former two-time champion Stipe […]

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As Tom Aspinall gets ready to defend the interim UFC heavyweight championship against Curtis Blaydes later this month at UFC 304, fight fans will have to remain patient before seeing the actual heavyweight title on the line again.

That’s because the expectation is for Jon Jones to defend the title against former two-time champion Stipe Miocic in the main event of the UFC’s annual November pay-per-view card at New York’s Madison Square Garden. This had been the plan for UFC 295 last year until Jones suffered a torn pectoral tendon during training.

In spite of Aspinall winning the interim belt on this card, however, the seeming desire of the UFC’s to have Jones vs. Miocic at MSG, as well as the pair’s own desire for this fight to happen, resulted in “Bones” not being stripped or vacating the title with his injury — and the UFC’s patience in delaying this fight.

Fight fans on social media, however, have voiced frustration with the situation. Many have expressed a lack of desire to see Jones vs. Miocic, with many preferring a unification bout between Jones and Aspinall — or a champion vs. champion superfight between Jones and Alex Pereira.

Miocic Admits He Would ‘Feel The Same Way’ If He Was Aspinall

In an interview with CBS Sports’ Shakiel Mahjouri, Miocic was asked about the outcry from fans and their impatience or lack of desire for the fight. Miocic’s response was simple — fans need to stop “crying” because this is what he, Jones, and the UFC all want.

“I get it. I’d feel the same way but I’m not taking anything away from him (Aspinall),” Miocic said. “The UFC can do what they want. It is what it is. There’s only one guy I want to fight, it’s Jon Jones. But at the same time, the UFC can pick who they want.

“People don’t know this but there were a couple of other times where I was ready to fight and they gave them another guy. What am I supposed to do? I’m not holding up any division like everyone says. I don’t care. Do what you want and stop crying. I’m not saying he’s crying. I’m just saying like fans and stuff like that.”

Though there has not been an official announcement from the UFC, Miocic confirmed that the plan right now is for him and Jones to face off inside MSG this November.

Jones has repeatedly mentioned the date November 9 on social media, even though a David Gilmour concert (one in a series) is scheduled for that night at the arena.

After dominating the light heavyweight division for most of the 2010s, Jones moved up to heavyweight. After a three-year hiatus from the cage, Jones defeated Ciryl Gane at UFC 285 to capture the then-vacant UFC heavyweight championship.

Miocic, meanwhile, has not fought in the UFC since dropping the heavyweight title to Francis Ngannou at UFC 260 in March 2021. With Andrei Arlovski’s recent departure from the promotion, Miocic has not fought anyone on the current UFC roster.

Continue Reading Stipe Miocic Rejects Claim From ‘Crying’ Fans That He’s Holding Up The Heavyweight Division: ‘The UFC Can Pick Who They Want!’ at MMA News.

What’s Next After UFC 303? Full Confirmed UFC 304 Main Card For Manchester On July 27

UFC 303 is in the books, meaning attention will soon turn to the mixed martial arts leader’s next pay-per-view offering. The promotion was in Las Vegas, Nevada, last week, where the T-Mobile Arena played host to a number of intriguing matchups for International Fight Week. Of note were victories for UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex […]

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UFC 303 is in the books, meaning attention will soon turn to the mixed martial arts leader’s next pay-per-view offering.

The promotion was in Las Vegas, Nevada, last week, where the T-Mobile Arena played host to a number of intriguing matchups for International Fight Week. Of note were victories for UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira, fast-rising featherweight fan favorite Diego Lopes, and undefeated welterweight Ian Garry.

While the aftermath of the June 29 card is currently the talk of the town, it won’t be long until focus sways to the next PPV, and from the light heavyweight title picture to the 170-pound championship conversation.

At UFC 304, set for the newly built Co-op Live in Manchester, England, on July 27, reigning welterweight kingpin Leon Edwards will make the walk for the first time this year, making his third defense of the gold in a rematch against Belal Muhammad.

There will also be title stakes between familiar opponents in the co-headliner, as interim heavyweight champ Tom Aspinall runs it back with Curtis Blaydes two years on from his devastating knee injury opposite “Razor” just 15 seconds into their UFC Fight Night main event in London.

Pimblett, Mokaev, Allen Set The Stage For Title Headliners At UFC 304

Before Edwards and Aspinall defend their championships on home soil in the main and co-main events, respectively, a number of other high-profile Brits will take to the Octagon looking to make the post of their position on the major card.

That includes up-and-coming lightweight Paddy Pimblett, who gets his toughest test to date in the form of the #15-ranked Bobby Green. After extending his unbeaten UFC record to 5-0 by getting the better of Tony Ferguson, the Liverpool native has the chance to break through into the top 15 against “King,” who most recently outpointed Jim Miller on the milestone UFC 300 card this past April.

Prior to that, Dagestan-born Brit Muhammad Mokaev will look to stake his claim for a first shot at the flyweight gold when he meets former Rizin champion Manel Kape. “The Young Punisher” most recently edged past ex-title challenger Alex Perez at the Apex in March. “Starboy,” meanwhile, hasn’t competed since a victory at UFC 293 in Sydney last September, with a weight miss and injury subsequently scrapping his two scheduled rematches with Matheus Nicolau this year.

Another local favorite will open the main card, with Ipswich native Arnold Allen looking to get back on track. Following a valiant effort in defeat against Max Holloway in Kansas City last April, “Almighty” fell on the wrong side of a tight and debated decision opposite Movsar Evloev at UFC 297 in Toronto, Canada, this past January. To bounce back, Allen must halt the resurgence of striking specialist Giga Chikadze, who most recently returned to winning ways at the expense of Alex Caceres in Singapore last August.

See below for the full UFC 304 card, as it stands.

Main Card:

  • Leon Edwards (C) vs. Belal Muhammad (welterweight championship main event)
  • Tom Aspinall (C) vs. Curtis Blaydes  (interim heavyweight championship co-main event)
  • Bobby Green vs. Paddy Pimblett (lightweight)
  • Muhammad Mokaev vs. Manel Kape (flyweight)
  • Arnold Allen vs. Giga Chikadze (featherweight)

Preliminary Card:

  • Nathaniel Wood vs. Daniel Pineda (featherweight)
  • Molly McCann vs. Bruna Brasil (women’s strawweight)
  • Caolán Loughran vs. Ramon Tavares (bantamweight)
  • Mick Parkin vs. ?ukasz Brzeski (heavyweight)

Early Preliminary Card:

  • Oban Elliott vs. Preston Parsons (welterweight)
  • Christian Leroy Duncan vs. Gregory Rodrigues (middleweight)
  • Sam Patterson vs. Kiefer Crosbie (welterweight)
  • Shauna Bannon vs. Ravena Oliveira (women’s strawweight)
  • Modestas Bukauskas vs. Marcin Prachnio (light heavyweight) 
Image: Stephen R. Sylvanie/USA TODAY Sports

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‘Darren Till Will Be Champion One Day’ Says Michael Bisping

Darren TillFormer UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping is still backing Darren Till to become a UFC champion despite his countryman’s recent woes inside the Octagon. After scoring six straight wins under the UFC banner, Darren Till was rewarded with an opportunity at the promotion’s welterweight championship. At UFC 228, ‘The Gorilla’ met then-champion Tyron Woodley. Unfortunately, […]

Darren Till

Former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping is still backing Darren Till to become a UFC champion despite his countryman’s recent woes inside the Octagon.

After scoring six straight wins under the UFC banner, Darren Till was rewarded with an opportunity at the promotion’s welterweight championship. At UFC 228, ‘The Gorilla’ met then-champion Tyron Woodley. Unfortunately, Till would come up short in his lone title opportunity, losing by way of second-round submission. That loss was the first in a string of bad luck for the fighter who opted to move up to middleweight after a knockout loss to Jorge Masvidal six months after facing Woodley.

Till won his first foray at 185 pounds, defeating Kelvin Gastelum via split decision. Since then, the Liverpudlian has dropped back-to-back fghts against Robert Whittaker and Derek Brunson. Despite being 1-4 in his last five, ‘The Count’ still believes that Daren Till will be a world champion.

“Darren Till – you’re laughing at me because he’s 1-3 in his last four – Darren Till will be champion one day,” Bisping said on his YouTube channel. “His striking is phenomenal. His mind is strong. He’s just had a bit of a bad run. And again, 29 years old. He’ll be champ.”

Darren Till is Not The Only UK Fighter That Michael Bisping Supports

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Bisping also addressed the misconception that he is “salty” over Leon Edwards‘ big UFC welterweight title victory over Kamaru Usman at UFC 279. While ‘The Count’ admittedly took exception to ‘Rocky’ seemingly dismissing Bisping as the UFC’s first UK-born champion, ‘The Count’ has had nothing, but good things to say about the new welterweight king.

“People seem to think I’m salty that Leon (Edwards) won,” Bisping said. “I am over the goddamn moon for Leon, and I support every fighter from the U.K. Of course I wasn’t going to be the first and only one. We’re going to have a slew of champions coming from the U.K.“

Bisping also name-dropped No. 6 ranked heavyweight contender Tom Aspinall as a fighter he believes will be a heavyweight world champion.

“Tom Aspinall, as we know, sadly really hurt his leg. But Tom will be champion. He will be back. He’s going to rehab, he’s going to have the surgery, he’s going to be coming back six months, nine months, maybe a year. But he’s only 29 years old and he will be champion of the heavyweight division – make no mistake. Mark my words.”

Do you believe Darren Till and/or Tom Aspinall will be UFC world champions someday?