Tag: tom aspinall

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?

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.