Tag: tom aspinall

‘Nobody Likes Tom’ – UFC Fighter Tells Aspinall to ‘Stop Whining’ About Jon Jones

‘Nobody Likes Tom’ - UFC Fighter Tells Aspinall to ‘Stop Whining’ About Jon JonesDamon Jackson is tired of hearing Tom Aspinall whine about Jon Jones supposedly ducking him. On Saturday night, Jones…

‘Nobody Likes Tom’ - UFC Fighter Tells Aspinall to ‘Stop Whining’ About Jon Jones

Damon Jackson is tired of hearing Tom Aspinall whine about Jon Jones supposedly ducking him.

On Saturday night, Jones will return to the Octagon for the first time since his quickfire submission victory over Ciryl Gane to claim the undisputed heavyweight title. To the delight of some and the chagrin of many, ‘Bones’ will finally face two-time titleholder Stipe Miocic at UFC 309.

Meanwhile, interim champion Tom Aspinall will continue to sit on the sidelines and wait to see if his next fight will be against Jones, Miocic, or possibly neither.

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Aspinall has been quite vocal about his displeasure with the situation at heavyweight. Specifically, Jones avoiding a title unification clash with him in order to pursue a legacy fight against Miocic that amounts to very little in the grand scheme of things.

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Damon Jackson insists aspinall’s constant complains make him look ‘petty’

And while a majority of fighters and fans have seemingly sided with Aspinall, Damon Jackson is definitely not one of them.

“Nobody likes Tom, I hate to say it,” Jackson told Parry Punch. “I think he’s a great fighter, for sure. He’s annoying as f*ck. He gets so whiny about the whole Jon Jones thing. You’re not going to say anything that’s going to draw him out to fight you at all. If he wants to fight you, he’ll fight. If he doesn’t, then just shut up about it because it’s not going to happen … and he just looks petty. I get what he’s saying, for sure — he should be called the champion.

“But, the fact that he’s whining and complaining about Jon fighting Stipe — that fight was already booked before he was even interim champion. And the reason it didn’t happen was because Jon got hurt. It happens all the time. It’s not like he’s inactive. Everyone gets pissed when Dana calls him the greatest of all time. Like, he is” (h/t MMA Mania).

Jackson will be back in action this weekend and in desperate need of a big win after coming up short in three of his last four outings. The Leech’ will face Octagon icon Jim Miller during the UFC 309 prelims as the promotion makes its annual pit stop inside the legendary Madison Square Garden in NYC.

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Miller will be making his 45th walk to the Octagon and — like Jackson — is looking to climb back into the win column after suffering a unanimous decision loss against ‘King’ Bobby Green at UFC 300.

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UFC Vet Questions Jon Jones’ Handling Of Aspinall Avoidance: ‘Should Have Sent A PR Trainer To Him’

Former longtime UFC welterweight Matt Brown believes heavyweight champion Jon Jones should have approached his refusal to fight Tom Aspinall differently. Jones is currently days away from his first defense of the 265-pound crown, which he captured at the expense of Ciryl Gane in March 2023. Having been sidelined through injury since, “Bones” will meet […]

Continue Reading UFC Vet Questions Jon Jones’ Handling Of Aspinall Avoidance: ‘Should Have Sent A PR Trainer To Him’ at MMA News.

Former longtime UFC welterweight Matt Brown believes heavyweight champion Jon Jones should have approached his refusal to fight Tom Aspinall differently.

Jones is currently days away from his first defense of the 265-pound crown, which he captured at the expense of Ciryl Gane in March 2023. Having been sidelined through injury since, “Bones” will meet returning former champ Stipe Miocic in the UFC 309 main event.

The pair were originally set to collide last November prior to Jones’ injury. An interim champ subsequently joined the fray when Aspinall knocked out Sergei Pavlovich, but that fact hasn’t stopped “Bones” from pursuing Miocic.

His decision to avoid unifying the title has proved to be a controversial one. And UFC 309 fight week has even seen Jones suggest that the continuation of his fighting career beyond this weekend would only be to face light heavyweight titleholder Alex Pereira.

During a recent episode of MMA Fighting’s The Fighter vs. The Writer show, Brown pointed to that statement as a big mistake on Jones’ part.

“The fact that he brought up that he is going to fight again, and it’s not going to be the current interim champion, that’s a mistake on his part,” Brown said. “UFC should have sent a PR trainer out there to him or something. ‘How about we don’t talk about the future and focus on what we’re doing now. We’ll cross that bridge when we get there.’

“But he crossed the bridge and opened up the door. He has to know when he says that, there’s going to be criticism that he’s ducking,” Brown continued. “It’s not a good look. Jon don’t give a f*ck. He just says it.”

Should Jones be set to stick to his stance post-his planned victory this weekend, it would appear that Aspinall will be relying on a late-notice withdrawal from Miocic to make his dream of fighting the all-time great a reality.

The Brit is currently in New York City to weigh in as backup fighter for the UFC 309 main event. Beyond his assignment on the scale this Friday, the interim champ’s next step is unclear.

Continue Reading UFC Vet Questions Jon Jones’ Handling Of Aspinall Avoidance: ‘Should Have Sent A PR Trainer To Him’ at MMA News.

Tom Aspinall Questions Respect for Jon Jones for Avoiding Him and Francis Ngannou

Tom Aspinall Slams Jon Jones Ahead of UFC 309Interim UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall has responded to Jon Jones during the UFC 309 fight week. Bones’ Jones,…

Tom Aspinall Slams Jon Jones Ahead of UFC 309

Interim UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall has responded to Jon Jones during the UFC 309 fight week. Bones’ Jones, the heavyweight champion, is set to fight former division king Stipe Miocic instead of the current interim title holder.

Tom Aspinall Slams Jon Jones Ahead of UFC 309

The English-born Tom Aspinall has put together an impressive win streak in the UFC heavyweight division. He has now captured and defended the UFC interim title. ‘Bones’ Jones is the UFC heavyweight champion, having captured the title in early 2023 but has yet to defend it.

Aspinall explained on his YouTube:

“I’m a bit disappointed that Jon, as the great champion he is, doesn’t want to give other guys the opportunity. Most champions would want to put the guy breathing down their neck in their place. If Jon thinks I don’t deserve it, then show me. If you kick my ass in front of the whole world, I’ll happily put my hand out and say, ‘You’re the better man, no problem.’ But this ducking and diving isn’t something I respect.

“This isn’t about Jon’s career, his legacy, or who he’s fighting—it’s because I want that belt. That’s all I care about. I want to prove I’m the No. 1 heavyweight on the planet, and he’s avoiding me.”

The UK-born fighter explained that Jones did the same thing to former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou, Aspinall continued:

“Don’t be surprised that Jon always takes fights where he has an advantage. He avoided Francis Ngannou for three years. Jon always picks fights where he’s at an advantage, and that’s just a fact. I’m not coming after Jon personally, I’m coming after the belt. He has what I deserve, and I want to prove I’m the guy.”

On the UFC 309 main event, Tom Aspinall made his feelings clear about Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic, adding:

“Two champions are fighting, and one of them—Jon Jones—is avoiding the other champion, me. He’s chosen to fight a 42-year-old Stipe Miocic“

Volkanovski: Jon Jones Not A ‘Proper Double Champ’ Until He Fights Tom Aspinall

Former UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski doesn’t believe Jon Jones’ stint on the heavyweight throne will mean much if he continues to avoid facing Tom Aspinall. Jones secured the heavyweight crown in his divisional debut last year, running through Ciryl Gane in quick time to achieve glory in a second weight class. But his detractors […]

Continue Reading Volkanovski: Jon Jones Not A ‘Proper Double Champ’ Until He Fights Tom Aspinall at MMA News.

Former UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski doesn’t believe Jon Jones’ stint on the heavyweight throne will mean much if he continues to avoid facing Tom Aspinall.

Jones secured the heavyweight crown in his divisional debut last year, running through Ciryl Gane in quick time to achieve glory in a second weight class. But his detractors haven’t been short on ammunition when it comes to dismissing his status as kingpin.

While that started with claims he avoided a showdown with Francis Ngannou following “The Predator’s” rise to the top in 2021, the Rochester native is now being accused of ‘ducking’ Aspinall.

The Brit earned the interim title last November after Jones’ planned first defense against Stipe Miocic fell through on late notice due to an injury to the champ. A year later, “Bones” is choosing to keep his sights on the returning veteran instead of his interim counterpart.

That decision has been a prominent topic in the lead-up to Jones vs. Miocic this weekend at UFC 309, and among the latest to fall on the side of Aspinall in the debate is “Alexander the Great.”

During a video recently uploaded to his YouTube channel, Volkanovski gave his assessment of the heavyweight title picture, commenting on Jones’ recent claim that he’ll likely only fight beyond Saturday’s event if it was against light heavyweight titleholder Alex Pereira.

The Australian was firm in analyzing the damage that continuing to avoid Aspinall will do for Jones, insisting that he can’t be seen as the best heavyweight or a two-division champ unless he unifies the title.

“I’m sure Jon Jones is sick of hearing this, but the Tom Aspinall fight is the fight everyone wants to see,” Volkanovski said. “You want to be heavyweight champion? You want to claim that crown? It’s going to be hard to convince me you’re a defending champ if you don’t fight Tom Aspinall while he’s interim champ.

“He’s already got an incredible legacy. But if you want to claim the heavyweight division, say you’re a proper double champ…you’ve got to fight Tom Aspinall,” Volkanovski continued. “If you really want that on your résumé, ‘I was the best heavyweight while I was there,’ you have to fight Tom Aspinall. He is definitely the biggest threat. … I can see why he’s pointing to that (Pereira), but give away the heavyweight belt then.”

Aspinall himself has taken issue with some of Jones’ comments during UFC 309 fight week, posting his highlight reel inside the Octagon on social media in response to the all-time great questioning what he’s done on MMA’s biggest stage.

There’s also a chance of the pair running into each other in the coming days, with Aspinall currently in New York City to weigh in as backup fighter for the Nov. 16 main event.

Continue Reading Volkanovski: Jon Jones Not A ‘Proper Double Champ’ Until He Fights Tom Aspinall at MMA News.

Daniel Cormier Defends Jon Jones Against Claims Of Ducking Tom Aspinall

Jon Jones’ most vocal critic, Daniel Cormier, is standing by him against accusations that “Bones” is dodging a showdown with Tom Aspinall. Jones is set to make his first heavyweight title defense against Stipe Miocic in the UFC 309 main event, taking place this Saturday at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The buildup […]

Continue Reading Daniel Cormier Defends Jon Jones Against Claims Of Ducking Tom Aspinall at MMA News.

Jon Jones’ most vocal critic, Daniel Cormier, is standing by him against accusations that “Bones” is dodging a showdown with Tom Aspinall.

Jones is set to make his first heavyweight title defense against Stipe Miocic in the UFC 309 main event, taking place this Saturday at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

The buildup to this highly anticipated matchup has been overshadowed by widespread accusations within the MMA community, with many claiming that Jones is intentionally sidestepping a title unification bout against interim champion Aspinall. The New Yorker stirred up controversy once again last week, expressing little enthusiasm for the fight.

Jones claims that Aspinall’s performances inside the Octagon have failed to spark any real excitement for a potential matchup. He further stated that, unless he retires after UFC 309, the only fight that piques his interest at this stage is a showdown with light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira.

Jones’ remarks have once again provoked insinuations that he’s avoiding a showdown with Aspinall, supposedly fearing a loss as his career nears its twilight. However, Cormier firmly rejects this idea, even though he doesn’t fully endorse the reasoning of his former fierce rival.

During a recent video on his YouTube channel, “DC” recognized the legendary career of Jones and emphasized that the former UFC light heavyweight champion harbors no fear of Aspinall or any other competitor.

“Look, Jon Jones isn’t afraid of Tom Aspinall,” Cormier said. “I wish people would stop saying that. He is not afraid of that guy. He is not afraid of anyone. He is not afraid to fight this guy. He’s not. I think he’s trying to be more strategic. He’s trying to make sure his legacy stands. I don’t know it could ever be faded. I know we have short memories, but could you ever forget what he did? I don’t think him fighting Tom Aspinall with the potential he would lose is a bad thing.

“But most would expect him to win the fight. But at the end of the day, the old guard has to get passed through for the new guard to go. Unless you don’t play the sport by the way that everyone else does it. Everyone else does it that way. Maybe Jones will be different.”

Continue Reading Daniel Cormier Defends Jon Jones Against Claims Of Ducking Tom Aspinall at MMA News.

Jon Jones’ Coach Claims Tom Aspinall Has Been On The Radar Since Before Heavyweight Move

UFC interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall is sure to be one of the most talked about fighters of the week despite the fact that he isn’t set to compete at UFC 309 on Saturday night. Many believe that it should be him facing Jon Jones in a title unification clash at Madison Square Garden rather […]

Continue Reading Jon Jones’ Coach Claims Tom Aspinall Has Been On The Radar Since Before Heavyweight Move at MMA News.

UFC interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall is sure to be one of the most talked about fighters of the week despite the fact that he isn’t set to compete at UFC 309 on Saturday night. Many believe that it should be him facing Jon Jones in a title unification clash at Madison Square Garden rather than Stipe Miocic.

During his time away from the Octagon due to the injury he suffered ahead of UFC 295 last November, Jones has been very outspoken about Aspinall and a potential fight with him. It’s been a huge talking point throughout this year with some accusing the champion of ducking the interim titleholder.

Whilst Jones has recently stated that he doesn’t believe that the Brit has accomplished anything significant enough to make him interested in the fight, that isn’t to say that Aspinall hasn’t been someone that he’s known about for a long time. This is something that Jones’ long-time striking coach Brandon Gibson recently spoke about in an interview with Submission Radio.

Gibson revealed that Aspinall’s rise to the top of the heavyweight division isn’t surprising because he’s a fighter that the team have had their eyes on for some time now, dating back to when Jones was planning his move to heavyweight during his long hiatus after vacating the light heavyweight belt.

“No, no surprise at all. You know back in the day when Jon was originally making his move up to heavyweight, we thought Francis was going to be the opponent and we were studying the heavyweight landscape. Aspinall was a guy that we’ve always had our eye on, for years now. He’s very smooth, great takedowns, he’s a finisher and in heavyweight, that’s a powerful thing. He has incredible footwork and defense so Aspinall’s been a guy that we’ve already had an eye on for sure.”

Continue Reading Jon Jones’ Coach Claims Tom Aspinall Has Been On The Radar Since Before Heavyweight Move at MMA News.