Tag: UFC 295

Breaking – Jon Jones out of UFC 295 return due to injury, interim title fight now drafted onto card

Jon Jones out of UFC 295 title fight due to injury new interim championship fight added to cardUndisputed heavyweight champion, Jon Jones is officially out of next month’s championship fight against former titleholder, Stipe Miocic, after…

Jon Jones out of UFC 295 title fight due to injury new interim championship fight added to card

Undisputed heavyweight champion, Jon Jones is officially out of next month’s championship fight against former titleholder, Stipe Miocic, after he suffered a tendon tear overnight whilst training ahead of his UFC 295 return, forcing the cancellation of their undisputed heavyweight championship bout.

And as per UFC CEO, Dana White, with Jones injured, Miocic has also been pulled from the Madison Square Garden card to boot, while an interim championship bout between surging Russian knockout artist, Sergei Pavlovich, and British heavyweight contender, Tom Aspinall has now been added to the New York City event.

Jon Jones forced off of UFC 295 card due to injury

Remaining on the card and receiving a promotion, Czech Republic native, Jiri Prochazka now takes on former middleweight champion, Alex Pereira in a vacant light heavyweight championship fight – now in a headlining bout. 

“BREAKING NEWS……….. Sergei Pavlovich vs Tom Aspinall for the interim heavyweight championship,” Dana White posted on his official X account. “Main event is Jiri Prochazka vs Alex Pereira.”

As per promotional leader, White, Endicott native, Jon Jones is set for a period of up to 8 months on the sidelines, after he torn a tendon attached to his pectoral muscle whilst drilling wrestling ahead of his fight with Miocic next month at UFC 295, resulting in his removal from the card in New York.

Jones, a former two-time light heavyweight champion, had only returned from a three-year-plus hiatus from active competition back in March of this year, landing a vacant heavyweight championship triumph with a first round guillotine choke submission win over Ciryl Gane. 

Ranked number two in the official heavyweight pile, Pavlovich has turned in six consecutive victories, most recently landing a first round knockout win over perennial contender, Curtis Blaydes in an April main event clash.

As for Atherton native, Aspinall, the number four rated challenger returned to the Octagon back in July, flattening Marcin Tybura with a blistering first round knockout in his return from a debilitating knee injury. 

What are your thoughts on Jon Jones’ withdrawal from UFC 295 next month?

Alex Pereira Looks Massive Ahead of His UFC 295 Showdown with Jiri Prochazka

Alex PereiraFormer UFC middleweight world champion Alex Pereira is gearing up for another opportunity to claim gold. This time, the…

Alex Pereira

Former UFC middleweight world champion Alex Pereira is gearing up for another opportunity to claim gold.

This time, the ‘Brazilian Boogeyman’ will challenge for the vacant light heavyweight title against the division’s former champ, Jiri Prochazka. Relinquishing the belt late last year after suffering a brutal shoulder injury, Prochazka is determined to reclaim the crown he never lost, but it will be an uphill battle as he faces a three-time GLORY Kickboxing world champion with a penchant for delivering highlight-reel-worthy knockouts.

With their UFC 295 showcase a few short weeks away, fight fans are already getting a glimpse of Alex Pereir’s impressive physique courtesy of ESPN MMA on X.

The Unlikely Pairing of Alex Pereira and Jiri Prochazka

After capturing the middleweight title via a shocking fifth-round KO of Israel Adesanya, ‘Poatan’ handed the belt back at UFC 287, suffering his first career loss inside the Octagon. Since then, Pereira has made the move to light heavyweight and earned his first victory in the division in July, defeating former champion Jan Blachowicz via a closely contested split decision. The win earned him an opportunity to claim his second title in as many weight classes.

Determined to stop Alex Pereira from leaving Madison Square Garden as a champion, Jiri Prochazka will compete for the first time since he initially claimed the title for himself in a back-and-forth Fight of the Year contender with Glover Teixeira at UFC 275. Prochazka and Teixeira were expected to run back their instant classic last December before a shoulder injury put ‘Denisa’ on the shelf for more than a year.

Healed up and ready to go, Jiri Prochazka will look to reclaim the strap on November 11 when the UFC heads to the world’s most famous arena for a loaded 30th-anniversary showcase headlined by a heavyweight championship dream match between Jon ‘Bones’ Jones and Stipe Miocic

Francis Ngannou picks Stipe Miocic to beat Jon Jones at UFC 295: ‘He doesn’t get the credit he deserves’

Francis Ngannou picks Stipe Miocic to beat Jon Jones at UFC 295 he doesn't get the credit he deservesAhead of his professional boxing debut this weekend in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, former undisputed UFC heavyweight champion, Francis Ngannou…

Francis Ngannou picks Stipe Miocic to beat Jon Jones at UFC 295 he doesn't get the credit he deserves

Ahead of his professional boxing debut this weekend in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, former undisputed UFC heavyweight champion, Francis Ngannou has picked fellow ex-champion, Stipe Miocic to return and win gold against the incumbent, Jon Jones next month in the main event of UFC 295 – claiming the Ohio native never receives the credit he should. 

Ngannou, a former undisputed heavyweight champion under the banner of the UFC, departed the Octagon back in January of this year following the completion of his contractual obligations with the promotion, before penning a multi-fight deal with the PFL. 

And set to make his organizational bow in the opening quarter of next year, Ngannou is first set to enter the squared circle for the first time in his combat sports career, taking on WBC heavyweight champion, Tyson Fury in a professional boxing match this weekend in the Middle East.

Francis Ngannou picks Stipe Miocic to beat Jon Jones at UFC 295

And sharing his thoughts on Miocic’s championship fight return against arch-rival, Jones next month at UFC 295 in Madison Square Garden, Ngannou picked the veteran former champion to spring an upset and land a victory over the defending gold holder.

“It would have to be Stipe (Miocic), stylistically,” Francis Ngannou told CBS Sports reporter, Shakiel Majhouri. “I fought Stipe twice and I think Stipe doesn’t have the credit he deserves. Obviously, I won the second time, still I know that I could have lost that time. He fought ‘DC’ (Daniel Cormier) three times and ou can see how he fought.”

“And also, this is a different weight class for Jon Jones,” Francis Ngannou explained. “This is heavyweight and I think it’s slightly different than light heavyweight. I agree that Jon Jones is the best in the light heavyweight but I think in the heavyweight, he will definitely get some challenge.” 

Do you agree with Francis Ngannou’s prediction of the UFC 295 title fight?

Francis Ngannou picks Stipe Miocic to beat Jon Jones at UFC 295: ‘He doesn’t get the credit he deserves’

Francis Ngannou picks Stipe Miocic to beat Jon Jones at UFC 295 he doesn't get the credit he deservesAhead of his professional boxing debut this weekend in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, former undisputed UFC heavyweight champion, Francis Ngannou…

Francis Ngannou picks Stipe Miocic to beat Jon Jones at UFC 295 he doesn't get the credit he deserves

Ahead of his professional boxing debut this weekend in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, former undisputed UFC heavyweight champion, Francis Ngannou has picked fellow ex-champion, Stipe Miocic to return and win gold against the incumbent, Jon Jones next month in the main event of UFC 295 – claiming the Ohio native never receives the credit he should. 

Ngannou, a former undisputed heavyweight champion under the banner of the UFC, departed the Octagon back in January of this year following the completion of his contractual obligations with the promotion, before penning a multi-fight deal with the PFL. 

And set to make his organizational bow in the opening quarter of next year, Ngannou is first set to enter the squared circle for the first time in his combat sports career, taking on WBC heavyweight champion, Tyson Fury in a professional boxing match this weekend in the Middle East.

Francis Ngannou picks Stipe Miocic to beat Jon Jones at UFC 295

And sharing his thoughts on Miocic’s championship fight return against arch-rival, Jones next month at UFC 295 in Madison Square Garden, Ngannou picked the veteran former champion to spring an upset and land a victory over the defending gold holder.

“It would have to be Stipe (Miocic), stylistically,” Francis Ngannou told CBS Sports reporter, Shakiel Majhouri. “I fought Stipe twice and I think Stipe doesn’t have the credit he deserves. Obviously, I won the second time, still I know that I could have lost that time. He fought ‘DC’ (Daniel Cormier) three times and ou can see how he fought.”

“And also, this is a different weight class for Jon Jones,” Francis Ngannou explained. “This is heavyweight and I think it’s slightly different than light heavyweight. I agree that Jon Jones is the best in the light heavyweight but I think in the heavyweight, he will definitely get some challenge.” 

Do you agree with Francis Ngannou’s prediction of the UFC 295 title fight?

Heavyweight Champ Jon Jones is Looking jacked ahead of his UFC 295 Title Tilt with Stipe Miocic

Jon JonesReigning UFC heavyweight world champion Jon Jones looks to be in impeccable shape as his showdown with the division’s…

Jon Jones

Reigning UFC heavyweight world champion Jon Jones looks to be in impeccable shape as his showdown with the division’s general consensus GOAT Stipe Miocic quickly approaches.

On November 11, ‘Bones’ will return to the Octagon eight months removed from his impressive first-round submission victory over Ciryl Gane to claim the vacant heavyweight crown. This time, Jon Jones will be matched up with the man that many believe is the greatest fighter the weight class has ever seen in two-time titleholder Stipe Miocic.

With UFC gold and legacies on the line, Jon Jones is putting everything he has into his training camp and, as a result, is looking absolutely jacked less than three weeks before his UFC 295 headliner in Madison Square Garden.

Making his return to the Octagon after nearly four years on the shelf, ‘Bones’ was as dominant as ever, but many fight fans were critical of Jon Jones’ physique, suggesting that he had packed on weight, but not much muscle. That no longer appears to be the case as the former light heavyweight king is looking to be in the best shape of his life. Now, the only question that remains is, will the added weight and muscle have a serious effect on his signature speed and mobility?

Jon Jones Suggests Stipe Miocic Take Some Time Off From Fighting Fires

When Stipe Miocic makes his own return to the cage next month, it will be his first fight in more than two and a half years. During his time away, Miocic has lived a relatively normal life, working as a firefighter in his native Cleveland and largely putting his career as a professional athlete behind him.

Signing on the dotted line for a comeback at UFC 295, Miocic will step back into the Octagon for presumably one final big-money bout that could solidify his status as the greatest heavyweight of all time. But to do that, Jon Jones suggests that the ‘Croatian Sensation’ take some time away from his day job and put everything he’s got into preparing for what could be the toughest fight of his life.

“I say this respectfully to Stipe, I would take time off from being a firefighter right now,” Jones said following his UFC 285 return in March. “And I mean that with all due respect. My whole world is going to be focused on him. This is the biggest opportunity in my life to beat the heavyweight GOAT and I’m going give it everything I’ve got, absolutely everything I’ve got”

UFC 295 goes down on November 11, live from the world’s most famous arena, Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Fans will also be treated to a light heavyweight title tilt as former champion Jiri Prochazka looks to reclaim the 205-pound crown after being forced to vacate the title due to a shoulder injury last year. Standing in his way will be ex-middleweight titleholder Alex Pereira who is fresh off a win over division staple Jan Blachowicz in July.

Jiri Prochazka questions Alex Pereira’s ability ahead of UFC 295 title fight: ‘He’s not a good martial artist’

Jiri Prochazka claims Alex Pereira is not a good martial artist ahead of UFC 295 title fightFormer undisputed light heavyweight champion, Jiri Prochazka has heaped praise on the striking prowess and ability of former middleweight titleholder, Alex Pereira ahead of their upcoming vacant title fight at UFC 295 in November, however, is more than unsure if the Brazilian is actually a good out and out martial artist. Prochazka, the current number […]

Jiri Prochazka claims Alex Pereira is not a good martial artist ahead of UFC 295 title fight

Former undisputed light heavyweight champion, Jiri Prochazka has heaped praise on the striking prowess and ability of former middleweight titleholder, Alex Pereira ahead of their upcoming vacant title fight at UFC 295 in November, however, is more than unsure if the Brazilian is actually a good out and out martial artist.

Prochazka, the current number one ranked light heavyweight contender, is slated to make his first Octagon walk since May of last year next month, as he returns in the co-main event of UFC 295 at Madison Square Garden. 

Taking on former middleweight champion, Pereira, Czech Republic native, Prochazka will attempt to become a two-time light heavyweight titleholder, having struck gold in Singapore in the summer of last year with a rallying fifth round submission win over Pereira’s training partner and close friend, Glover Teixeira. 

Undergoing a surgical procedure to address a shoulder injury suffered ahead of his championship fight rematch with Teixeira last December, Prochazka has been sidelined through the catastrophic setback in the time since.

Jiri Prochazka questions Alex Pereira’s ability as a martial artist

And sharing his thoughts on a stylistic matchup with Pereira next month in New York City, Prochazka claimed that while the former can strike with the best of them, as a martial artist, he’s not particularly “good”.

“It’s for me, a beautiful story and big challenge,” Jiri Prochazka told Shakiel Mahjouri during a recent interview. “I have to say, Alex (Pereira), he’s not a good martial artist, like on the ground, on the wrestling but one thing he can do and knows what to do is his striking. It will be a pleasure to compete with him in the stand-up.”

“He’s good in stand-up but not good in wrestling and all these things,” Jiri Prochazka explained. “He’s too much focused on striking. He’s very good at that but on the other things, other styles, he’s not good, too. I am not too good of a wrestler to say that but I think I am better than him. Doesn’t matter. That’s my opinion, my stance.” (H/T MMA Fighting)

Who wins at UFC 295: Jiri Prochazka or Alex Pereira?