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Tom Aspinall offers to welcome Alex Pereira to heavyweight after UFC 304: ‘I want to fight him’

Tom Aspinall offers to welcome Alex Pereira to heavyweight after UFC 304 I want to fight him Slated to return at the end of this month in the co-main event of UFC 304 in Manchester, current…

Slated to return at the end of this month in the co-main event of UFC 304 in Manchester, current interim heavyweight champion, Tom Aspinall has once again welcomed the chance to take on light heavyweight kingpin, Alex Pereira in the future – claiming he “absolutely” wants to tackle the Brazilian.

Aspinall, the current interim heavyweight champion, will return to the Octagon later this month in the co-headliner of UFC 304, taking on former-foe, Curtis Blaydes – in a defense of his interim crown.

Sharing the card with the above-mentioned Sao Paulo knockout artist, Pereira back in November of last year at UFC 295, Aspinall snatched the interim heavyweight crown with a stunning knockout win against the streaking, Sergei Pavlovich at Madison Square Garden.

Tom Aspinall offers to take on Alex Pereira at heavyweight

And linked continually with a heavyweight fight against former two-weight champion, Pereira – who called for his own divisional leap off the back of his high-kick knockout against Jiri Prochazka at UFC 303 last weekend, Aspinall is all ears to a clash in the near future.

“As we’ve seen with me, I’m not shying away from anybody,” Tom Aspinall told talkSPORT reporter, Jordan Ellis. “So, if the UFC wanna do that [a fight versus Alex Pereira], I’m happy to do that. I think as an elite level fighter myself, you can’t help but be impressed with what Alex Pereira has done over the last couple of years. I mean, this time two years ago, nobody had a clue who he was, now he’s one of the biggest stars in MMA – one of the best fighters in UFC history.”

“I really, really respect what he’s done,” Tom Aspinall explained. “Does that mean that I don’t wanna fight him? I absolutely wanna fight him, but I’m sure there’ll be a time and a place for it. I’m not jumping ahead of things right now, I’m fighting Curtis Blaydes now. If that’s what the UFC wanna do one day, then we’ll absolutely do it.”

Who wins in a future heavyweight clash: Tom Aspinall or Alex Pereira?

Manel Kape allegedly busted open Muhammad Mokaev with an elbow during a fight at the PI ahead of UFC 304

Manel Kape didn’t want to wait until Manchester to get his hands on Muhammad Mokaev. Though ‘Starboy’ has only…

Manel Kape didn’t want to wait until Manchester to get his hands on Muhammad Mokaev.

Though ‘Starboy’ has only fought twice in the last two years — some of that being his fault, some of it not — Kape is still the No. 8 ranked contender in the flyweight division. If he can bag a big win over the undefeated ‘Punisher’ at UFC 304 on July 27, he’ll likely be next in line for a shot at reigning 125-pound titleholder Alexandre Pantoja.

As it turns out, ‘Starboy’ got things started early with Mokaev during a recent run-in at the UFC Performance Institute in Las Vegas. That comes according to Kape’s teammate Jean Silva who dished all the details during a recent interview.

“Manel Kape hit Mokaev here outside the gym a while ago,” Silva told Ag Fight. He elbowed Mokaev in the head on the street bro. Bro, he caught Mokaev at the entrance here to the [UFC] PI, he headbutted him and elbowed him, in the street. He opened Mokaev’s head a week before his fight. He’s [Kape] a psychopath.”

Manel Kape allegedly headbutted and elbowed Mokaev ahead of their UFC 304 encounter

Silva made his sophomore appearance for the promotion at UFC 303 on Saturday night, securing a knockout over Charles Jourdain in the second round. With the win, ‘Lord Assassin’ is now 2-0 inside the Octagon and is sitting on a 10-fight win streak dating back to 2018.

“The Russians here, bro, they didn’t even help, they just watched Mokaev take a d***, then Mokaev said, ‘I’m going to catch you’, he said he was going to slap Kape in the face,” Silva added. “Then [Kape] saw Mokaev and Mokaev wanted to apologize, and [Kape] said, ‘Apologies won’t be accepted, now you’ll have to do it’.

“Then Mokaev took a step back. When I went down and opened the second door, [Kape] arrived and headbutted Mokaev and elbowed him. Mokaev fell down to the ground then the Russians just watched” (h/t Bloody Elbow).

Though Mokaev didn’t appear to retaliate, he only has a few short weeks before he’ll have the chance to hand Kape his receipt when the two tussle in Rainy City.

Ian Garry Plans Backup Role For Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad At UFC 304: ‘Dan Ige Stepped In…Anything Can Happen’

Before looking ahead to his next official booking, UFC welterweight contender Ian Garry has his sights set on a different kind of assignment in Manchester later this month. Garry is just days on from his latest victory inside the Octagon, as the Irishman extended his perfect professional record to 15-0 with an eighth triumph since […]

Continue Reading Ian Garry Plans Backup Role For Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad At UFC 304: ‘Dan Ige Stepped In…Anything Can Happen’ at MMA News.

Before looking ahead to his next official booking, UFC welterweight contender Ian Garry has his sights set on a different kind of assignment in Manchester later this month.

Garry is just days on from his latest victory inside the Octagon, as the Irishman extended his perfect professional record to 15-0 with an eighth triumph since arriving on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage in 2021.

The result came at the expense of former Bellator standout Michael “Venom” Page, who was narrowly outpointed by “The Future” in the main card opener of this past weekend’s UFC 303 pay-per-view event.

In the aftermath, Garry has mentioned names such as former champion Kamaru Usman and the highly regarded Shavkat Rakhmonov as potential next opponents en route to the welterweight gold.

But the Dubliner is also seemingly planning to make the most of the possibility — however slim — that he could compete with gold on the line in just a few weeks’ time…

Garry Says He’s Offered To Be Backup Fighter For UFC 304 Main Event

During a backstage interview with Caroline Pearce for TNT Sports post-fight, Garry reflected on his success inside Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena, assessed his next steps, and looked ahead to his division’s upcoming title joust.

In one of two championship contests set for the promotion’s return to Manchester, England, for UFC 304 on July 27, Leon Edwards will run it back with Belal Muhammad in defense of his 170-pound belt.

Garry is keen to weigh in as the backup fighter for the headliner, especially after seeing the number of matchups that fell through on the UFC 303 card and the same-day opportunity that arrived at Dan Ige’s doorstep.

“I told the UFC two months ago, ‘When I win at UFC 303, I want to be the backup (at UFC 304).’ I want to be there just in case anything happens,” Garry said. “Look at this fight card (UFC 303), look at how many fights fell through. Dan Ige stepped in today! You know what I mean? Anything can happen, and I wanna be there just in case.

“Whether it’s Leon, whether it’s Belal; whoever it is. I respect both of those guys’ skillset and talent. I’m aware how good they are,” Garry continued. “But I know I can go out there against any man on the planet and get my hand raised. So for me, I’m gonna be there (in Manchester). I’ve offered to UFC, Hunter (Campbell), and Dana (White), I will be the guy to stand in and make sure that there is gonna be a welterweight world title fight if anyone pulls out. So for me, that’s next.”

It remains to be seen whether or not Garry will indeed appear on the scales a day out from UFC 304.

But having experienced a tumultuous month of late-notice cancellations, perhaps the promotion will take “The Future” up on his offer to ensure the UK fans inside the newly built Co-op Live have a welterweight title fight guaranteed.

Read More: Colby Covington Reacts To Ian Garry’s Latest Victory At UFC 303: ‘Anybody Could Be 15-0 Fighting 15 Bums’

Continue Reading Ian Garry Plans Backup Role For Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad At UFC 304: ‘Dan Ige Stepped In…Anything Can Happen’ at MMA News.

Tom Aspinall heaps praise on Alex Pereira’s left hook knockouts: ‘It’s the best strike in MMA at the moment’

Amid links to a future fight with current light heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira in the future, interim heavyweight champion,…

Amid links to a future fight with current light heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira in the future, interim heavyweight champion, Tom Aspinall has claimed the Brazilian’s patented left hook – which has felled many foes during his Octagon tenure, is likely the best strike in mixed martial arts at the moment.

Pereira, a former undisputed middleweight titleholder and the incumbent light heavyweight best, is slated to headline UFC 303 this weekend during International Fight Week, taking on former champion, Jiri Prochakza in the pair’s title fight rematch.

As for Aspinall, the Atherton native co-headlines UFC 304 just next month in Manchester, attempting to become the first fighter since Renan Barao to defend interim gold – as he takes on perennial contender, Curtis Blaydes in a rematch clash of his own.

Alex Pereira backed as new face of the company after accepting short notice title fight at UFC 303

Forever linked with a heavyweight title fight defense against Pereira – particularly since the pair featured on the same card back in November at UFC 295 in Madison Square Garden, the duo have appeared both receptive to the idea of a ‘super fight’.

Tom Aspinall astonished by Alex Pereira’s knockout power

And breaking down the technical ability of renowned kickboxing striker, Pereira ahead of his return at UFC 303 – Aspinall appeared astonished at the boxing prowess of the Sao Paulo finisher, claiming he has the best single strike in the sport currently.

Alex Pereira plans to rest a little after UFC 303 return still fight in a December comeback

“If we can just add in, about Alex Pereira and his left hook,” Tom Aspinall told TNT Sports. “It’s one – it’s probably the best strike in MMA at the moment. He literally touches anybody with the left hook, bink, and they go over.”

Rematching the above-mentioned Czech Republic finisher, Prochazka this weekend in Las Vegas, Pereira managed to snatch vacant light heavyweight spoils against the former in November of last year with a second round knockout win.

Defending his crown at UFC 300 earlier this year, Pereira stopped the returning ex-champion, Jamahal Hill with another devastating opening round KO win.

Would you like to see Alex Pereira challenge Tom Aspinall in the future?

Tom Aspinall set to employ ‘Sleep specialist’ for UFC 304 title fight return: ‘I’m copying Leon Edwards’

Leon Edwards and Tom Aspinall are adjusting their clock for the odd UFC 304 start time in England. Despite…

Leon Edwards and Tom Aspinall are adjusting their clock for the odd UFC 304 start time in England.

Despite UFC 304 taking place in Manchester, England it was revealed the UFC is keeping the start time normal for U.S pay-per-views. Meaning, that the prelims are set to begin at 11 pm UK time with the main card set for 3 am UK time. It has made many fans angry, and for Edwards and Aspinall, they are already working on getting themselves adjusted to the odd start time.

“I have a mad theory on what I was going to do, and it’s completely different to [his],” Tom Aspinall said (via GiveMeSport). “Now I’m just going to copy Leon’s version.”

“At the start I was similar [to Tom],” Edwards said. “I was like ‘Oh, I’m going to have to sleep in the day and be awake at night.’ But when I spoke to [a specialist], he said you can’t do that cuz your body needs sunlight, you need daylight. So he basically said somehow you have to adjust it so you don’t have to train at 5:00 in the morning, you have to get your body used to about 1, 2 in the morning, and after that you should be fine.

“Because when I’m fighting at 11, I’m not training at 11. I’m done by 6 in my house. So he says moving the clock a little bit hour by hour, six weeks out, bit by bit, get to about 2 o’clock, and that’s where you want it. You’ll still get sunlight, you’ll still be able to train. So it’ll be good,” Edwards continued.

Leon Edwards retains title in uneventual decision win over Colby Covington at UFC 296 Highlights — Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

Tom Aspinall, meanwhile, says he first thought about moving his camp to Las Vegas and then get use to that time and fly over to England on fight week, as if it were any other fight. But, he opted against them and will use Edwards’ method, which he paid for.

Tom Aspinall death threats for chasing title fight with Jon Jones in UFC next — Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz – USA TODAY Sports

“My first thought was I’m going to go to Vegas,” Tom Aspinall revealed. “And we’ll do the last four weeks of the camp there and I’m going to come back. And then I thought, ‘You know what? Being 6’5, sitting on a plane for 12 hours, that alone f—s you up.’ So I don’t think I’m going to do that.”I think I’m going to copy your model. Did you pay for that?”

Edwards replied: “I did pay for that. You can’t have it.”

It’s clear that the start time has been something the local fighters have needed to focus on.

UFC 304 Fight Card features Leon Edwards, Tom Aspinall

UFC 304 is set to take place in Manchester, England on July 27.

The fight card is as follows:

Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad – welterweight title fight
Tom Aspinall vs. Curtis Blaydes – interim heavyweight title fight
Arnold Allen vs. Giga Chikadze
Muhammad Mokaev vs. Manel Kape
Bobby Green vs. Tom Aspinall
Nathaniel Wood vs. Daniel Pineda
Shauna Bannon vs. Ravena Oliveira
Molly McCann vs. Bruna Brasil
Caolan Loughran vs. Ramon Tavares
Mick Parkin vs. Lukasz Brzeski
Christian Leroy Duncan vs. Robert Bryczek
Sam Patterson vs. Kiefer Crosbie
Modestas Bukauskas vs. Marcin Prachnio

Shavkat Rakhmonov calls for championship fight after UFC 304 in the UK: ‘I’m ready to face the winner’

Unbeaten welterweight finisher, Shavkat Rakhmonov has staked his claim for a title charge against the victor of next month’s…

Unbeaten welterweight finisher, Shavkat Rakhmonov has staked his claim for a title charge against the victor of next month’s rematch between Leon Edwards and Belal Muhammad at UFC 304 – claiming both Colby Covington nor Kamaru Usman have no interest in facing off with him next.

Rakhmonov, the current number three ranked welterweight contender, boasts a stunning 18-0 professional record, racking a staggering eighteen consecutive victories via stoppage to boot.

Leon Edwards vs Shavkat Rakhmonov Betting Odds

Sidelined since last December, Uzbekistan native, Rakhmonov most recently took out former two-time welterweight title challenger, Stephen Thompson with a blistering second round rear-naked choke on the main card of UFC 296.

Shavkat Rakhmonov reveals 'Very serious injury' suffered ahead of Stephen Thompson fight, almost exited UFC 296 — Mandatory Credit: Cooper Neil – Zuffa LLC

And linked with a potential title-eliminator with former pound-for-pound number one and prior champion, Usman, Rakhmonov has claimed neither the Auchi veteran or former interim gold holder, Covington want to take him next.

Shavkat Rakhmonov calls for title fight after UFC 304

As a result, the surging talent – who has been backed to enjoy a stunning reign at 170lbs if afforded a title charge, claims he wants to take on either Edwards or Muhammad for gold after UFC 304 in Manchester next month.

Leon Edwards drafts sleep specialist into camp for UFC 304 fight in UK I'll be training at midnight — Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

“JDM (Jack Della Maddalena is hurt, (Kamaru) Usman and Colby (Covington) don’t want it,” Shavkat Rakhmonov posted on his official X account today. “I’m ready to face the winner of Leon (Edwards) vs. Belal (Muhammad).”

JDM is hurt, Usman and Colby don’t want it. I’m ready to face the winner of Leon vs Belal

— Shavkat “Nomad” Rakhmonov (@Rakhmonov1994) June 9, 2024

A fan-favorite challenger, Rakhmonov has so far racked up victories over all six of his Octagon opponents thus far – adding Simponsville striker, Thompson to a run of triumphs over Geoff Neal, Neil Magny, Carlston Harris, Michel Prazeres, and Alex Oliveira.

Known for his formidable 100 percent finish rate, former M-1 Global welterweight champion, Rakhmonov, has scored ten submission victories during his career, as well as eight stoppages via knockout to boot.

Would you like to see Shavkat Rakhmonov fight for gold after UFC 304 next month?