Tag: UFC 309

Tom Aspinall Spots ‘Openings’ in Jon Jones’ Game After UFC 309 KO

Tom Aspinall Jon Jones UFC 309Tom Aspinall believes he has spotted some weaknesses in Jon Jones’ game after watching his performance against Stipe Miocic…

Tom Aspinall Jon Jones UFC 309

Tom Aspinall believes he has spotted some weaknesses in Jon Jones’ game after watching his performance against Stipe Miocic this weekend at UFC 309.

For Jon Jones, it must’ve been an incredible weekend. He was away for only about a year this time, but once he started fighting in the cage, it was like he never left. Jones put on a clinic of smothering grappling, slick trips, and beautiful kickboxing. The kicks to the body were landing aplenty, and at one point, Jones even dazed Miocic with a slick combo on the feet. What spelled doom for Miocic was a sinister spinning back-kick from Jones that sent him crumbling to the octagon floor. Some nasty ground-and-pound punches later, and Jones was standing victorious with another title defense on his resume.

Now, the question is whether the UFC and Jones can successfully negotiate a fight between him and Aspinall to unify the titles. Jones is playing coy and tossing out the possibility of retiring or facing the likes of Alex Pereira for a super fight. Dana White, however, has shut that down and now says that after witnessing Jones fight at UFC 309, a battle with Pereira is off the table. White also mentioned that they’d be willing to pay Jones enough to face Aspinall, who is eagerly waiting in the woodworks, ready for blood.

Tom Aspinall speaks on Weaknesses in Jon Jones’ style

“It was, as you American guys say, by design,” Tom Aspinall said on the ESPN MMA post-show (H/T Bloody Elbow) “(The fight) was exactly what I thought, exactly what I thought would happen.”

“To beat Jon Jones, the most important thing that you need is good eyes, good reactions, quick reactions, and in all honestly, Stipe Miocic just didn’t have that at 42 years old,” Tom Aspinall continued. “Of course, I have only seen Jon Jones fighting on TV before; this is the first time that I’ve seen him up close, and I was sitting at arm’s length from the UFC octagon – it is way different watching it on TV than watching it up-close.”

“I am so happy that I got to see an up-close version of what Jon Jones looks like 37 years old and on the back end of his career, I’m very satisfied.”

Tom Aspinall was asked if Jones had any disadvantages compared to him, and he pointed out an easy one: “The speed, just the speed – there is no chance that he can, I don’t want to say too much you know what I mean… Absolutely, I see everything… Whether I can do it in there, you know Jon Jones is arguably the best to ever do it, but I definitely see openings. Whether I can do it myself, I don’t know, but from the outside looking in, I think I can.”

Do you think Tom Aspinall would beat Jon Jones if they fought?

Tom Aspinall Spots ‘Openings’ in Jon Jones’ Game After UFC 309 KO

Tom Aspinall Jon Jones UFC 309Tom Aspinall believes he has spotted some weaknesses in Jon Jones’ game after watching his performance against Stipe Miocic…

Tom Aspinall Jon Jones UFC 309

Tom Aspinall believes he has spotted some weaknesses in Jon Jones’ game after watching his performance against Stipe Miocic this weekend at UFC 309.

For Jon Jones, it must’ve been an incredible weekend. He was away for only about a year this time, but once he started fighting in the cage, it was like he never left. Jones put on a clinic of smothering grappling, slick trips, and beautiful kickboxing. The kicks to the body were landing aplenty, and at one point, Jones even dazed Miocic with a slick combo on the feet. What spelled doom for Miocic was a sinister spinning back-kick from Jones that sent him crumbling to the octagon floor. Some nasty ground-and-pound punches later, and Jones was standing victorious with another title defense on his resume.

Now, the question is whether the UFC and Jones can successfully negotiate a fight between him and Aspinall to unify the titles. Jones is playing coy and tossing out the possibility of retiring or facing the likes of Alex Pereira for a super fight. Dana White, however, has shut that down and now says that after witnessing Jones fight at UFC 309, a battle with Pereira is off the table. White also mentioned that they’d be willing to pay Jones enough to face Aspinall, who is eagerly waiting in the woodworks, ready for blood.

Tom Aspinall speaks on Weaknesses in Jon Jones’ style

“It was, as you American guys say, by design,” Tom Aspinall said on the ESPN MMA post-show (H/T Bloody Elbow) “(The fight) was exactly what I thought, exactly what I thought would happen.”

“To beat Jon Jones, the most important thing that you need is good eyes, good reactions, quick reactions, and in all honestly, Stipe Miocic just didn’t have that at 42 years old,” Tom Aspinall continued. “Of course, I have only seen Jon Jones fighting on TV before; this is the first time that I’ve seen him up close, and I was sitting at arm’s length from the UFC octagon – it is way different watching it on TV than watching it up-close.”

“I am so happy that I got to see an up-close version of what Jon Jones looks like 37 years old and on the back end of his career, I’m very satisfied.”

Tom Aspinall was asked if Jones had any disadvantages compared to him, and he pointed out an easy one: “The speed, just the speed – there is no chance that he can, I don’t want to say too much you know what I mean… Absolutely, I see everything… Whether I can do it in there, you know Jon Jones is arguably the best to ever do it, but I definitely see openings. Whether I can do it myself, I don’t know, but from the outside looking in, I think I can.”

Do you think Tom Aspinall would beat Jon Jones if they fought?

Francis Ngannou Sends Messages To Both Jon Jones & Stipe Miocic After UFC 309

PFL champion Francis Ngannou had a close eye on what unfolded when Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic finally shared the Octagon this past weekend. Over a year on from their originally scheduled fight date, Jones and Miocic collided inside the prestigious surroundings of Madison Square Garden on Saturday night, with the former putting his heavyweight […]

PFL champion Francis Ngannou had a close eye on what unfolded when Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic finally shared the Octagon this past weekend.

Over a year on from their originally scheduled fight date, Jones and Miocic collided inside the prestigious surroundings of Madison Square Garden on Saturday night, with the former putting his heavyweight title on the line for the first time at UFC 309.

Those who feared a difficult night at the office for the returning former champion, who hadn’t competed in three and a half years, had their worries come to fruition.

After a difficult first round in which he was taken down and battered with elbows, Miocic was eventually finished in round three when a brutal spinning side kick to the body sent him to the canvas.

The result saw Jones add a successful heavyweight defense to his already illustrious résumé, and that unsurprisingly drew a reaction from a man he’s long gone back and forth with.

Taking to X with his reaction moments after the main event concluded, Ngannou returned the favor by repeating the “I see you” line Jones posted in response to the Cameroonian’s winning debut under the PFL banner last month.

“Jones looked great out there tonight,” Ngannou wrote. “Congrats Jonny boy. I see you (wink)”

While a possible showdown between Jones and Ngannou looks set to enter the “what if” realm of matchups, “The Predator” had a lengthier address for a man whom he has thrown down with — twice.

Following his defeat in New York City, Miocic announced his retirement, and Ngannou was among those paying tribute to the former two-time heavyweight king on social media.

“Thank you, champion @stipemiocic, for all you’ve done for our sport and, above all, for the class you embody and the example you set,” Ngannou wrote. “I’m grateful for how our battles have shaped me into a better fighter; those moments taught me more than years in the sport. Enjoy your well-earned retirement and best wishes for all your future endeavors.”

Miocic faced MMA’s hardest hitter twice in the UFC, first outpointing Ngannou to become the first man to beat him in the Octagon at UFC 220.

Three years later, the pair renewed hostilities at the Apex, where “The Predator” got his redemption and crowning moment in violent fashion.

Jon Jones TKOs Stipe Miocic with Brutal Spinning Back Kick, Leaves Door Open for Aspinall Fight – UFC 309 Highlights

Jon Jones TKOs Stipe Miocic with Brutal Spinning Back Kick, Leaves Door Open for Aspinall Fight - UFC 309 HighlightsJon Jones got the job done in convincing fashion at UFC 309 on Saturday night. Returning to the Octagon…

Jon Jones TKOs Stipe Miocic with Brutal Spinning Back Kick, Leaves Door Open for Aspinall Fight - UFC 309 Highlights

Jon Jones got the job done in convincing fashion at UFC 309 on Saturday night.

Returning to the Octagon for the first time since his title-winning performance against Ciryl Gane almost two years ago, ‘Bones’ looked as good as ever against the former two-time heavyweight titleholder Stipe Miocic.

From the get-go, Jones was in complete control of the bout, peppering Miocic with a series of kicks to the body and the lead leg. Jones nearly finished things in the opening round after securing a takedown and lighting up Miocic with a barrage of elbow strikes near the fence. Miocic did a good job of defending, but surviving the round was the best he could do from his back.

Jon Jones

The second round wasn’t much more competitive than the first, but things came to a head in the third when Jones unleashed a nasty spinning back kick with less than a minute to go in the round. The kick immediately folded Miocic up against the fence and ‘Bones’ finished things with a few ground-and-pound strikes that forced referee Herb Dean to step in and call for the stoppage.

Official Result: Jon Jones def. Stipe Miocic via TKO (spinning back kick to ground-and-pound) at 4:29 of Round 3.

Jon Jones

Check Out Highlights From Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic at UFC 309:

‘As Impressive As Jake Paul’s Win Over Mike Tyson’ – Fans React As Jon Jones Sends Stipe Miocic Into Retirement With UFC 309 Finish

The UFC’s GOAT battle ended with Jones adding another name to his long list of fallen opponents, as he finished Stipe Miocic to retain the UFC heavyweight championship in the main event of UFC 309 at New York’s Madison Square Garden. Jones had a strong start after a feeling out process to start the fight, […]

The UFC’s GOAT battle ended with Jones adding another name to his long list of fallen opponents, as he finished Stipe Miocic to retain the UFC heavyweight championship in the main event of UFC 309 at New York’s Madison Square Garden.

Jones had a strong start after a feeling out process to start the fight, scoring a takedown a couple of minutes into the round and landing some brutal elbows that could have finished the outing.

The Rochester native seemed to take the second frame off but still landed the better shots. He then finished off Miocic in the third with a brutal spinning kick to the body.

Miocic announced his retirement from MMA after the fight. Jones, meanwhile, did not commit to calling it quits, but stated he’d have to do some negotiating with Dana White and Hunter Campbell before signing on for a fight with either interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall or light heavyweight kingpin Alex Pereira.

Jon Jones Puts Stipe Miocic Into Retirement With Third-Round Finish To Retain Heavyweight Title At UFC 309

Jones and Miocic were originally set to clash at last year’s Madison Square Garden event, UFC 295, before Jones tore his pec.

This marked his first defense of the UFC heavyweight title since winning the then-vacant belt with a submission of Ciryl Gane at UFC 285.

Meanwhile, Saturday’s headliner was Miocic’s first fight since losing the heavyweight title to Francis Ngannou at UFC 260 in March 2021.

‘McGregor Probably Laughing’ – Fans React As Charles Oliveira Survives Late Michael Chandler Rally For Lopsided UFC 309 Decision

Charles Oliveira secured his second win over Michael Chandler in the co-main event of UFC 309, but just like their first encounter in 2021, the fight wasn’t without high drama. “Do Bronx” dominated the first four rounds and looked one shot away from finishing the fight at multiple points, as proven by the unanimous scorecards […]

Charles Oliveira secured his second win over Michael Chandler in the co-main event of UFC 309, but just like their first encounter in 2021, the fight wasn’t without high drama.

“Do Bronx” dominated the first four rounds and looked one shot away from finishing the fight at multiple points, as proven by the unanimous scorecards of 49-46, 49-46, and 49-45.

Oliveira looked to grapple a lot more in this fight than in his recent outings, securing consistent takedowns and taking Chandler’s back multiple times. However, in the fifth round, “Iron” nearly turned the tide in what would have been an all-time great comeback.

The former three-time Bellator champion needed a finish, and after hurting the former champion on the feet, just like in their first fight, he was seemingly one shot away from the referee stepping in. That would have been controversial due to many of the strikes seemingly hitting the back of Oliveira’s head in just one example of fouls going unnoticed by referee Keith Peterson.

Oliveira was able to protect himself off his back once again, take time to recover, and get back to his feet. After surviving a few more strikes, he secured yet another takedown to close out the round and get his hand raised.

In one of the highlight reel moments of the night, the Madison Square Garden crowd nearly blew the roof off of the iconic venue when Chandler ended the fight by back-slamming Oliveira, who had taken his back not once but twice in another similarity to UFC 262.

In his post-fight interview, Oliveira said that he will be ready to face the winner of Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan, while Chandler called out Conor McGregor — again. Fans reacted on social media to the dominant performance from Oliveira, which ended in chaotic fashion.

Oliveira himself posted an immediate reaction to the fight on X.