Tag: UFC Heavyweight

Jake Paul Tries To Broker Multi-Million Dollar Payday For “Bones” To Fight Tom Aspinall: ‘Jon Jones Doesn’t Dodge Anyone’

Jake Paul recently attempted to broker a multi-million dollar deal to entice Jon Jones into a showdown with Tom Aspinall. Since capturing the interim heavyweight title with a knockout victory over Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 295 in November 2023—an opportunity that arose after “Bones” had to withdraw from his undisputed title clash with Stipe Miocic […]

Continue Reading Jake Paul Tries To Broker Multi-Million Dollar Payday For “Bones” To Fight Tom Aspinall: ‘Jon Jones Doesn’t Dodge Anyone’ at MMA News.

Jake Paul recently attempted to broker a multi-million dollar deal to entice Jon Jones into a showdown with Tom Aspinall.

Since capturing the interim heavyweight title with a knockout victory over Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 295 in November 2023—an opportunity that arose after “Bones” had to withdraw from his undisputed title clash with Stipe Miocic due to injury—Aspinall has been unabashedly outspoken about his desire to test himself against Jones in a title unification bout.

However, Jones has consistently dismissed the challenge, even going so far as to disparage Aspinall’s standing as the interim champion. Rather than entertain a clash with Aspinall, the reigning heavyweight titleholder has made it clear that his sights are set on rekindling his bout with Miocic, a showdown that is rumored to headline UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden this November.

“Bones” has frequently hinted at the prospect of retirement after defeating a legendary heavyweight champion like Miocic, thereby cementing his GOAT status. Many speculate that this might be why Jones is hesitant to risk his legacy against a formidable contender like Aspinall.

However, “The Problem Child” suggests that the real reason Jones is sidestepping the Brit’s challenge is the lack of a lucrative payday on the table…

Paul Claims Jones Would Accept Aspinall Bout If The Paycheck Fits

Paul, well-known for his frequent critiques of UFC fighter pay, recently took to X to refute the narrative that Jones is avoiding a fight with Aspinall. The YouTuber-turned-boxer argued that Jones isn’t one to shy away from any opponent but suggested that the real issue lies in the financial incentive.

He believes that if the right financial deal is presented, tapping into both the American and English pay-per-view (PPV) markets, Jones would be more than willing to step into the Octagon with Aspinall.

“Jon Jones doesn’t dodge anyone. He knows exactly what he’s doing,” Paul tweeted. “Show him the money – that real money. Not that spin the narrative money. Him versus Aspinal is massive as it hits two big PPV markets. A $25M guarantee plus PPV seems about right. @JonnyBones”

During a post-event press conference for DWCS, UFC CEO Dana White suggested that, despite Jones’s occasional talk of retirement, he is confident that “if the Aspinall thing is really flying out there,” Jones would rise to the occasion and accept the matchup.

Continue Reading Jake Paul Tries To Broker Multi-Million Dollar Payday For “Bones” To Fight Tom Aspinall: ‘Jon Jones Doesn’t Dodge Anyone’ at MMA News.

Tom Aspinall: Stipe Miocic Needs To Be ‘Joe Biden’d’ To Allow Title Unification Against Jon Jones

Tom Aspinall is pushing for Stipe Miocic to be replaced in his potential bout with Jon Jones, much like Joe Biden was swapped out in the 2024 United States Presidential election. For context, Biden stepped out of the presidential race in July following a challenging debate against Republican nominee Donald Trump, which raised significant scrutiny […]

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Tom Aspinall is pushing for Stipe Miocic to be replaced in his potential bout with Jon Jones, much like Joe Biden was swapped out in the 2024 United States Presidential election.

For context, Biden stepped out of the presidential race in July following a challenging debate against Republican nominee Donald Trump, which raised significant scrutiny about the sitting President’s mental readiness for another term.

Amid mounting pressure for the UFC to cancel Miocic’s planned title shot against the reigning heavyweight champion, UFC CEO Dana White has made it clear that the fight is still on. White has resolutely stood by his decision to reschedule the matchup, which was originally set for November 2023 at UFC 295 but had to be postponed after “Bones” suffered a serious pectoral injury.

Consequently, Aspinall capitalized on the opportunity at UFC 295, stepping in to claim the interim heavyweight title with a knockout of Sergei Pavlovich. The 31-year-old Salford native has eagerly called for a title unification bout against Jones. However, “Bones” has consistently dismissed the challenge, showing more interest in rebooking his showdown with Miocic instead.

The British powerhouse then defended his interim title against Curtis Blaydes with a first-round knockout at UFC 304, avenging his only UFC defeat. Following this triumph, Aspinall made it clear that his sights are set solely on a title unification bout as his next challenge…

Aspinall Targets Miocic’s Slot In Upcoming Jones Fight

During a recent interview with TNT Sports, Aspinall suggested that Miocic should follow Biden’s lead and step aside for the upcoming title clash against Jones, which is expected to take place at UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden in New York City on November 16.

“Get Stipe out of there; let’s be honest. The guy is 43 years old, he’s had a four-year layoff, and his last fight was a knockout loss,” Aspinall said. “Granted, he’s an absolute legend in this sport. He’s the best heavyweight ever — like statistically, he’s the best heavyweight ever. But the guy needs to be pulled out of the race. The guy needs to be Joe Biden’d, mate. He’s too old. No one’s that interested anymore. And I respect Stipe a lot. Pull him out, stick me in. It’s right though, isn’t it? It is right. Who’s got bothered about that anymore?”

Miocic is set to turn 42 on August 19. The former two-time UFC heavyweight champion was seen in action in March 2021, when he lost his title in a crushing second-round knockout defeat to Francis Ngannou at UFC 260.

Meanwhile, Jones last graced the Octagon at UFC 285 in March 2023, where he captured the heavyweight title with a dominant submission victory over Ciryl Gane.

Continue Reading Tom Aspinall: Stipe Miocic Needs To Be ‘Joe Biden’d’ To Allow Title Unification Against Jon Jones at MMA News.

UFC Interim Champ Tom Aspinall On Whether He Expects ‘Tricky, Slimy, & Snaky’ Jon Jones To Ever Fight Him

Tom Aspinall recently admitted he is uncertain whether he will ever have the opportunity to face Jon Jones in the Octagon. Following his dazzling performance in front of his home crowd at UFC 304, where he knocked out Curtis Blaydes in just 60 seconds to secure his third consecutive knockout victory, the Brit continued to […]

Continue Reading UFC Interim Champ Tom Aspinall On Whether He Expects ‘Tricky, Slimy, & Snaky’ Jon Jones To Ever Fight Him at MMA News.

Tom Aspinall recently admitted he is uncertain whether he will ever have the opportunity to face Jon Jones in the Octagon.

Following his dazzling performance in front of his home crowd at UFC 304, where he knocked out Curtis Blaydes in just 60 seconds to secure his third consecutive knockout victory, the Brit continued to campaign for a title unification bout against the reigning UFC heavyweight champion. However, Jones has persistently rebuffed the challenge, going so far as to undermine Aspinall’s position as the interim champion.

Aspinall is the current interim heavyweight titleholder, a title he claimed at UFC 295 in November 2023 after “Bones” was forced to pull out of his matchup with Stipe Miocic due to a torn pectoral muscle. Ideally, the 31-year-old Salford native would be gearing up for an undisputed championship bout later this year. Instead, he remains on the periphery, while Jones is expected to face Miocic in a fight targeted for November.

During a recent interview with MMAFightingonSBN, Aspinall was asked about the possibility of ever facing “Bones.” The interim champ voiced his uncertainty and raised doubts about Jones’ intentions, questioning whether he will actually go through with the fight against Miocic.

“I have no idea. I like to think he would, but we don’t know at this point if Jon Jones is even fighting Stipe. We have no idea,” Aspinall said. “Jon Jones is a bit of an unusual guy; you don’t see what you get with Jones, and you don’t get what you see. He’s tricky, slimy, and snaky—he does different movements. He says one thing and does another. So I don’t know. I have no idea, to be honest.”

Aspinall Opens Up About Serving As Backup for A Possible Jones-Miocic Clash

At the UFC 304 post-event press conference, UFC CEO Dana White confirmed that Aspinall will serve as the backup fighter in case either Jones or Miocic is unable to step into the Octagon.

In the aforementioned interview, Aspinall expressed his eagerness to step in as the backup and asserted his confidence and readiness in his abilities to defeat both Jones and Miocic, even on a day’s notice.

“Yep, I’ll be there. I’ll do that, and I’d fight those guys on an hour’s notice if they needed me to. Listen, mate, I can beat both of these guys, no problem. If I’ve got to do it on a day’s notice, I can do it easily, so I’ll be there to take my opportunity if it presents itself.”

The possibility of a Jones vs. Aspinall showdown is captivating the MMA community, yet its realization appears remote. Jones remains resolute in his intention to face Miocic upon his return and has even suggested that he might retire after that fight.

Continue Reading UFC Interim Champ Tom Aspinall On Whether He Expects ‘Tricky, Slimy, & Snaky’ Jon Jones To Ever Fight Him at MMA News.

Winner Of Tom Aspinall vs. Curtis Blaydes At UFC 304 Touted To Be Long-Reigning Heavyweight Champion: ‘He Kind Of Cruises A Little Bit’

Daniel Cormier and Anthony Smith recently shared their belief that the victor of the Tom Aspinall vs. Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304 is destined to dominate the heavyweight division for years to come. Aspinall is set to run it back with Blaydes to defend his UFC interim heavyweight championship in the co-headliner of the upcoming […]

Continue Reading Winner Of Tom Aspinall vs. Curtis Blaydes At UFC 304 Touted To Be Long-Reigning Heavyweight Champion: ‘He Kind Of Cruises A Little Bit’ at MMA News.

Daniel Cormier and Anthony Smith recently shared their belief that the victor of the Tom Aspinall vs. Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304 is destined to dominate the heavyweight division for years to come.

Aspinall is set to run it back with Blaydes to defend his UFC interim heavyweight championship in the co-headliner of the upcoming pay-per-view event, scheduled for this Saturday at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester, United Kingdom.

The two fighters previously crossed paths two years ago in the main event of UFC Fight Night London in July 2022. In that bout, “Razor” emerged victorious with a 15-second TKO after the Brit sustained an unfortunate knee injury.

Aspinall had hoped to unify his belt after knocking out Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 295 with heavyweight champion Jon Jones. However, realizing that a bout with “Bones” is unlikely due to Jones’s determination to face Stipe Miocic next, potentially the last fight of both their careers, Aspinall chose to pivot. Embracing the situation, he decided to defend his interim title instead.

According to Cormier and Smith, the upcoming rematch between Aspinall and Blaydes is set to determine the future kingpin of the heavyweight division…

Cormier Declares Aspinall vs Blaydes Interim Title Fight As True Championship Bout

During a recent video on the ESPN MMA YouTube channel, Cormier and Smith delved into the upcoming rematch between Aspinall and Blaydes. “DC” emphasized that the exceptional skill levels and challenging styles of both fighters make this bout the one that will ultimately reveal the true heavyweight champion.

“There’s a lot of confidence in Tom Aspinall as he holds the interim championship, which I believe is the actual heavyweight championship of the world,” Cormier said. “Because I think he’ll be more active than Jon Jones or Stipe Miocic.”

“Lionheart” echoed Cormier’s sentiment, suggesting that with Jones and Miocic nearing the end of their careers, Aspinall and Blaydes are poised to take over and dominate the heavyweight division for the foreseeable future.

“I totally agree, and I think that the fact that these guys are fighting now almost solidifies a long title run in my mind,” Smith said. “I think these two guys are the hardest matchups for each other. They’re both big, they’re both physical, both crazy athletic for their size, and both of them can wrestle… I think Curtis beats Aspinall, he kind of cruises for a little bit, and if Aspinall beats Curtis, he absolutely cruises for a little bit.”

During the pre-fight press conference on Thursday, UFC CEO Dana White said that the winner of the Aspinall vs. Blaydes bout will go on to challenge the winner of the Jones vs. Miocic showdown, which is rumored to take place in November.

Continue Reading Winner Of Tom Aspinall vs. Curtis Blaydes At UFC 304 Touted To Be Long-Reigning Heavyweight Champion: ‘He Kind Of Cruises A Little Bit’ at MMA News.

Chael Sonnen Explains Why Stipe Miocic Is ‘Primed’ To Defeat Jon Jones When They Fight: ‘He Realized I Gotta Be More Man…’

Chael Sonnen recently expressed his belief that Stipe Miocic has the upper hand in his potential fight against Jon Jones. The much-anticipated clash between Miocic and reigning heavyweight champion Jones has been the talk of the MMA world since it was first announced. The excitement reached a fever pitch, only to be dashed last October […]

Continue Reading Chael Sonnen Explains Why Stipe Miocic Is ‘Primed’ To Defeat Jon Jones When They Fight: ‘He Realized I Gotta Be More Man…’ at MMA News.

Chael Sonnen recently expressed his belief that Stipe Miocic has the upper hand in his potential fight against Jon Jones.

The much-anticipated clash between Miocic and reigning heavyweight champion Jones has been the talk of the MMA world since it was first announced. The excitement reached a fever pitch, only to be dashed last October when “Bones” tore his pectoral muscle just two weeks before their scheduled bout at UFC 295 in November 2023.

The widespread anticipation is that the long-overdue bout will headline the UFC’s return to Madison Square Garden this November. Jones has also fueled the excitement with his continuous hints, yet the MMA promotion has not officially confirmed the event.

Miocic last competed at UFC 260 in March 2021, where he suffered a second-round knockout defeat in a rematch against former heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou. Although he has been absent from the Octagon for over three years, Sonnen believes the 41-year-old Ohio native could still pull off a stunning upset against Jones if they were to fight…

Sonnen Suggests Miocic’s Apparent Bulk Could Aid in Jones Fight

During a recent episode of ESPN’s Good Guy / Bad Guy with Daniel Cormier, Sonnen delved into a discussion about fighters who have the potential to dethrone reigning UFC champions by the year’s end.

“The Bad Guy” expressed confidence in Miocic’s ability to defeat Jones in their potential matchup. Sonnen revealed that he recently spoke with the former longtime heavyweight champion about his current walk-around weight, and Miocic disclosed he’s around 252 pounds.

The former middleweight title challenger told “DC” that Miocic’s added muscle mass could significantly enhance his power, a game-changing factor in a showdown with Jones.

“If Stipe does in fact come in at 252 [pounds], that’s very different,” Sonnen said. “The first time you [Cormier] fought him, he was 246, and the second time you fought him, he was 233… But after he lost to Francis, Stipe thought that he was going to draw into a trilogy against Francis, and he realized I got to be a bigger man and got to have more size on me.”

“He buckled down and focused on the same thing that Jon Jones did to gain weight. Stipe did the same thing; he added the right kind of weight, and that’s going to change the perception of power ability for takedowns. Stipe is going to show up at Madison Square Garden, and he is primed to get a victory.”

Despite his extended hiatus, Miocic has been unwavering in his desire to face “Bones” in his comeback fight, expressing his willingness to wait for the opportunity. He’s recently made it clear that if the Jones bout doesn’t materialize, he’s prepared to retire.

Continue Reading Chael Sonnen Explains Why Stipe Miocic Is ‘Primed’ To Defeat Jon Jones When They Fight: ‘He Realized I Gotta Be More Man…’ at MMA News.

Rising UK Contender Lerone Murphy Feels Jon Jones ‘Deserves’ Special Treatment To Avoid Tom Aspinall Fight

Lerone Murphy recently suggested that Jon Jones warrants special deference to avoid a potential showdown with Tom Aspinall. Aspinall’s patience appears to be wearing thin as he persistently calls out Jones for a UFC heavyweight title unification bout. The interim heavyweight champion has been unreservedly articulate about his eagerness to challenge “Bones” ever since he […]

Continue Reading Rising UK Contender Lerone Murphy Feels Jon Jones ‘Deserves’ Special Treatment To Avoid Tom Aspinall Fight at MMA News.

Lerone Murphy recently suggested that Jon Jones warrants special deference to avoid a potential showdown with Tom Aspinall.

Aspinall’s patience appears to be wearing thin as he persistently calls out Jones for a UFC heavyweight title unification bout. The interim heavyweight champion has been unreservedly articulate about his eagerness to challenge “Bones” ever since he claimed the title at UFC 295 last November.

However, “Bones” has shown little interest in the much-anticipated matchup with Aspinall. Instead of considering a showdown, the reigning heavyweight champion has made it clear that his focus is firmly on fighting Stipe Miocic, a bout expected to headline UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden this November.

Jones has often teased the possibility of retiring after conquering an esteemed former heavyweight champion like Miocic, which would further solidify his status as the GOAT. Meanwhile, “The Miracle” believes that with everything Jones has already accomplished in the sport, there’s no need for him to prove himself against Aspinall…

Murphy Thinks Jones Enjoys Perks Uncommon To Other Fighters

During a recent interview with Title Sports Network, Murphy weighed in on the escalating tension between Jones and Aspinall, noting that things have taken a turn for the worse. The undefeated featherweight contender remarked that Aspinall should have taken a tougher stance from the start. However, he doubts his fellow countryman will secure the fight he’s after, as Jones enjoys certain well-earned privileges from the UFC.

“I think he should have been doing that from the get-go,” Murphy said. “Obviously, he’s being respectful of the greatest of all time, and I feel like he should be doing that, and it’s good, but I don’t think he’s going to get the fight. But yeah, it’s good for him to do. I feel like Jon’s getting the treatment he deserves, though, but he’s getting a different treatment than everybody else because usually if there’s an interim champion, you have to come back and fight the champion.”

Jones last graced the Octagon in March 2023, where he claimed the heavyweight title with a decisive submission victory over Ciryl Gane at UFC 285. He was set to defend his title for the first time against Miocic at UFC 295, but “Bones” was compelled to withdraw just two weeks before the fight due to a severe pectoral injury.

Continue Reading Rising UK Contender Lerone Murphy Feels Jon Jones ‘Deserves’ Special Treatment To Avoid Tom Aspinall Fight at MMA News.