Tag: UFC London

Tom Aspinall clamors for Sergei Pavlovich after UFC London win: ‘I definitely want to fight him’

Tom Aspinall welcomes fight with Sergei Pavlovich in UFC definitely want to fight himDespite initially calling for a title eliminator against the victor of a UFC Fight Night Paris headliner between Ciryl Gane and Sergei Spivak, recent UFC London winner, Tom Aspinall has not shied away from a bout with Russian knockout ace, Sergei Pavlovich, stressing how he “definitely” wants to clash with him. Headlining UFC London just […]

Tom Aspinall welcomes fight with Sergei Pavlovich in UFC definitely want to fight him

Despite initially calling for a title eliminator against the victor of a UFC Fight Night Paris headliner between Ciryl Gane and Sergei Spivak, recent UFC London winner, Tom Aspinall has not shied away from a bout with Russian knockout ace, Sergei Pavlovich, stressing how he “definitely” wants to clash with him.

Headlining UFC London just last weekend, Aspinall returned to the Octagon following a catastrophic knee injury the year prior, stopping Polish veteran, Marcin Tybura with a stunning first round TKO in the capital.

In the immediate aftermath of the pairing, the Atherton native welcomed the possibility of a title eliminator against former interim champion, Gane, or former opponent, Spivak – with the European contenders slated to headline at the Accor Arena in France on September 2. 

Drawing the attention of current undisputed heavyweight champion, Jon Jones, Aspinall stressed that he wanted to fight the Endicott native for gold following his return at UFC 295 in November at Madison Square Garden.

Tom Aspinall welcomes title eliminator with Sergei Pavlovich

However, as far as a suggested pairing with streaking knockout ace, Pavlovich, Aspinall maintained he definitely wanted to fight the Russian.

“I wouldn’t turn him (Sergei Pavlovich) down, definitely not,” Tom Aspinall told the Daily Star. “I definitely want to fight him. I probably – I don’t know (why I didn’t call him out) I think he just wasn’t fresh in my mind. I think it’s because everyone was talking about UFC Paris all week and what a good event it would be.”

“I think I forgot about Pavlovich, to be honest,” Tom Aspinall explained. “But if he’s the number one contender, then I want to fight him. I’m not really fussed with the direction which UFC go – I’m ready for anyone.” 

The current number one ranked heavyweight contender, has enjoyed a stunning six-fight winning run since a knockout loss to Alistair Overeem in his Octagon debut racking up wins over the likes of Curtis Blaydes, Tai Tuivasa, Derrick Lewis, and Shamil Abdurakhimov to name a few. 

Would you like to see Tom Aspinall vs. Sergei Pavlovich next?

Jon Jones sends deleted message to Tom Aspinall: ‘Everyone’s the next big thing until I beat them’

Jon Jones warning to Tom Aspinall everybody is the next big thing before I beat them UFCJon Jones appears to have taken note of a recent call out from the surging, Tom Aspinall following his win at UFC London – warning the British heavyweight that he as a knack of defeated the consensus “next big thing”. Jones, the current undisputed heavyweight champion and former two-time light heavyweight gold holder, is slated […]

Jon Jones warning to Tom Aspinall everybody is the next big thing before I beat them UFC

Jon Jones appears to have taken note of a recent call out from the surging, Tom Aspinall following his win at UFC London – warning the British heavyweight that he as a knack of defeated the consensus “next big thing”.

Jones, the current undisputed heavyweight champion and former two-time light heavyweight gold holder, is slated to make his return to the Octagon at UFC 295 in November at Madison Square Garden, taking on the returning former two-time champion, Stipe Miocic.

Earlier this year, the Endicott-born look-see-do fighter returned triumphantly from a three-year-plus layoff, taking on former interim champion, Ciryl Gane in a vacant title offing.

Striking divisional gold in his heavyweight bow, Jon Jones submitted the Frenchman with a dominant opening round guillotine choke submission win.

And following his knockout win over Marcin Tybura over the weekend in his return to the Octagon following a debilitating knee injury, Aspinall called for a future title pairing with Jones. 

Jon Jones sends deleted warning to Tom Aspinall following UFC London

However, this morning, in a now-deleted post, Jones claimed that Aspinall may be the “next big thing”, however, he has an ability to comfortably dispatch fighters with that billing.

“Everyone’s the next big thing until I beat them,” Jon Jones tweeted. “And then it’s like well, who was that guy anyway? Just a few months ago (Ciryl) Gane was the absolute future of MMA. Best foot work, fastest heavyweight we have ever seen. The most athletic. Now everyone’s like who the hell is that guy?”

Linked with a potential retirement of his own in a return to his home state for his heavyweight title defense against Miocic before the end of this year, Jones is firmly on the radar of Aspinall – with the Atherton native welcoming a title-eliminator with either Gane, or former-foe, Sergei Spivak before challenging Jones for the undisputed heavyweight championship.

‘Meatball’ Molly McCann announces move to strawweight amid back-to-back losses: ‘It’s time to drop down’

Molly McCannMeatball’ Molly McCann is making some adjustments as she once again looks to recover from back-to-back losses inside the Octagon. The Liverpudlian fan favorite came up short in her return at UFC London on Saturday, suffering a first-round submission loss at the hands of 11-7-1 fighter Julija Stoliarenko. McCann has now lost two straight via […]

Molly McCann

Meatball’ Molly McCann is making some adjustments as she once again looks to recover from back-to-back losses inside the Octagon.

The Liverpudlian fan favorite came up short in her return at UFC London on Saturday, suffering a first-round submission loss at the hands of 11-7-1 fighter Julija Stoliarenko. McCann has now lost two straight via submission in the first round, prompting ‘Meatball’ to make a much-needed change in her mixed martial arts career.

Taking to Instagram, McCann revealed that she will be moving down to strawweight in hopes of fighting women that better match her size and stature.

I have always had the toughest road and journey in life, that’s just the Molly McCann way, and I’m okay with that,” McCann wrote. “The highs are the highest and the lows, well I don’t think I have words that do the pain and hurt justice. But dare to dream ay! If there’s one thing I know, it’s how to always overcome adversity and this is no different. 20 months ago I was sitting in this same position, 2 back to back losses and ready to pack it in. Then a boss run and my world changed forever.

“We have one more adjustment to make and I believe that will make all the difference in the world, the smallest in the division makes it tough when the opponents are so much bigger. So for me it’s time to drop down and face the girls who are the same size!”

Molly McCann Has Been Here Before

Making her Octagon debut in 2018, Molly McCann came up short against Gillian Robertson, but quickly bounced back, rattling off three straight wins against Priscila Cachoeira, Ariane Lipski, and Diana Belbi??. However, her momentum came to a crashing halt when she lost back-to-back unanimous decisions against Taila Sanoto and Lara Fritzen.

Again, ‘Meatball’ bit down on her mouthpiece and landed three more wins, including star-making knockouts against Luana Carolina and Hannah Goldy. The victories matched with her highly publicized friendship with Paddy Pimblett made McCann a bonafide superstar in her home country, but she has failed to capitalize on the momentum when it comes to making headway in the flyweight division.

A move to strawweight could open up a whole new world for Molly McCann as a plethora of fresh matchups and possibilities await her.

Paul Craig confident of submission win over UFC star Khamzat Chimaev: ‘There’s a good chance he’d get triangle’d’

Paul Craig plans submission win over Khamzat Chimaev UFC he'd get triangle'dOff the back of his impressive second round win over Dana White’s Contender Series alum, Andre Muniz over the weekend at UFC London, Scottish grappler, Paul Craig has claimed he would likely land a submission win over Khamzat Chimaev, as well as calling out the undefeated, Bo Nickal. Snapping a two-fight losing skid to both […]

Paul Craig plans submission win over Khamzat Chimaev UFC he'd get triangle'd

Off the back of his impressive second round win over Dana White’s Contender Series alum, Andre Muniz over the weekend at UFC London, Scottish grappler, Paul Craig has claimed he would likely land a submission win over Khamzat Chimaev, as well as calling out the undefeated, Bo Nickal.

Snapping a two-fight losing skid to both Volkan Oezdemir, and Johnny Walker, the latter of which at the beginning of the year at UFC 283 in Brazil, Craig made a middleweight divisional bow over the weekend at The O2 Arena.

And snapping his losing run, Craig, who is likely set to land a ranking in the top-15 of the middleweight division come the release of the rankings update tomorrow, forced a second round stoppage win over fellow grappling talent, Muniz, laying waste to the Brazilian with a slew of ground elbow strikes for a TKO success.

Off the back of his win, Craig welcomed the prospect of fighting recent winner, Nickal, who has so far enjoyed a stunning run throughout his brief tenure under the UFC banner.

Paul Craig plots submission win over the unbeaten, Khamzat Chimaev

And as far as a potential future pairing with the undefeated, Chimaev in the future, Craig claimed he would be confident of submitting the Chechen-born finisher if they shared the Octagon.

“Everybody in middleweight’s got an opportunity to fight me,” Paul Craig told assembled media after UFC London. “If it is Khamzat (Chimaev) and he takes me down, there’s a good chance that he’s going to get triangle’d. My Jiu-Jitsu, I never had faith in my Jiu-Jitsu and it’s starting to build up.”

“People say, ‘Paul’s got good Jiu-Jitsu,’ but you always doubt your abilities,” Paul Craig explained. “This fight here, was one of the ones where I was like, ‘Right, if I’m a Jiu-Jitsu guy, I must be able to defend and I must be able to attack and I must be able to win [this] fight.’ I’m a Jiu-Jitsu guy who is dangerous in MMA.” (Transcribed by MMA News)

As for Chimaev, the AllStars MMA staple is slated to make his return at UFC 294 in October, making a middleweight divisional return against former title chaser, Paulo Costa – whom he claimed he would make “cry’ inside the Octagon. 

Ciryl Gane issues warning to Tom Aspinall following UFC London call out: ‘Be careful what you wish for’

Ciryl Gane issues warning to Tom Aspinall UFC London be careful what you wish forFormer interim heavyweight champion, Ciryl Gane has issued a warning to Tom Aspinall following the Manchester native’s stunning win at UFC London overnight, urging the contender to be careful for what he wishes, after he offered to fight the Frenchman in a title-eliminator in his next Octagon walk. Gane, the current number two ranked heavyweight […]

Ciryl Gane issues warning to Tom Aspinall UFC London be careful what you wish for

Former interim heavyweight champion, Ciryl Gane has issued a warning to Tom Aspinall following the Manchester native’s stunning win at UFC London overnight, urging the contender to be careful for what he wishes, after he offered to fight the Frenchman in a title-eliminator in his next Octagon walk.

Gane, the current number two ranked heavyweight contender, is slated to make his Octagon return atop a UFC Fight Night Paris card in September, taking on soon-to-be common-foe, Sergei Spivak in a headlining clash.

The former interim heavyweight champion has been sidelined from active competition since March of this year, suffering a stunning opening round guillotine choke loss to Jon Jones in the pair’s vacant heavyweight championship battle.

As for Aspinall, the fan-favorite British contender returned triumphantly at UFC London last night in the capital, stopping Polish veteran, Marcin Tybura with a massive first round TKO – emerging from the headlining slot completely unscathed in a career-highlight performance.

Linked with a title fight against incumbent gold holder, Jones off the back of his return to winning-ways against perennial contender, Tybura last night, Aspinall laid out a roadmap to his premiere title challenge, claiming he would first fight either Gane or former opponent, Spivak first and foremost.

“I’m gonna go to Paris, I’m going to sit front row for Ciryl Gane vs. Sergei Spivak,” Tom Aspinall told Michael Bisping following his UFC London win during his post-fight Octagon interview. “I’m gonna beat the winner, then I’m gonna beat Jon Jones.” 

Ciryl Gane issues stern warning to Tom Aspinall following UFC London

And while Jones has welcomed a future title defense against Aspinall following his November title defense against Stipe Miocic at UFC 295, Gane has urged the Atherton native to watch his wishes.

“Great performance, Tom (Aspinall), careful what you wish for,” Ciryl Gane tweeted. “See you in Paris.”

Jon Jones reacts to call out from Tom Aspinall for UFC title clash: ‘Sounds good lol’

Tom AspinallReigning UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones offered up his reaction to Tom Aspinall’s call-out at UFC London. On Saturday, the promotion returned to the O2 Arena for another stacked night of fights in The Big Smoke. In the co-main event of the evening, local fan favorite ‘Meatball’ Molly McCann came up short in her return […]

Tom Aspinall

Reigning UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones offered up his reaction to Tom Aspinall’s call-out at UFC London.

On Saturday, the promotion returned to the O2 Arena for another stacked night of fights in The Big Smoke. In the co-main event of the evening, local fan favorite ‘Meatball’ Molly McCann came up short in her return to the Octagon, suffering a first-round submission loss at the hands of Julija Stoliarenko. The UK crowd was understandably dejected, but it didn’t take long for them to forget all about McCann’s fumble once heavyweight contender Tom Aspinall stepped inside the Octagon.

Returning a year after suffering a devastating knee injury 15 seconds into his last appearance against Curtis Blaydes, Tom Aspinall showed the world that not only is he back, but he’s better than ever. Aspinall only needed 73 seconds to dispatch his opponent, Marcin Tybura, and re-establish himself as one of the heavyweight division’s most legitimate contenders.

Following the victory, Aspinall laid out a very simple three-step plan en route to becoming the UFC heavyweight world champion.

“I’m gonna go to Paris, I’m gonna sit in the front row and see Cyril Gane vs. Serghei Spivak, I’m gonna beat the winner, and then I’m gonna beat Jon Jones,” Aspinall said in his post-fight interview.“

Jon Jones is Ready to Welcome Tom Aspinall to the Title Picture

It didn’t take long for the heavyweight champ to issue a response. Taking to Twitter, Jon Jones seemingly approved of Aspinall’s plan. “Sounds good lol,” Jones tweeted.

Tom Aspinall is now 6-1 inside the Octagon, his only loss coming due to the knee injury he suffered in London last year. Prior to that, Aspinall picked off two absolute juggernauts in the heavyweight division, Alexander Volkov and Sergei Spivac. Aspinall has finished all of his opponents under the UFC banner thus far with only one of them, Andrei Arlovski, escaping the first round.

He currently sits as the No. 5 ranked fighter in the division and is likely one big win away from solidifying himself as the next man in line for a heavyweight title opportunity.

Currently, Jon Jones is slated to defend his title against general consensus heavyweight GOAT Stipe Miocic when the promotion returns to the world-famous Madison Square Garden in November for UFC 295.