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Tag: Jon Jones

  • Jon Anik Differs From Dana White On Jon Jones’ Future: ‘If I Could Get A Betting Line On Jones vs. Aspinall Never F*cking Happening…’ 

    Jon Anik Differs From Dana White On Jon Jones’ Future: ‘If I Could Get A Betting Line On Jones vs. Aspinall Never F*cking Happening…’ 

    Unlike UFC CEO Dana White, Jon Anik isn’t confident that Jon Jones sticks around to fight interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall.

    Not many topics have remained at the surface of the mixed martial arts community in 2024 quite like the UFC’s heavyweight title picture, which currently boasts two champions but uncertainty regarding whether they will ever face each other.

    That problem arose after an injury to Jones late last year saw his planned defense against Stipe Miocic canceled and an interim titleholder crowned in his absence. And when Aspinall captured that belt, talk turned to a unification showdown.

    However, both Jones and the UFC have other plans, remaining firm on rearranging the Miocic fight for the Madison Square Garden event this November. In the meantime, Aspinall has recorded the first successful defense of his gold, knocking out Curtis Blaydes in quick time at UFC 304 last month.

    While the Brit — as well as plenty of fans and analysts — has expressed doubt over his dream fight with Jones reaching the Octagon, White recently predicted that the all-time great will delay a possible retirement should he defeat Miocic in order to face the challenge of Aspinall.

    But the man who would be tasked with calling that monumental heavyweight clash doesn’t have high hopes…

    Anik Doesn’t Share White’s Confidence On Jones vs. Miocic Coming To Fruition

    During the latest episode of his podcast alongside ex-fighter Kenny Florian, Anik gave his take on the current status of the championship conversation at heavyweight.

    The longtime play-by-play commentator shared White’s sentiment when it comes to Jones wanting to challenge himself against the division’s highly regarded interim champ. Anik doesn’t, however, believe that feeling will be stronger than the Rochester native’s desire to protect his legacy on MMA’s biggest stage.

    “I would agree with Dana White in so far as that Jon Jones, if he beats Stipe Miocic, would want to challenge himself against someone like Tom Aspinall,” Anik said. “And what better way to put a capstone on your career as the consensus greatest MMA fighter of all time than to beat a guy in Tom Aspinall who is all the rage at present, and a guy who many forecast to be the greatest mixed martial arts heavyweight of all time. I think he wants the challenge — not at the expense of his legacy.

    “If he can beat Stipe Miocic as a -350 betting favorite and ride off into the Albuquerque sunset, I am expectant that that is what he is going to do,” Anik continued. “I know Dana and others have said they’d be surprised if Jon doesn’t bite off that Aspinall challenge if he beats Stipe. I would, with respect, go the other way. If I could get a betting line on Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall never f*cking happening, I would ask my wife if I could, you know, spend several figures on that.”

    For now, Jones appears to be ramping up his physical activity as he prepares to make his way back from injury later this year. What comes after a potential victory over the returning Miocic, however, remains to be seen.

  • ‘And People Act Like He Won’t Do This To Aspinall’ – Fans React To Video Of Jon Jones’ Elite Grappling With Gordon Ryan

    ‘And People Act Like He Won’t Do This To Aspinall’ – Fans React To Video Of Jon Jones’ Elite Grappling With Gordon Ryan

    Jon Jones may be the most skilled mixed martial artist that the sport has ever seen.

    What can easily be forgotten about when it comes to the skills that “Bones” brings to the table is his high-level grappling which he rarely uses.

    For the majority of his run in the light heavyweight division, Jones chose to strike with opponents instead which shows how well-rounded he is.

    Fans did get another quick glimpse at his grappling ability in his heavyweight debut against Ciryl Gane, where he was able to quickly secure a takedown and guillotine submission to become world champion in another weight class.

    With all of this being said, large sections of the MMA fanbase haven’t been willing to give Jones his flowers as of late due to the ongoing conversation around him and the interim champion, Tom Aspinall.

    MMA Fans React As Jon Jones Holds His Own With Gordon Ryan

    A recent video on social media showed yet another look at Jones’ high-level grappling as he mixed it up on the mats with Gordon Ryan.

    As well as being a big and powerful athlete, Ryan is one of the best jiu-jitsu competitors ever and at least in this clip, “Bones” is able to hold his own.

    As is the case with everything that Jones posts as of late, many of the replies underneath were in reference to a potential fight with Aspinall, which fans have been very outspoken about.

    Whilst some believe that this fight is to make instead of having him return against Stipe Miocic, others have sided with the heavyweight champion and believe that the Aspinall hype train has gotten out of hand.

    “And people act like he won’t do this to Aspinall in a f***in heartbeat”

    “BREAKING NEWS Dana White’s burner account gets leaked under the account name ‘blonded’”

    “I realized after he cooked Gane”

    “People don’t realize how small Gordon Ryan is compared to Tom Aspinall.”

    “Jones would beat Aspinall easily. Respect the GOAT”

    https://twitter.com/DeWizard7/status/1821771447137636662

    “No way you think Gordon Ryan was actually trying???”

    “I don’t wanna hear anybody saying Aspinall beats him”

    Read also: TJ Dillashaw Criticises Anthony Smith: ‘He Doesn’t Have That Dog In Him…’

  • Jon Jones Hints That He Is Going To Retire In 2024 After Stipe Miocic Fight

    Jon Jones Hints That He Is Going To Retire In 2024 After Stipe Miocic Fight

    Jon Jones recently alluded to the possibility that his potential showdown with Stipe Miocic could mark the final chapter of his illustrious career.

    The reigning UFC heavyweight champion is expected to put his title on the line against Miocic at UFC 309, slated for Madison Square Garden in New York City on November 16. However, the UFC has yet to officially confirm the showdown.

    For Jones, this fight is one he’s been pursuing since he made his heavyweight debut in March 2023. On the other side, Miocic is determined to solidify his legacy as the greatest heavyweight in history by defeating arguably the most legendary MMA fighter of all time—Jones.

    The bout brings the looming possibility that this epic clash could be the swan song for one, if not both, of these iconic fighters. “Bones”, in particular, appears determined to hang up his gloves by the year’s end…

    Jones Signals Retirement At ‘Age 37’

    Jones recently engaged with a random fan on Instagram who made a sly remark about the UFC star’s domestic violence incident involving his fiancée, Jessie Moses, back in September 2021. However, “Bones” chose not to respond with anything sharp. Instead, he subtly hinted at the possibility of retiring later this year.

    “Fun fact: after this year, Jon Jones will never have to work again,” Jones wrote. “Retired at age 37. Winning.”

    The former longtime UFC light heavyweight champion has toyed with the idea of retirement before, especially after a potential victory over Miocic. He has long suggested a strategy for stepping away, aiming to defeat the greatest heavyweight champion and then leave the sport with his GOAT status firmly secured.

    Jones was last seen in action when he secured the heavyweight title by submitting Ciryl Gane at UFC 285 in March 2023. Originally scheduled to make his first title defense against Miocic at UFC 295 last November, the 37-year-old New Yorker was forced to withdraw just days before the fight due to a serious pectoral injury.

    Jones stepped into the professional MMA scene for the first time in April 2008 at a Full Force Productions event. Just four months later, he made his promotional debut at UFC 87: Seek and Destroy, facing off against Andre Gusmao and launching what would become an iconic career.

  • ‘Training The Triathlon To Run Away From Aspinall’ – MMA Fans Hijack Jon Jones’ Social Media

    ‘Training The Triathlon To Run Away From Aspinall’ – MMA Fans Hijack Jon Jones’ Social Media

    The UFC has always had a reputation for giving the fans the fights that they want to see but right now, it appears that what they want most is something they can’t have.

    Jon Jones is, by many people’s estimations, especially Dana White’s, the best to ever step inside the Octagon and after winning the heavyweight title, it makes sense that he would want to take on arguably the best UFC heavyweight ever, Stipe Miocic.

    Some had issues with the fight when it was first announced for UFC 295 last November due to the amount of time that Miocic has been out for and the fact that his last fight was a loss.

    This outcry only became far louder when an injury to Jones pushed the fight back another year, with Tom Aspinall then going on to become the interim champion.

    Fans have been constantly calling for Jones to unify the heavyweight title next against Aspinall, rather than fighting Miocic, even if that simply isn’t going to happen.

    MMA Fans Continue Relentless Push For Jon Jones vs Tom Aspinall

    With Jones even offering up a phone number that people can call if they want to see the Aspinall fight happen, he’s very aware of fan sentiment because he sees it under everything he posts.

    The heavyweight champion’s latest social media video shows him doing lengths in the pool and even that wasn’t safe from scrutiny regarding the Aspinall fight.

    “Just when you thought it was safe …”

    https://twitter.com/Jabjitsu/status/1820974319112953884

    “When are you fighting Tom?”

    “You should consider getting into the deep end with Tom.”

    “Ducks do like to swim, after all.”

    “Jon training the Triathlon to run away from Aspinall.”

    “Relinquish your belt”

    https://twitter.com/Fargolde/status/1820965971357790689

    “Tom owns u lil buddy. Less swimming more fighting.”

    “Imagine how good it’d feel to be back in the octagon fighting contenders instead of holding up a division.”

    Read also: BREAKING: Francis Ngannou’s MMA Return Official For PFL Super Fight Card On Oct. 19, Cris Cyborg Co-Headlines

  • Ben Askren Calls Out UFC’s Hypocrisy In Not Booking Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall: ‘That’s What Boxing Does’

    Ben Askren Calls Out UFC’s Hypocrisy In Not Booking Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall: ‘That’s What Boxing Does’

    Former UFC fighter Ben Askren thinks Dana White’s comments on the issues in boxing make no sense while he refuses to make the biggest fight at heavyweight.

    One topic that has remained at the surface in 2024 is Jon Jones’ return from injury. His first title defense was originally set to come against Stipe Miocic at last November’s UFC 295 event at Madison Square Garden.

    After injury forced “Bones” out, an interim champion was crowned in his absence. Tom Aspinall’s triumph over Sergei Pavlovich added a second titleholder to the division and appeared to set up a unification showdown with Jones.

    But both the Rochester native and the UFC have remained firm on rescheduling the Miocic matchup in spite of Aspinall’s gold, and that appears to still be the case following the Brit’s successful defense against Curtis Blaydes last month in Manchester.

    Plenty in the community have spoken out against plans for Jones and Miocic to meet toward the end of this year, citing the heavyweight legend’s inactivity to insist that a clash with Aspinall is more intriguing.

    And according to one former fighter, the promotion’s rejection of that goes directly against the UFC CEO’s frequent comments about what sets his organization apart from boxing’s politics…

    Askren On Jones vs. Aspinall Delay: ‘The Fact That Dana’s Playing Along…’

    During the latest episode of his Funky and the Champ YouTube show alongside Daniel Cormier, Askren gave his latest take on the heavyweight title picture.

    “Funky,” a former Bellator and ONE Championship kingpin, pointed to the UFC’s claim of putting on the biggest and best fights in comparison to boxing, a sport that White has often criticized for its politics and failure to pair the top names against one another.

    By not staging Jones vs. Aspinall, however, Askren believes White and the UFC is abandoning that principle.

    “I almost feel like maybe Jon’s got some dirt on Dana or something,” Askren said. “Dana generally would not put up with this type of behavior. He would say — and this is what the UFC’s been founded on where boxing wasn’t — ‘we want the best guys to fight. We want to see who the actual best guy is. We don’t want to waste time with shenanigans. We don’t want to pad records…we don’t do that; that’s what boxing does. In the UFC, we put the best guys in there, we see who wins.’

    “The fact that Dana’s playing along and letting him and Stipe fight — Stipe’s gonna be close to four years (since his last fight). And you have this young interim champion — I mean, he’s a beast, he smashes people,” Askren continued. “The fact they won’t put them in there together — and then there’s this obvious (chance) that Jon beats Stipe and then says, ‘I’m done, I’m gone,’ and then we never get to see that. … Dana almost always presses these issues with the best guys.”

    After pausing his pursuit of Jones and focusing on retaining his belt and securing redemption against Blaydes on home soil, Aspinall turned his attention back to the all-time great following his quick triumph.

    And the interim champ has since vowed not to return unless undisputed status is on the line.

  • Dana White: Jon Jones & Stipe Miocic Have ‘Paid Their Dues’ But ‘Owe’ Tom Aspinall Title Unification Fight

    Dana White: Jon Jones & Stipe Miocic Have ‘Paid Their Dues’ But ‘Owe’ Tom Aspinall Title Unification Fight

    Dana White has stuck to his guns regarding the expected upcoming heavyweight title fight between the champion Jon Jones and the returning Stipe Miocic.

    This match-up has been controversial ever since Jones was forced to push the fight back a year due to an injury – which then led to Tom Aspinall winning the interim title and defending it this past month.

    White has said that he expects the winner of that fight to then unify the division against Aspinall, stating after UFC 304 that it would be a great shame if both Jones and Miocic retire after their eventual clash, as many expect them both to do.

    He recently cleared the air once again on what he believes are the next steps for the heavyweight division now that Aspinall has defended his title whilst we await Jones’ return.

    Dana White Says That Jon Jones & Stipe Miocic Deserve To Fight One Another But Owe It To Aspinall Afterwards

    In a recent interview with Kevin Iole, White addressed the idea that some of the fans believe that Aspinall deserves to fight Jones next rather than Miocic.

    He believes that this decision comes down to the two men that were originally set to meet at UFC 295 last November because of what they’ve done in the sport.

    However, he also clarifies that in his opinion, the winner of the heavyweight title fight should then have to pay it forward by giving Aspinall the chance to fight for the undisputed title before riding off into the sunset.

    “He [Aspinall] looks like the future of the heavyweight division right but at the same time, he’s working his way up. He’s climbing up the ladder and everybody’s like, ‘He deserves this and he deserves that.’ He doesn’t deserve anything. He looks great and he looks like he’s going to be the guy. You’ve got Stipe and Jon who have paid their dues, they’ve been here forever, they fought everybody, they fought all the fights that you could possibly fight. These guys deserve to fight each other.

    “Whoever wins that fight, I think that they owe it to Aspinall to fight him and give him the opportunity that they’ve been given. When you look at Jon Jones and Stipe, they beat all the guys right? And you’re either gonna be the guy that’s gonna cement your legacy forever or you’re gonna hand the torch off the way that it was handed off to you guys by all the guys that came before you.”

    Read also: Conor McGregor Brands Donald Trump’s Pick For His Favorite UFC Fighter A ‘Campaign-Ending Decision’

  • ‘Bro Gave Out Belal’s Number’ – Fans React After Jon Jones Posts Phone Number To Canvass Support For Tom Aspinall Fight

    ‘Bro Gave Out Belal’s Number’ – Fans React After Jon Jones Posts Phone Number To Canvass Support For Tom Aspinall Fight

    Jon Jones was sure to have a close eye on the recent co-main event of UFC 304, which featured a man that he has spoken about a lot recently in Tom Aspinall.

    The Brit defended his interim title on home soil by stopping Curtis Blaydes in the opening minute of their rematch, before going on to call Jones out.

    He simply said that he has nothing personal towards “Bones” but believes he’s the better fighter and would like the opportunity to prove it before the heavyweight champion potentially retires, after his rescheduled title defense against Stipe Miocic.

    Jones gave a quick and to the point reaction to that fight but eventually, the constant call from fans to make the fight happen has led to a follow-up post from the consensus greatest of all time.

    MMA Fans React To Jon Jones’ Tom Aspinall Fight Hotline

    In a recent post on X, Jones appeared to share a phone number that links to Glenview, Illinois.

    The caption on the screenshot says that anyone that wants to see this heavyweight title unification happen should contact this number where Jones will be available over the coming days.

    He later urged that in the case the phone is switched off, people should still contact this number via text so he can get back to them – which is clearly some kind of joke that he’s playing on someone.

    Fans reacted to this slightly odd post from the heavyweight champion on social media and tried to guess whose number it actually is.

    “Dom Reyes watching his phone blow up”

    “Who tf did you just dox bro”

    “If this is Chael’s number, it would be the best prank ever”

    “Dc watching his phone blow up”

    “Ariel helwani’s number probably”

    “Bro gave out Belals number”

    Read also: Tom Aspinall Questions UFC’s ‘Unfair’ Decision Not To Renew Muhammad Mokaev’s Contract

  • Did Jon Jones Leak His Phone Number?

    Did Jon Jones Leak His Phone Number?

    Although he last fought in March 2023, Jon Jones is the undisputed UFC heavyweight champion. He bagged the title in his heavyweight debut by effortlessly submitting Ciryl Gane – but is yet to defend it.

    Jones was scheduled to fight Stipe Miocic in November 2023 but the contest has been delayed by almost a year due to the kingpin’s shoulder injury. In the meantime, Tom Aspinall has won and defended the interim UFC heavyweight title against Sergei Pavlovich and Curtis Blaydes, respectively.

    Jones is well aware that many fans want him to fight Aspinall instead of Miocic as the latter’s last fight was in March 2021. The former UFC light heavyweight champion responded to these demands in a rather unique way recently…

    Jon Jones Posts Phone Number On X For Fans Demanding Tom Aspinall Fight

    Jones shared a phone number on X on August 6, 2024, with the following caption:

    “If you want me to fight Tom call and text me, I’ll respond for the next few days.”

    This is naturally a sly dig toward fans who’ve been complaining about Jones vs. Miocic. However, many followers of the UFC heavyweight champion are curious whether he has leaked his real number or doxxed someone else.

    Is Jon Jones’ Leaked Phone Number Real?

    No, Jones’ phone number posted on X isn’t real. A big giveaway is the location above the number stating Glenview, IL, which is hundreds of miles away from New Mexico, the champ’s residence.

    In a follow-up tweet, “Bones” acknowledged fans who took the number as a joke. He also asked his followers to continue calling even if the number is turned off, again implying that it’s not his own.

    Despite the tension in MMA circles, Dana White has been adamant about Jones vs. Miocic in November 2024. The UFC President believes that the veterans deserve to fight each other after such illustrious careers.

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

    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 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.

  • Chael Sonnen Praises Paddy Pimblett For Displaying ‘Jon Jones-esque’ Ability At UFC 304

    Chael Sonnen Praises Paddy Pimblett For Displaying ‘Jon Jones-esque’ Ability At UFC 304

    Former UFC title challenger Chael Sonnen saw some of his ex-rival Jon Jones in the performance of lightweight contender Paddy Pimblett this past weekend.

    Pimblett recorded the biggest win of his Octagon career at the UFC 304 pay-per-view, getting the better of King Green on the main card to secure a ranking for the very first time.

    “The Baddy” entered the Octagon in front of his home fans at Manchester’s Co-op Live as an underdog and with many backing Green to stall his charge following a close decision against Jared Gordon and failure to finish Tony Ferguson.

    But the Liverpool native needed just one round to prove them wrong, capitalizing on an ill-advised takedown to lock in a triangle choke and render Green unconscious.

    Among those majorly impressed by Pimblett’s efforts was Sonnen, who even compared his ability in the fight to an all-time great…

    Sonnen Praises Pimblett For Dealing With ‘Street Fighter’ Green

    During a video recently uploaded to his YouTube channel, Sonnen gave his take on Pimblett’s successful outing on home soil this past weekend.

    More so than the submission finish, “The American Gangster” was impressed by how “The Baddy” combatted a style and approach he won’t have faced in any previous fights or behind closed doors in training.

    The ability to do so, Sonnen says, is something Pimblett shares with the consensus greatest of all time, Jon Jones.

    “(Green) fights like a street fighter. He’s got his hands down; you don’t know what he’s gonna do. He’s talking to you! It’s like two guys outside a liquor store, truly,” Sonnen said. “You know what? Paddy was dealing with it. It’s hard to deal with ’cause you can’t prepare for it; you can’t prepare for it because your teammates don’t show up drunk talking trash with their hands down.

    “Paddy was dealing with it. That is a Jon Jones-esque ability. Jon Jones is the king of fighting fighters that all he has to prepare is video tape,” Sonnen continued. “He’s got some weird guy that’s some kind of a tool that he has to deal with, and Jon doesn’t bring in the partners and doesn’t have the experience, but he watched him on tape and he came up with a plan because he knows the sport well enough. That’s what Paddy just did.”

    Having caught the eyes of the likes of Sonnen with his latest triumph inside the Octagon, Pimblett will look to continue his development and habit of proving his detractors wrong next time out.

    By all accounts, the Liverpool native will be looking to stake his claim for a spot inside the top 10, having secured the #15 spot in the division as it stands. And given his post-fight callout at UFC 304, he’ll have a close eye on Renato Moicano and Benoît Saint Denis’ upcoming battle in Paris.

  • Former UFC Champion Explains How Retiring After Stipe Miocic Fight Would Affect Jon Jones’ Legacy: ‘Ducking Tom Aspinall!’

    Former UFC Champion Explains How Retiring After Stipe Miocic Fight Would Affect Jon Jones’ Legacy: ‘Ducking Tom Aspinall!’

    Jon Jones is expected to face Stipe Miocic before the end of 2024, with Dana White recently stating that the winner will step into the Octagon against Tom Aspinall to unify the UFC heavyweight championship.

    Jones has been out of action since winning the heavyweight title against Ciryl Gane in March 2023. Although Aspinall has won and defended the interim title, “Bones” is still the official champion and holds a solid #3 ranking in the pound-for-pound list.

    “Bones” has repeatedly talked about considering retirement after the Miocic fight as well. One former UFC champ, however, thinks this move could be detrimental to his legacy…

    Michael Bisping Claims Jon Jones Would Lose Fans If He Retires Without Fighting Tom Aspinall

    Michael Bisping recently discussed the future of the UFC heavyweight division on his official YouTube channel. The winner of Jones vs. Miocic is expected to face Aspinall next, and early odds favor the interim champ.

    “The Count” claimed that despite his GOAT status as a light heavyweight, Jones’ inactivity at heavyweight makes him an underdog against Aspinall. But the former UFC middleweight kingpin also highlighted that his opponent’s lack of fighting experience could benefit Jones, who boasts a record 15 UFC title wins.

    “He hasn’t got the in-ring time, he hasn’t got the experience, the fight IQ of a Jon Jones.”

    Bisping’s other concern is regarding Jones’ will to fight after the Miocic fight. The decision is largely dependent on his performance, and in the eyes of “The Count,” retiring without unifying the heavyweight title wouldn’t sit well with a lot of fans.

    Jones vs. Aspinall has been a highly anticipated fight for over a year now. While the Brit has been respectfully waiting for the opportunity, many think that “Bones” is avoiding the Aspinall fight due to the higher risk of losing.

    Bisping believes such narratives will only get stronger if the UFC heavyweight champion retires after his next scheduled fight.

    “It would suck. Not only would it suck, but it would also be not the best move for Jon Jones in terms of fan appreciation. The narrative would always be that he was ducking Tom Aspinall.”

  • Daniel Cormier Advises Tom Aspinall On How To Boost Chances Of Jon Jones Fight After UFC 304

    Daniel Cormier Advises Tom Aspinall On How To Boost Chances Of Jon Jones Fight After UFC 304

    Former two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier thinks Tom Aspinall should switch strategy if he really wants to tempt Jon Jones into a fight.

    Aspinall’s case for the next shot at Jones grew ever stronger in the co-main event of this past weekend’s UFC 304 pay-per-view, which went down inside the Co-op Live arena in Manchester, England.

    Close to home, Aspinall put his interim heavyweight title on the line in a rematch with Curtis Blaydes, pursuing both a successful first defense and redemption for the injury-forced TKO setback he fell to opposite “Razor” in 2022.

    It took the Brit just one minute to achieve those goals, dropping Blaydes with a stiff jab before reigning down ground-and-pound for the first-round stoppage.

    As expected, Aspinall had Jones’ name on his lips post-fight, remaining respectful with his latest callout of the heavyweight titleholder. One of Jones’ former opponents, however, thinks he needs to abandon his nice nature…

    Cormier: Aspinall Must ‘Get Louder’ & ‘Rile Up’ Jones

    During a video uploaded to his YouTube channel, Cormier gave his take on the events that unfolded at UFC 304 from cageside inside Manchester’s Co-op Live.

    “DC” touched on his Octagon interview with Aspinall following the co-headliner, claiming the Brit needs to change approach and begin ‘riling up’ Jones if he is to ensure a future dream showdown with the former two-time light heavyweight champ.

    “This guy seems to be the future and the present of the heavyweight division,” Cormier said. “You know, Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic are gonna fight each other, and deservedly so. … When they get to New York and they fight, Tom Aspinall needs to be in the building, if he’s smart.

    “I watched him finish, I watched the way the crowd reacted to him, and I watched his callout to Jon Jones. And in Tom Aspinall fashion, he was nice about it,” Cormier continued. “He needs to rile up Jones a little bit to get the people more invested. … I have seen the crowd get so behind a certain person that the organization will pivot. … Maybe they’ll pivot and make Aspinall vs. Jones right now. We don’t know…but Aspinall has to get a little bit louder.”

    Jones had a short and succinct response to Aspinall’s UFC 304 triumph and post-fight callout on social media. By all accounts, the Brit’s emphatic performance did little to convince “Bones” or the UFC to alter their plans for an expected November title fight.

  • Former UFC Champion Explains How Tom Aspinall’s Short Fight Time Could Be His ‘Worst Enemy’ Against Jon Jones

    Former UFC Champion Explains How Tom Aspinall’s Short Fight Time Could Be His ‘Worst Enemy’ Against Jon Jones

    Tom Aspinall came into UFC 304 this past weekend already holding the UFC record for the fastest average fight time for an athlete that has stepped foot in the Octagon several times.

    This streak doesn’t appear to be going anywhere despite his want and expectation for the rematch with Curtis Blaydes to go past the opening rounds.

    All it took was one clean shot from the interim heavyweight champion to send Blaydes off balance, where a barrage of follow-up strikes closed the show in just one minute.

    In nine total appearances since signing with the UFC, Aspinall is still yet to clock in a full 15-minute bout duration – even with all of his fights combined.

    He got this one done even quicker than his average fight time of less than two minutes but a former champion questioned whether this will come back to bite him at a later stage.

    Henry Cejudo Says Tom Aspinall’s Lack Of Cage Time Could Hurt Him Against Jon Jones

    Even before this fight, despite Blaydes being a very tough opponent for Aspinall, the fight that many want to see the Brit in is the title unification clash with Jon Jones.

    This is even more so the case after he avenged his one defeat in the UFC, which was caused by an injury, and made it look relatively simple.

    During the UFC 304 recap episode of the Pound 4 Pound podcast, Henry Cejudo made the case for why this incredibly small amount of fight time could be a disadvantage for Aspinall if he were to fight Jones.

    We’re still yet to see so many elements of his game which an experienced foe like Jones is surely going to want to try and test, if they do ever meet.

    “Last four fights bro! 3 minutes and 37 seconds, Jesus Christ. But, that can also be his worst enemy too because you know a guy like Jones, a guy like Jones is smart bro. A guy like Jones, we cannot doubt the dude. The dude could wrestle and the dude will probably make this dude fight that beast side. But I will say this man, Tom Aspinall’s agility and the fact he’s a counter puncher, like he really did counter that jab very well with that overhand bro. like his IQ on his feet is good but we also have to see him in those other areas.”

    Read also: Kamaru Usman Reacts To Belal Muhammad Dominating Leon Edwards At UFC 304: ‘Leon Doesn’t Necessarily Know How To Fight There…’

  • Jon Jones Gives First Reaction To Tom Aspinall’s 60-Second Knockout At UFC 304, Post-Fight Callout

    Jon Jones Gives First Reaction To Tom Aspinall’s 60-Second Knockout At UFC 304, Post-Fight Callout

    UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones didn’t have much to say after his interim counterpart emerged victorious in Manchester this past weekend.

    With the calls of him and many in the fanbase for a unification showdown with Jones falling on deaf ears, Tom Aspinall returned in the co-main event of UFC 304 to defend his interim title.

    In front of his home fans, the Brit ran it back with Curtis Blaydes, seeking redemption for the setback he fell to after his knee gave way just 15 seconds into their first fight two years ago.

    It didn’t take long for Aspinall to succeed in that goal, dropping “Razor” and pummeling him with ground-and-pound for the TKO stoppage in just 60 seconds at the Co-op Live.

    The dominant nature of his first interim title defense has only increased calls for the UFC and Jones to abandon plans for a Stipe Miocic fight upon his return from injury.

    Jones On UFC 304 Co-Main Event: ‘I Love It…’

    A day on from Aspinall’s latest quick night at the office inside the Octagon, Jones took to social media to give his first reaction to the performance and the Englishman’s post-fight callout.

    “Supply and demand at its finest, I love it,” Jones wrote.

    Pre-fight, Jones had been vocal in dismissing Aspinall’s confidence. The former two-time light heavyweight kingpin suggested that Blaydes was getting the better of the early exchanges in 2022 and could take the Brit down en route to a ground-and-pound stoppage at UFC 304.

    “Bones” didn’t directly address Aspinall proving that prediction wrong in emphatic fashion.

    Judging by his reaction and Dana White’s words at the UFC 304 post-fight press conference, the plan remains for Jones to face Miocic for the title in November. Miocic hasn’t competed since a knockout loss to Francis Ngannou in 2021.

  • Tom Aspinall Tells Jon Jones To Hand Over The Title If He Doesn’t Want To Fight Him After UFC 304 Win

    Tom Aspinall Tells Jon Jones To Hand Over The Title If He Doesn’t Want To Fight Him After UFC 304 Win

    Tom Aspinall felt that he was in the fight of his life when he stepped in the Octagon for his UFC 304 interim heavyweight championship co-main event against Curtis Blaydes.

    The Brit is two years removed from his devastating MCL tear the first time he faced “Razor” in England, and it was his first fight since winning the interim belt at New York’s Madison Square Garden last November.

    And despite a day that he described as the longest of his life, with nerves going throughout his body, Aspinall got the job done in just 60 seconds, finishing Blaydes to retain the championship.

    Though Aspinall told Megan Olivi of ESPN MMA that it felt like a homecoming redemption moment after all he’s been through, he made sure to give a ton of respect to Blaydes.

    “Curtis is a great wrestler, but he’s also got great hands. He’s a great MMA fighter,” Aspinall said. “The guy’s been in the top five since before I was in the UFC. He’s a veteran. There is a lot of emphasis on his wrestling because not a lot of guys in the heavyweight division can wrestle well, but he’s an MMA fighter, so I was expecting everything.

    “I’ve got a lot of respect for Curtis, and I want to get in and out as quick as possible without anyone getting hurt. That’s my plan. I hope Curtis is OK.”

    ‘You Can’t Leave Me Out’ – Tom Aspinall Awaits Jon Jones Or Stipe Miocic To Unify Heavyweight Championship

    Following the win, Aspinall had a callout of UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones — a fight that many have been clamoring to see over Jones vs. Stipe Miocic. The interim champ commented about having a conversation with UFC CEO Dana White, implying the chance that plans could change.

    White, however, stated at the UFC 304 post-fight press conference that the plan is still to go with Jones vs. Miocic. However, he appeared to insinuate that Aspinall will be assigned as the backup fighter in case Jones vs. Miocic falls through again.

    Aspinall told Olivi that the plan is to fight the winner of Jones vs. Miocic, but he urged “Bones” to hand the belt over if he doesn’t want the fight.

    “I’ll wait…that’s one worth waiting for,” Aspinall said. “If Jon Jones doesn’t want to do it, OK. Just hand me over the title. I’ll take it, no problem. But that’s the fight I want. It’s the right fight to do. I understand that’s a huge fight for the UFC and the company — Stipe vs. Jon Jones. But, c’mon, you can’t leave me out.”

    Jones vs. Miocic was scheduled to headline UFC 295 last November before Jones tore his pec, which led to the fight where Aspinall defeated Sergei Pavlovich to become interim champion.

    Jones defeated Ciryl Gane to win the then-vacant heavyweight title at UFC 285 following Francis Ngannou’s departure from the promotion. Miocic, meanwhile, has not fought since dropping the heavyweight title to Ngannou at UFC 260.

    Rumors, reports, and even Jones himself have stated the plan is for Jones vs. Miocic to headline a Madison Square Garden PPV card in November. Those event plans, however, have not been confirmed by the UFC and have been left murky with a concert series taking place at the venue during UFC 309’s original target date of November 9.

  • ‘No Reason Why Anyone Should Consider Jones The Champ’ – MMA Fighters & Fans React After Tom Aspinall Notches Up Another Impressive First-Round Finish At UFC 304

    ‘No Reason Why Anyone Should Consider Jones The Champ’ – MMA Fighters & Fans React After Tom Aspinall Notches Up Another Impressive First-Round Finish At UFC 304

    Tom Aspinall successfully defended his UFC interim heavyweight title in the co-main event of UFC 304 by stopping Curtis Blaydes in the first round.

    As fans have come to expect from the Brit, he closed the show early on after dropping Blaydes and getting the TKO finish in the opening minute.

    The challenger was able to have some success early on with his strikes but Aspinall only needed to pull off one well-timed entry to find the shot he was looking for.

    Aspinall, and the UFC commentary team, called for the title unification fight with Jon Jones who is expected to return later this year against Stipe Miocic.

    MMA World Reacts To Tom Aspinall’s Successful Homecoming In Manchester

    MMA fighters and fans reacted on social media as Aspinall finished yet another opponent without needing to go to a second round.

    Many, as expected, want to see him stand across the cage from “Bones” as was the case before this fight.

    https://twitter.com/TheAnswerMMA/status/1817412935192596831
    https://twitter.com/afeldMMA/status/1817413852163715177
    https://twitter.com/MerabDvalishvil/status/1817414086600372575

    Read also: UFC 304: Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad 2 Live Results & Highlights

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

    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 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.

  • Tom Aspinall Speculates About Jon Jones’ Next Opponent After Stipe Miocic: ‘That’s Way More Likely That Jones Fighting Me’

    Tom Aspinall Speculates About Jon Jones’ Next Opponent After Stipe Miocic: ‘That’s Way More Likely That Jones Fighting Me’

    Tom Aspinall has made it perfectly clear that whilst fighting Jon Jones is still something he would love to do in his career, he doesn’t think it will happen.

    The UFC heavyweight champion has been teasing that he will make his return from injury later this year, where he will defend his title against Stipe Miocic.

    When the fight was removed from UFC 295 last year due to Jones’ injury, Tom Aspinall and Sergei Pavlovich stepped into the co-main event on short notice where the Brit became the interim champion.

    He’s now set to defend that title this weekend at UFC 304 in a rematch with Curtis Blaydes, in a fight that many are considering to be for the real undisputed world championship.

    Aspinall believes that even if both he and Jones are victorious in their next fights, there’s more chance of “Bones” taking another route instead.

    Tom Aspinall Says Alex Pereira Has A Better Chance Of Fighting Jon Jones Than He Does

    Jones has made it perfectly clear during his absence that fighting Aspinall isn’t something that he sees as adding anything to his legacy, which is already assured in the sport.

    “Bones” has however, floated the idea of a potential fight against the light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira, which would be a massive contest.

    During UFC 304 fight week, Aspinall spoke in an interview with Michael Bisping where he said that in his opinion, there’s more chance of that fight happening than him unifying the titles against Jones.

    “Yeah, he might do. That’s way more likely than Jon Jones fighting me. Way more likely.”

    Aspinall added that he doesn’t believe it’s an issue of Jones not wanting to fight him specifically, as he can understand why that fight isn’t the best option for the champion right now.

    “Well, he’s going to get more money fighting Alex Pereira than he is me first of all and it’s an easier match-up. I’m not saying he doesn’t want to fight me, I’m saying that there’s more favorable match-ups. If the shoe was on the other foot, I would do the same.”

    Read also: Former UFC Heavyweight Champion Names Who Has The Best Chance To Beat Jon Jones Out Of Stipe Miocic, Tom Aspinall, & Alex Pereira

  • Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic Date Speculated: When Could The UFC Heavyweight Champion Return?

    Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic Date Speculated: When Could The UFC Heavyweight Champion Return?

    Jon Jones grabbed the UFC heavyweight title by beating Ciryl Gane in March 2023. His first defense will be against Stipe Miocic and then, the winner will fight the winner of Tom Aspinall vs. Curtis Blaydes.

    The fight with Miocic was originally scheduled for November 11, 2023. However, a shoulder injury forced the champ to pull out and stay out of action for over six months. He’s fit and back at the gym now but a new date for the bout is yet to be announced.

    Here’s when fans can expect Jones to finally fight Miocic and proceed to unify the UFC heavyweight championship…

    When Will Jon Jones Fight Stipe Miocic?

    Although official confirmation from the UFC is pending, Jones will most likely fight Miocic on November 9, 2024, at UFC 309 in Madison Square Garden, New York. The date has been teased by the champion himself through a post on Instagram with this caption:

    “The red corner, my office. #Nov9th.”

    The official UFC schedule is only updated till UFC 308 which takes place on October 26. So, it won’t be a stretch to assume that November 9 is the planned date for UFC 309 and the main event will feature “Bones” and the former UFC heavyweight kingpin.

    Will Jon Jones Retire From The UFC After Fighting Stipe Miocic?

    Jones has repeatedly discussed retiring from the UFC. He initially seemed certain about hanging up the gloves after the Miocic fight. However, in recent tweets, he’s claimed to make the decision based on his performance and the available options at the time.

    Dana White has confirmed that the winner of Aspinall vs. Blaydes will fight the winner of Jones vs. Miiocic. These plans could undeniably change if Alex Pereira moves up for a super fight in the UFC heavyweight division.

    READ MORE: King Green Explains His Issues With UFC 304 Opponent Paddy Pimblett: ‘Ariel Doesn’t Even Pay Conor, Why Would He Pay You?!’ 

  • Matt Hamill Reacts To 12-6 Elbow Rule Change: ‘Dana White, I Know You’re Desperate To Get Jon Jones An Undefeated Record…’

    Matt Hamill Reacts To 12-6 Elbow Rule Change: ‘Dana White, I Know You’re Desperate To Get Jon Jones An Undefeated Record…’

    Former UFC light heavyweight Matt Hamill has addressed the recent rule change regarding “12-6” elbows, a move that led to his victory over Jon Jones.

    Officially, Hamill is the sole man to defeat Jones across the current UFC heavyweight champion’s illustrious and record-breaking 29-fight professional career in mixed martial arts.

    The manner of victory, however, has long been a cause of debate, with “Bones” being disqualified by referee Steve Mazzagatti after being deemed to have thrown an illegal “12-6” elbow.

    Jon Jones

    The move is banned downward elbow that some perceived to be more dangerous than an angled strike. But that belief has frequently been called into question, leading to a vote on the removal of the ban at the annual conference held by the Association of Boxing Commissions and Combative Sports (ABC).

    The vote went down on Tuesday in Louisville, Kentucky, with the committee unanimously voting in favor of removing the prohibition on “12-6” elbows from November 1 onwards.

    Jones was quick to react to the news, once again calling for help from UFC CEO Dana White in getting his 2009 loss overturned.

    The man victorious on that night, however, has something to say about that…

    47-Year-Old Hamill Offers Jones Rematch In Light Of 12-6 Elbow Ban Being Lifted

    A few years on from his win over Jones, Matt Hamill washed out of the UFC off the back of a 1-3 run that included a knockout loss to Alexander Gustafsson and decision defeat to Thiago Silva.

    He subsequently lost his first three fights outside of the Octagon before bouncing back with a pair of regional triumphs in 2017 and 2018.

    “The Hammer” hasn’t competed since, but judging by a recent Instagram post reacting to the new change coming regarding “12-6” elbows, he’d be down to revisit his matchup with Jones…

    “Let’s cut this chase… @danawhite – I know you’re desperate to get @jonnybones an undefeated record,” Hamill wrote. “I see how you want to profit from that! Is also why you bail him out of all the other things… How about a rematch?! I’ll be happy to fight him for a heavyweight title. If I beat him, I want a UFC belt. Let me know if Stipe Miocic backs out. I’ll take short notice, just remember he already lost to me!”

    At Thursday’s UFC 304 press conference, White insisted that whoever emerges from Saturday’s event as the interim heavyweight champ will face the winner of Jones vs. Miocic down the line.

    Suffice to say, Tom Aspinall and Curtis Blaydes likely won’t be too worried about having to compete with Hamill for that spot…

  • MMA News Today: Teammate Feels Belal Muhammad Will ‘Surprise’ Leon Edwards On The Feet At UFC 304, Video Emerges Of Paddy Pimblett Struggling To Handle Tony Ferguson’s Straight Punches, & More

    MMA News Today: Teammate Feels Belal Muhammad Will ‘Surprise’ Leon Edwards On The Feet At UFC 304, Video Emerges Of Paddy Pimblett Struggling To Handle Tony Ferguson’s Straight Punches, & More

    Welcome to MMA News Today, a daily feature running down the most interesting stories in the world of mixed martial arts. For July 25, 2024, we’re taking a look at:

    • Gordon believes Muhammad can catch Edwards off guard
    • Video shows Ferguson’s boxing success against Pimblett
    • Former Jones rival backs Aspinall to beat him

    Jared Gordon Says Belal Muhammad Can Surprise Leon Edwards On The Feet

    Belal Muhammad comes into his first UFC title fight with tons of confidence that he is the best welterweight in the world.

    His winning streak has been very impressive but in the champion Leon Edwards, he faces a very tough test at UFC 304 this weekend.

    It doesn’t take an expert analyst to break down why the challenger’s wrestling will be crucial in this fight if he is able to take Edwards’ striking game away from him.

    During a fight week interview with InsideFighting, his teammate Jared Gordon broke down how he sees the fight playing out.

    Whilst he expects Muhammad to really come into his own in the second half of the fight, he also predicted that he might be able to catch “Rocky” off guard when it comes to the stand-up battle.

    “I see Belal surprising him on the feet and I think his pressure and the later rounds is what’s going to separate them and Belal always does better in the later rounds where Leon tends to fade, you know. So I think Belal’s going to have to get through that first round, second round, and then he’s going to cook him.”

    Social Media Video Shows Tony Ferguson Repeatedly Landing Straight Punches Against Paddy Pimblett

    Paddy Pimblett will face the toughest test of his UFC run to date this weekend when he takes on King Green in Manchester.

    Whilst “The Baddy” has had a lot of success inside the Octagon, his striking defense has been called into question a few times.

    This is something he’s been working on extensively in recent times and against the boxing skills of Green, it’s sure to be a major factor at UFC 304.

    A recent highlights compilation posted on X showed how Tony Ferguson was able to have success against Pimblett at UFC 296 by utilizing his straight punches.

    “El Cucuy” didn’t deal a whole lot of damage in the fight but he was able to consistently land these shots.

    With Green being known for his speed and combinations, not taking too many jabs or straights may have been a significant part of the Brit’s training camp for this next outing.

    Alexander Gustafsson Says He Can See Tom Aspinall Beating Jon Jones If They Ever Fight

    There aren’t many fighters that know Jon Jones better than his former light heavyweight rival, Alexander Gustaffson.

    “The Mauler” fought tooth and nail with “Bones” 11 years ago in one of the best title fights we’ve ever seen and met him for a second time in a rematch.

    Despite interim champion Tom Aspinall returning to defend his title this weekend against Curtis Blaydes, the match-up that many have been speaking about is the Brit taking on Jones at some stage.

    Gustaffson spoke in a recent interview with Crypto Sports Betting (h/t FightBook MMA) where he said that if the fight happens, he believes England’s Aspinall has what it takes to be the first man to beat the consensus greatest of all time.

    “Yes, I think Tom will be too much for Jon. He has all the weapons to beat Jon. Jon hasn’t been that active, but he’s still the GOAT. You can never count this guy out, he’s so freaking good at what he does. He’s handled every opponent and everybody knows how good he is, but Aspinall right now, I see him as very dangerous for Jon,” Gustafsson continued. “He’s dangerous on his feet, he’s fast, he has great footwork, and he’s a smart fighter. He has the tools to do good against Jon and even beat him. If they will fight, now is the time for Aspinall. He could go down as one of the best heavyweights ever.”

    Read more on the story here.

    For more MMA news, check out:

  • Former Opponent Of Jon Jones’ Believes Tom Aspinall Would Be ‘Too Much’ For Him: ‘He Has All The Weapons To Beat Jon’

    Former Opponent Of Jon Jones’ Believes Tom Aspinall Would Be ‘Too Much’ For Him: ‘He Has All The Weapons To Beat Jon’

    A notable ex-rival of Jon Jones’ believes the UFC heavyweight champion’s interim counterpart “has all the weapons” to get the job done.

    Tom Aspinall was crowned interim champ at UFC 295 last November after being placed in a short-notice matchup with Sergei Pavlovich. That bout came together after an injury to Jon Jones forced his planned defense opposite Stipe Miocic off the card.

    With the presence of another titleholder, many suggested the promotion would look to book a logical unification showdown upon Jones’ return. But both the Rochester native and the UFC have remained firm on plans to reschedule the Miocic fight.

    After months of backlash from both Aspinall and the fanbase, the Brit will instead defend his interim strap at this weekend’s UFC 304 pay-per-view, where a rematch with Curtis Blaydes awaits him in the co-main event.

    Should he put in an emphatic performance on Saturday night, the likes of Daniel Cormier have theorized that pressure on the UFC to abandon plans for Jones vs. Miocic will only increase.

    And if that potential “fan uprising” results in Jones vs. Aspinall for undisputed status, one fighter familiar to the former two-time light heavyweight kingpin thinks a loss could be on the cards for him…

    Gustafsson Backs Aspinall To Get The Better Of Jones

    During an interview with Top Offshore Casinos, Alexander Gustafsson spoke on Aspinall’s rise toward the top at heavyweight and assessed how he would fare against the throne’s current occupier.

    The Swedish standout is well-versed in the game of Jones, having shared the cage with him twice, narrowly losing out to him in their Fight of the Year clash 11 years ago.

    While he was ultimately unable to have his hand raised at the expense of “Bones” at 205 pounds, “The Mauler” believes Aspinall would have a great shot of doing so up in Jones’ new weight class.

    “Aspinall is on fire right now and he is a very, very good heavyweight. I don’t see anyone beating Aspinall right now,” Gustafsson said. “I understand why Tom wants to fight Jon, it’s because Jon is the GOAT, he is the biggest UFC star right now. If Tom was to beat Jon, it would be bigger than winning any UFC belt. The biggest achievement in the UFC right now is to beat Jon Jones. I understand why Aspinall is chasing the fight. I think he is ready for Jon. He’s on fire right now. If he fights Jon Jones, it should be now. 

    “Yes, I think Tom will be too much for Jon. He has all the weapons to beat Jon. Jon hasn’t been that active, but he’s still the GOAT. You can never count this guy out, he’s so freaking good at what he does. He’s handled every opponent and everybody knows how good he is, but Aspinall right now, I see him as very dangerous for Jon,” Gustafsson continued. “He’s dangerous on his feet, he’s fast, he has great footwork, and he’s a smart fighter. He has the tools to do good against Jon and even beat him. If they will fight, now is the time for Aspinall. He could go down as one of the best heavyweights ever.”

    Jones claims to see things very differently, however.

    While some have suggested that his avoidance of Aspinall serves as an acknowledgement of the Brit’s threat, the UFC heavyweight champ has instead claimed that the decision comes down to drawing power and relevancy, something he states the interim titleholder lacks outside of the UK.

    And in terms of Aspinall’s claim to being heavyweight’s best right now, Jones suggested in the lead-up to UFC 304 that he wouldn’t be surprised to see Blaydes finish him in Saturday’s co-headliner.

  • Why Did Jon Jones Get Disqualified? Only UFC Loss To Matt Hamill Explained

    Why Did Jon Jones Get Disqualified? Only UFC Loss To Matt Hamill Explained

    As Dana White has made abundantly clear, Jon Jones is the best mixed martial artist of all time. He won six out of seven fights after making his UFC debut in 2008 to earn a title shot. The prospect then grabbed the UFC light heavyweight title from Mauricio Rua to become the youngest champion in the promotion’s history.

    Since then, Jones has fought in 15 consecutive title fights and his upcoming bout against Stipe Miocic is likely to be for the undisputed UFC heavyweight championship.

    The only loss on the UFC heavyweight kingpin’s almost-perfect record came in December 2009 against Matt Hamill, via disqualification. Here’s why Jones got disqualified and whether he can update his record as per the latest rules…

    Why Did Jon Jones Get DQ?

    Jon Jones was disqualified against Hamill for throwing consecutive 12-6 elbows at The Ultimate Fighter 10 Finale. 12-6 elbows are illegal according to the Unified Rules of MMA and accordingly, in the UFC.

    “Bones” was dominating the fight from the get-go, piecing up Hamill with kicks from a distance. He then took the latter down, got top position, and unleashed a flurry of elbows to break his guard.

    While most of Jones’ strikes were perfectly legal and the fight was about to be stopped anyway, he threw a couple of 12-6 elbows. Steve Mazzagatti quickly jumped in to stop the fight and disqualified the rising contender.

    Are 12-6 Elbows Illegal In MMA?

    12-6 elbow strikes, also called downward elbow strikes, used to be illegal under the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts. They can be described as an elbow landed on a grounded opponent imitating the movement of throwing an elbow between 12 to 6 on a wall clock. Due to concerns related to fighter safety, the move was banned until July 2024.

    The Association of Boxing Commissions and Combative Sports voted to lift the ban on 12-6 elbows in July 2024 but the ruling will be effective from November 1, 2024. All state athletic commissions will have to approve these changes in rules separately as well.

    Jon Jones Reacts To 12-6 Elbows Rule Change In The UFC

    Soon after the ABC announced their decision to make 12-6 Elbows legal, Jones took to social media to claim his undefeated record. The UFC veteran even tagged the UFC President to help him overturn his loss.

    “Undefeated then, undefeated now, @danawhite we gotta get that loss out of the history books.” said Jones via Instagram.

    This is not the first time Jones has protested his loss to Matt Hamill. With state athletic commissions yet to approve the change in rules, it is hard to predict whether he will end up having a perfect pro record.

    Read More: Curtis Blaydes Suggests Jon Jones Likely Turned Down ‘Harder Fight’ Against Him For Heavyweight Debut: ‘Smart Decision…’ 

  • Jon Jones Reacts After ABC Officially Approves Removal Of Ban On 12-6 Elbows

    Jon Jones Reacts After ABC Officially Approves Removal Of Ban On 12-6 Elbows

    Some big changes are coming to the Unified Rules of MMA later this year.

    The Association of Boxing Commissions and Combative Sports (ABC) is holding its annual conference in Louisville, Kentucky, this week. The latest rule vote took place on Tuesday, and it saw a couple of long-awaited changes approved.

    The first surrounds the ban on fighters throwing “12-6” elbows. The linear downward elbow is notably responsible for the sole defeat on the record of light heavyweight legend and reigning UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones.

    Debate has long raged on over the prohibition on the move, with the direction of the elbows perceived to be more dangerous than a conventional, angled strike by some. But after many in the community argued against that claim, committee members unanimously voted on the ban’s removal this week.

    Jones, who was handed a disqualification defeated against Matt Hamill back in 2009, reacted to the news on Instagram. Alongside an image of his bout with Hamill, “Bones” tagged Dana White and reiterated his desire to get the blemish scrubbed from his record.

    “Undefeated then, undefeated now,” Jones wrote. “@danawhite we gotta get that loss out of the history books.”

    While Ariel Helwani has reported that Jones will be able to retroactively appeal the defeat, it would appear unlikely for the result to be overturned given that the ban was in place at the time.

    Changes To Definition Of A Grounded Fighter Also Approved By ABC

    Removing the ban on “12-6” elbows wasn’t the only successful rule change at this year’s ABC conference. The committee also looked to rectify the confusion and disagreement regarding what constitutes a grounded fighter.

    The topic notable reared its head this year when Arnold Allen fired off knees to the head of Movsar Evloev at UFC 297 this past January. The blows were deemed illegal owing to the Russian placing one hand on the ground.

    Many suggested that the Englishman was unfairly robbed of a potential finish, and from November 1 onwards, he’ll now be able to utilize that offense.

    Previously, the language in the rulebook stated that any part of the body other than the sole of the feet touching the floor would make a fighter grounded. The new language approved this week is as follows:

    “A fighter shall be considered grounded and may not be legally kneed or kicked to the head when any part of their body other than their hands or feet is in contact with the canvas (ground).”

    Both the new definition for a grounded fighter and the removal of the ban on “12’6” elbows officially come into place on November 1, 2024.

  • Curtis Blaydes Suggests Jon Jones Likely Turned Down ‘Harder Fight’ Against Him For Heavyweight Debut: ‘Smart Decision…’ 

    Curtis Blaydes Suggests Jon Jones Likely Turned Down ‘Harder Fight’ Against Him For Heavyweight Debut: ‘Smart Decision…’ 

    UFC heavyweight contender Curtis Blaydes wasn’t surprised to see Ciryl Gane get the call for Jon Jones’ heavyweight debut last year.

    Having spent three years away from the Octagon following his final defense of the light heavyweight title in 2020, Jones successfully arrived in a new weight class at UFC 285 in March 2023.

    The all-time MMA great achieved his two-division ambitions by submitting former interim champion Ciryl Gane in the first round of their clash for the then-vacant heavyweight title.

    Many questioned the decision to place “Bon Gamin” opposite Jones given that he boasted a sole win over Tai Tuivasa since falling short against Francis Ngannou in early 2022. Blaydes was among those branded a logical candidate by a portion of the community, with “Razor” coming off three straight wins.

    But the American didn’t get the opportunity, and he believes Jones’ desire for a more comfortable heavyweight debut played a part in that…

    Blaydes: A Lot Of Heavyweights ‘Would Have Been Harder’ For Jones Than Gane

    During an interview with ESPN MMA’s Andreas Hale, Blaydes looked back on his path to the title shot that awaits him at UFC 304 in Manchester, England, this Saturday night, including the snub he received for the vacant championship bout that followed Ngannou’s exit.

    “Razor” insisted that the decision to go a different route for Jones’ first foray into the weight class was not a shock, both down to the marketing edge for French star Gane and the increased difficulty he has no doubt the light heavyweight legend would have had against him at UFC 285.

    “I wasn’t surprised (that UFC booked Gane vs. Jones). I’ve been with the UFC for eight years now. Like, I get it,” Blaydes said. “Marketing. He’s French, which means he brings in all the fans over there. He has an aesthetically pleasing style. A lot of people don’t like wrestling, so I get that. He does all the fancy karate stance and all that. It’s easy to market his highlights versus the highlights that I have.

    “Also, i think they asked Jon and were probably like, ‘Jon, do you wanna go against this guy who doesn’t know how to wrestle? Or this guy, who knows how to wrestle?’ I think he did the business, smart decision,” Blaydes continued. “I am a harder fight for him than Gane; I think a lot of guys are a harder fight for him than Gane.”

    With the chance to win the interim belt this weekend, the state of the division would suggest that a Jones fight would be back on the cards for Blaydes given the Rochester native’s status as the other heavyweight titleholder.

    But with both Jones and the UFC remaining firm on him facing the returning Stipe Miocic instead of unifying the titles, as well as “Razor’s” belief that the champ will likely retire soon after, the UFC 304 co-main event challenger doesn’t see any chance of that coming to fruition.

    And that’s despite Jones seemingly expecting Blaydes to occupy the throne adjacent to him soon enough.