Latest news with #HeavyweightChampionship
News18
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
WWE SmackDown Results: Cody Rhodes Steals John Cena's Belt, JC Mateo Debuts With Win
Last Updated: John Cena and Logan Paul took the spotlight on the latest edition of WWE Smackdown. But this time the duo were attacked by the former tag-team champions, Jey Uso and Cody Rhodes. The latest episode of WWE SmackDown, aired on May 30, opened with Bianca Blair making a return to the ring with a splint on her broken finger. She was confronted by her former best friend, Naomi. Jade Cargil showed up and attacked Naomi and threw her out of the ring. Jade Cargil came forward and challenged both Jax and Naomi in the first match of the night. Later on the show, 21-year-old JC Mateo, backed by Solo Sikoa's Bloodline, made his WWE debut against R-Truth. Jacob Fatu was also part of the episode, appearing in a Money in the Bank qualifier match against Andrade and Carmelo Hayes. A tag-team dispute unfolded backstage, with The Street Profits showing off their title. They were interrupted by Faxiom, who claimed that their title match was troubled by the Wyatt Sicks. Motor City Machine Gun and DIY also engaged in trash talk when Wyatt Sicks came out amid darkness. Uncle Howdy went hard on the other tag teams and took down all of them one by one. Los Garza clashed against the pair of Rey Fenix and Je'Von Evans, while Zelina Vega and Alba Fyre went head-to-head in a singles match. After the MIB Qualifier match, Cody Rhodes entered the ring, and the crowd started mocking John Cena. Rhodes vowed to reclaim the WWE title, beating Cena, before introducing his new tag-team partner, Jey Uso. Logan Paul joined Cena in the ring and accused Jey of cheating in their last Heavyweight Championship match. A sudden brawl broke out, as Rhodes and Jey attacked Paul and Cena, showcasing some big moves. At the end of the episode, Rhodes stole Cena's belt and flaunted it in front of fans, while Jey also lifted his title with pride. Los Garza vs Rey Fenix & Je'Von Evans: Los Garza made the most out of a distraction and shelled out their finisher to win the tag-team bout. Zelina Vega vs Alba Fyre: Vega comfortably sealed the deal, hitting Fyre with the Code Red. Money In The Bank Qualifier: Fatu was baffled by the intervention of Sikoa and Mateo, which helped Andrade knock down Carmelo Hayes with the message to earn the MIB spot. First Published:
The Independent
5 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Petition to strip UFC champion of title reaches 140k signatures
Jon Jones, the regular UFC heavyweight champion, is facing increasing pressure to fight interim titleholder Tom Aspinall. A petition calling for Jones to be stripped of his undisputed title has reached almost 140,000 signatures. Aspinall has expressed frustration over the delay and uncertainty surrounding a potential fight with Jones, saying it is impacting him mentally as he awaits a decision. UFC chief executive Dana White is under pressure to make a definitive decision regarding Jones's heavyweight title, but negotiations are dragging on. The UFC has announced main events through September without a Jones-Aspinall fight on the cards.
The Independent
19-05-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Jon Jones accuses UFC of withholding Tom Aspinall information from fans
Jon Jones has accused the UFC of failing to 'share' his plans with fans, as they continue to mock him over his apparent decision not to fight Tom Aspinall. In November 2023, Aspinall won the interim heavyweight title after Jones sustained an injury and could not defend the regular belt against Stipe Miocic. Twelve months later, Jones returned and retained his title against the heavyweight great, but only after Aspinall retained the interim version in July. Despite the champions naturally being lined up for a unification bout, 37-year-old Jones has said he is not keen on facing the Briton, 32. As a result, the fighters and belts have been left in limbo, although UFC president Dana White promised this month that he would announce the match-up soon. One X/Twitter user wrote to Jones on Sunday (18 May), 'enjoying your last days as champ before being stripped [of your title] i see eh jon?', to which the American replied: 'Stripped? Lol do I come across as the type of person who cares about things like that ?' Another user replied: 'Yes otherwise you'd have vacated the belt a long time ago because you don't plan to fight Tom.' Jones then hit back again, writing: 'Yall barkin up the wrong tree, I told the Ufc my plans a long time ago. I have no clue why they haven't shared them with you guys yet.' When one fan asked, 'What exactly are your plans?', Jones responded: 'To continue to monetize on this amazing brand that I've created.' Another pressed, 'So are you fighting again or not? You are the current champion of the division,' with Jones replying: 'Not a bad idea.' The former two-time light-heavyweight champion also fired back at a fan who urged Jones to 'shut the f*** up and fight', writing: 'This, this attitude, right here is making me a very wealthy man. This desperation is incredibly lucrative, so thank you. Keep it coming.' With the UFC having announced main events for its pay-per-views in June, July and August, as well as a Mexican-centric event in September, Jones vs Aspinall is unlikely to happen before October. While some fans view Jones as the greatest mixed martial artist of all time, his career has been marred by numerous failed drug tests and run-ins with the law. Still, the American is effectively unbeaten, with his sole loss having come via DQ in 2009. Meanwhile, Aspinall is 15-3 in MMA and 8-1 in the UFC. In the promotion, his only defeat occurred due to injury, while all of his career finishes have come via stoppage. In the UFC, Aspinall holds the record for the shortest fight time of an athlete with five or more bouts; all of his wins in the promotion have come in the first two rounds – seven in round one, two in the first minute. Aspinall's decision to defend the interim belt was a rarity in the UFC, as the Wigan heavyweight aimed to stay active during Jones's absence. In that fight, Aspinall stopped Curtis Blaydes in 60 seconds, avenging his injury-induced loss to the American in 2022.
