Latest news with #TomAspinall
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Coach Javier Mendez not buying claims that Jon Jones was scared to fight Tom Aspinall
Many have accused Jon Jones of ducking and avoiding a fight with Tom Aspinall – something veteran coach Javier Mendez finds hard to believe. Jones, arguably the greatest MMA fighter of all time, vacated his UFC heavyweight title and retired from the sport last month. Although shortly after, he claimed he'll fight in July 2026 at a proposed UFC event at the White House – after months of being non-committal to unify the UFC heavyweight title with then-interim champion Tom Aspinall. Many fans were disappointed by Jones and criticized him for holding up the heavyweight division for two years, without fighting the rightful challenger, Aspinall. Mendez, coach of Islam Makahchev and other notable names, is adamant that the end of this saga was due to circumstance and not that Jones was ducking Aspinall. "A lot of things are made in between negotiations, and you never know what's real and what's not real," Mendez told MMA Junkie. "One thing I do know in my heart in all the years I've been training fighters: Fighters are not afraid of anyone. So when people say, 'Oh, he doesn't want to fight.' OK, then why are you here then? Fighters are fighters. The circumstances may prevent them from taking a fight because maybe there's not the right amount of money, maybe is not this, but it's not the opponent. The timing, money, something that's involved, but it's never I'm afraid of that fighter. Never. I will refuse to believe that any real fighter will always avoid something. I don't think so. I don't believe that." Makahchev, Mendez's pupil, will attempt what Jones and other few names have done in moving up in weight to claim a second UFC title. He's expected to take on UFC welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena in his next outing. But unlike many of the two-division UFC champions of the past, Makhachev attempts to win the welterweight title after vacating the belt at 155 pounds. He will not get the chance to simultaneously be a two-division UFC champion. Mendez does think that Jones' heavyweight reign pushed the UFC to force fighters to vacate their belts before challenging for a second one at a different weight. "I think they don't want that anymore because it holds up the divisions," Mendez said. It stalls them out. I think a great example was the Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall situation. Can you imagine if Jon Jones held two titles and then two divisions are held up for one reason or another." This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Javier Mendez not buying Jon Jones was scared to fight Tom Aspinall
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
How long will Tom Aspinall reign? Plus, UFC Abu Dhabi, Hulk Hogan, Ali Act The Craic
Petesy Carroll is joined by Chuck Mindenhall for a loaded episode of The Craic. The lads kick off with a check in on the UFC Abu Dhabi weigh-ins, before discussing the recent death of Hulk Hogan and his lasting legacy. Then, they preview the beginning of Tom Aspinall's title reign and touch on the crop of potential challengers to the throne. Finally, they break down proposed amendments to the Ali Act, before closing the show by previewing UFC Abu Dhabi.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Tom Aspinall Shares Key Update on His Heavyweight Title Defense
Tom Aspinall Shares Key Update on His Heavyweight Title Defense originally appeared on Athlon Sports. After 359 days out, the UFC heavyweight champ finally gives a clear update on what's next. It has been 359 days and counting since Tom Aspinall last stepped inside the UFC Octagon. The heavyweight champion's most recent appearance came at UFC 304 in July 2024, where he delivered a statement performance by avenging his only UFC loss to Curtis Blaydes with a first-round knockout. Now, as the wait stretches close to a year, the champ is finally hinting that big things are ahead. In a recent sit-down interview with UFC on Eurosport, Aspinall provided an update on his highly anticipated return. When asked if his next fight is officially locked in, the champion didn't hesitate: 'Yes it is. As far as signed, I can't remember the last time I've physically signed a contract. They just ask me and I say yes—usually I sign the contract on fight week.' That candid response signals something concrete is coming soon, and fans have every reason to keep their eyes on the heavyweight scene. This next move isn't just important for Aspinall; it's crucial for the UFC. The heavyweight division has been stuck in limbo following Jon Jones' long absence and his back-and-forth over whether to defend the title or walk away for good. Now, with Aspinall committed to staying active, momentum could finally return to a weight class that's been begging for clarity. The champion has vowed to defend his belt often and 'clean out the division.' If that promise holds true, the heavyweight landscape is about to heat up in a big way—and soon. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 21, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jon Jones Sends a Bold Message That Could Shake Up the Heavyweight Division
Jon Jones Sends a Bold Message That Could Shake Up the Heavyweight Division originally appeared on Athlon Sports. UFC's former champion hints at a return, teasing a historic stage for a potential showdown. Jon Jones' retirement seemed final when the UFC moved forward, officially elevating Tom Aspinall to undisputed heavyweight champion. But a recent interview suggests the former king isn't done just yet. While the division adjusted to life without him, Jones dropped hints that he still has some big plans—plans that could involve one of the most historic backdrops in combat sports history. In a recent string of interviews, Jones has sounded more energized than he has in years. His comments came on the heels of former President Donald Trump's announcement, later confirmed by Dana White, that the White House will host a UFC fight card in 2026. At the ESPYS, in a clip captured by Championship Rounds, Jones said:'I was retired. I felt like I've done it all in the MMA space. I just wanted to do more than championships and money. Donald Trump mentioned that he wanted to host a fight at the White House garden. That just seems like a huge opportunity. I'm a very proud American. To be able to entertain the country and the world at this level at the White House means the world to me.' In another clip shared by Championship Rounds, Jones doubled down, saying he's willing to face whoever holds the heavyweight belt by year's end. 'As of right now the champion is Tom Aspinall, but we'll see who's the champion at the end of the year.' With the White House event targeted for July 4, 2026, speculation swirls—will Jones fight sooner or hold out for history? Add in the possibility of Conor McGregor sharing that stage, and this could be the most explosive UFC card ever. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 17, 2025, where it first appeared.
Forbes
5 days ago
- Sport
- Forbes
UFC 321 Main Event: Tom Aspinall Vs. Ciryl Gane Opening Betting Odds
Tom Aspinall becomes heavyweight champion after beating Curtis Blaydes during the Heavyweight bout ... More at the Co-op Live Arena, Manchester. Picture date: Sunday July 28, 2024. (Photo by Richard Sellers/PA Images via Getty Images) UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall gets his first official title defense on October 25 when he faces former interim champ Ciryl Gane in the main event of the UFC 321 pay-per-view fight card from Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. We look at the opening betting odds for Aspinall vs. Gane UFC 321 Fight Card Main Event: Tom Aspinall Vs. Ciryl Gane Opening Betting Odds And Line Movement Not long after UFC CEO Dana White announced the UFC 321 main event, BetOnline came out with betting lines for the fight. Aspinall opened as the -350 betting favorite over Gane, who opened as the +285 betting underdog. Less than 24 hours since White announced the matchup, Aspinall has moved to -400, while Gane is now +300. UFC 321 Fight Card Main Event: Tom Aspinall Vs. Ciryl Gane MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JULY 27: Tom Aspinall of England reacts after his knockout victory against ... More Curtis Blaydes in the interim UFC heavyweight championship bout during the UFC 304 event at Co-op Live on July 27, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images) Tom Aspinall (15-3) had a 7-2 professional MMA record when the UFC inked him to a deal in 2020. Aspinall made his promotional debut in July 2020 with a 45-second knockout win over Jake Collier. The win earned the then 27-year-old his first 'Performance of the Night' bonus. A knockout win over Alan Baudot followed in October of that year. Aspinall made it three stoppages in a row in February 2021 when he tapped Andrei Arlovski in the second round of their matchup, a card that was headlined by Curtis Blaydes losing to Derrick Lewis by second-round KO. Aspinall's win over Arlovski broke him into the rankings at No. 13. First-round stoppage wins over Serghei Spivac (TKO) and Alexander Volkov (submission) followed the Arlovski triumph. The Blaydes matchup was next on Aspinall's schedule. The injury he suffered in that contest kept him out of action until July 2023 when he stepped into the Octagon to face Marcin Tybura. Aspinall showed no hesitation or ill effects from his knee injury, as he dispatched Tybura in 73 seconds, winning the fight by TKO. Then, with UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones injured and out of his scheduled UFC 295 matchup against Stipe Miocic, the UFC tapped Aspinall and Sergei Pavlovich to face off for the interim heavyweight title at UFC 295. Aspinall won the bout, and the title, with a 69-second knockout. Aspinall defended the interim crown once, defeating Curtis Blaydes via knockout at the 1:00 mark of Round 1 of their UFC 304 matchup. Now 32, Aspinall has seven first-round stoppage wins and one second-round stoppage victory under the UFC banner. He has never gone past 1:09 of the second round in UFC action. Aspinall has earned seven 'Performance of the Night' bonuses during his UFC run. The only win he has where he failed to pick up a post-fight bonus was his win over Baudot in 2020. LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 07: Ciryl Gane of France looks on before a heavyweight bout against ... More Alexander Volkov of Russia during the UFC 310 event at T-Mobile Arena on December 07, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC) Ciryl Gane (13-2) is the No. 1 fighter in the official UFC heavyweight rankings. The 35-year-old French competitor has only lost in UFC title fights, falling to Francis Ngannou by decision in 2022 for the undisputed title, and losing to Jon Jones via submission in 2023 for the vacant belt. Gane did capture the interim heavyweight belt in 2021 with a knockout of Derrick Lewis. Gane debuted with the UFC in 2019 following a Muay Thai career. He was 3-0 in MMA when he first fought inside the Octagon. Gane went 7-0 to begin his UFC career. His first loss came in a title unification bout against Ngannou. Gane enters UFC 321 on a two-fight winning streak. He defeated Serghei Spivac by TKO in September 2023. In his most recent trip to the Octagon, Gane bested Alexander Volkov via decision at UFC 310. Tom Aspinall Named UFC Heavyweight Champ LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 08: UFC CEO Dana White holds a press conference after the UFC 313 event at ... More T-Mobile Arena on March 08, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC) In June, then-UFC heavyweight champ Jon Jones retired. The UFC named Aspinall the undisputed champion at that time. "Jon Jones called us last night and retired. Jon Jones is officially retired. Tom Aspinall is the heavyweight champion of the UFC," White said during the post-fight press conference following the UFC Baku fight card. "I obviously feel bad for Tom that he lost all that time and money, but we'll make it up to him," White added. "Tom Aspinall is a good guy. He's been incredible through this whole process that we've gone through. He's been willing to do anything – fight him anywhere at any time and do this. Now he's like, 'I'll fight anybody. Tell me who and I'll fight him.' Aspinall has been great. He's going to be a great heavyweight champion for us and I'm excited to work with him." "International Fight Week starts Monday in Las Vegas," White continued. 'Tom will be in Vegas all week with us, so we'll get together with him and figure out what's next.' Tom Aspinall Was The Longest Serving UFC Interim Champion LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 13: UFC interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall attends the UFC 300 ... More event at T-Mobile Arena on April 13, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images) Aspinall won the interim UFC heavyweight crown in November 2023 with a knockout victory over Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 295. Aspinall took that fight on short notice when the original main event for that card, Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic for Jones's heavyweight title was scrapped following an injury to Jones. Despite Aspinall winning the interim crown, UFC CEO Dana White remained steadfast in saying that Jones vs. Miocic was the fight to make. That fight did not take place until November 2024. Jones held on to his belt that night, beating Miocic by TKO in the third round. By that time, Aspinall had already defended his interim crown, scoring a first-round knockout win over Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304 in July 2024. Aspinall, who has not fought since he defeated Blaydes, had been waiting for the title unification bout with Jones since Jones's win over Miocic in November. In late April, Aspinall became the longest-serving UFC interim champion, topping the 535-day reign of Renan Barao, who defended his interim title twice before being named undisputed champion. UFC 321 Official Fights Tom Aspinall vs. Ciryl Gane: For Aspinall's UFC heavyweight title Alexander Volkov vs. Jailton Almeida: Heavyweight Aleksander Rakic vs. Azamat Murzakanov: Light Heavyweight Hamdy Abdelwahab vs. Chris Barnett: Heavyweight Ikram Aliskerov vs. Junyong Park: Middleweight Azat Maksum vs. Mitch Raposo We will have more on UFC 321, including opening betting odds for the co-main event when that fight is made official.
