Latest news with #UFC309
Forbes
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Tom Aspinall Says UFC Champ Jon Jones is Retired: It's Time To Move On
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 16: Interim UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall looks on during the ... More UFC heavyweight championship fight during the UFC 309 event at Madison Square Garden on November 16, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC) Interim UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall is tired of waiting for UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones to face him in a title unification bout. "Jon Jones is retired," Aspinall told Daniel Cormier and Chael Sonnen. "I want to say God bless him moving forward in what he does with his life and career. We move on. I'm the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. I'm ready to take on all comers and get this division moving again. "Those guys have been waiting around too long. The contenders are getting sick of it. Everybody's getting sick of it. Even the fans are getting sick of this stuff. So, Jon's retired and it's time that we move on. "I'm the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. I'm ready to take on all comers, get this division moving again. Us guys have been waiting around too long. The guys, contenders are getting sick of it, everybody's getting sick of it, even the fans are getting sick of it. Jon's retired and it's time that we move on.' 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) 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 has been waiting for the title unification bout with Jones since Jones's win over Miocic in November. In late April, Miocic 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. NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 14: Jon Jones and UFC President Dana White react during the UFC 309 ... More press conference at The Theater at Madison Square Garden on November 14, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC) In late April, UFC CEO Dana White addressed rumors about the Jones vs. Aspinall fight. 'Everything you hear is (expletive) until we (the UFC) say it,' White said of all the talk about Jones vs. Aspinall. 'I've said it many times, that's the fight we want to make this year.' White then added that he remains 'super confident' that Jones and Aspinall will meet in 2025 before adding, 'I've said since day one, this will be the biggest heavyweight in the history of the company and in the history of the sport. It's going to be a big one.' Tom Aspinall during the Heavyweight fight at the Co-op Live Arena, Manchester. Picture date: ... More Saturday July 27, 2024. (Photo by Richard Sellers/PA Images via Getty Images) 'I'm not looking to fight Jon Jones,' Aspinall said. 'I'm looking to fight for the undisputed heavyweight championship. That's what I want to be. I want to be the UFC undisputed heavyweight champion. I see a lot of people comparing me to Michael Chandler. Michael Chandler waited for a long time for Conor McGregor. I'm not waiting for one fight. I'm not trying to fight one guy. I'm trying to fight all the guys. I'm trying to be the guy at heavyweight who takes out everybody. 'It doesn't matter who it is. Ciryl Gane, [Alexander] Volkov rematch, [Jailton] Almeida, Derrick Lewis, Brock Lesnar, whoever it is, I don't care. I want to fight everybody, and I want to fight as much as possible, get some excitement back in this division. Let's not talk about Jon Jones anymore. All the best, the guy's living his best life. Full respect to him, wish him all the best in the future, he deserves all the money and success that he gets. I'm the active guy, I'm going to fight somebody, and that's going to be announced pretty soon.'
The Irish Sun
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Jon Jones reveals Tom Aspinall AGREEMENT after UFC fans demand Dana White strip him of belt
JON JONES has sent UFC fans into a frenzy by revealing he has an agreement in place with Tom Aspinall. The pair, 37 and 32 respectively, have been on course for a historic heavyweight title unification bout since last November. Advertisement 4 Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall have been on a collision course for nearly two years Credit: INSTAGRAM@TOMASPINALL 4 Jones has keep MMA fans on tenterhooks with his next move Credit: GETTY 4 The UFC icon has claimed to have reached an agreement with Aspinall Credit: GETTY Their mammoth melee, however, has yet to come to fruition - despite the UFC's meeting of Jones' MMA fans have been left on tenterhooks by Jones over the last few weeks as the former pound-for-pound king has toed and froed with the prospect of retirement. The Hall of Famer claimed last month that UFC brass are aware of his plans and insisted he's not holding Aspinall back in any way, shape or form. And during a recent seminar in Phuket in Thailand , he claimed he and Aspinall have agreed not to divulge any details of their proposed fight or the future of the division before the UFC. Advertisement READ MORE ON JONES VS ASPINALL In a video from the seminar, a fan asked Jones: "When are you fighting Tom?" The former long-reigning light-heavyweight king replied: "I was waiting for it. "The UFC, I, and Tom we all have a lot of stuff happening behind the scenes. They're one of the biggest organisations in sports. "Right now, Tom and I have agreed to wait for the UFC to make their announcements, so I legally can't really talk about it.' Advertisement Most read in Sport JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS 4 Jones' comments sent UFC fans into meltdon, with many divided over his statement. One said: Holy s**t! I told all of you." Advertisement Jon Jones Blasts UFC Rival Tom Aspinall In X-Rated Rant Another said: "It's happening." And another sad: "Wait for the UFC to make the announcement… of his retirement! Will not believe it till I see it, thanks." One remarked: "Cant wait for Jones to beat Aspinall's ass and end this." "Another chimed in: "Going to announce he's taking a break and vacating belt." Advertisement Jones' comments came just days after a recent interview in which he admitted he's undecided about his fighting future aired. During an appearance on "I do feel like I'll be a lifelong martial artist whether I'm coaching others or taking exhibition matches and things like that. Tom and I have agreed to wait for the UFC to make their announcements." Jon Jones "There's a lot of great competition still in the UFC. I do view myself as more than a fighter. Advertisement "Being in my position, I feel like I have a lot more options than a lot of the other fighters as far as the ability to leave and return. "And so right now I'm just focusing on love, happiness, kindness. "We're at the quarter-century mark, and this year should be a really special year." Jones hasn't set foot inside the octagon since his Madison Square Garden mauling of Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 last November. Advertisement Wigan warrior
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Ramiz Brahimaj vs. Billy Ray Goff prediction, pick, start time for UFC on ESPN 68
Ramiz Brahimaj vs. Billy Ray Goff prediction, pick, start time for UFC on ESPN 68 Welterweight finishers Ramiz Brahimaj and Billy Ray Goff clash on the UFC on ESPN 68 main card. Can the judges put their pencils down for this one? Ramiz Brahimaj and Billy Ray Goff meet Saturday on the main card of UFC on ESPN 68 at UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Check out this quick breakdown of the matchup from MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom. Last event: 3-1 UFC main cards, 2025: 46-39-1 Ramiz Brahimaj vs. Billy Ray Goff UFC on ESPN 68 preview Brahimaj (11-5 MMA, 3-3 UFC) picked up his first career Performance of the Bonus award in his last outing against Mickey Gall at UFC 309. Brahimaj finished the fight by knockout in the first round to rebound from a unanimous decision loss against Themba Gorimbo last May. Brahimaj has traded wins and losses since starting his pro career 6-0. ... Goff (9-3 MMA, 1-1 UFC) aims to retrun to the win column in just his third UFC appearance. After impressing in his debut with a first-round knockout of Yusaku Kinoshita, his six-fight winning streak came to an end in his sophomore appearance against Trey Waters last May – although the bout won the Fight of the Night bonus. Ramiz Brahimaj vs. Billy Ray Goff UFC on ESPN 68 expert pick, prediction Serving as a solid action fight at 170 pounds is a battle between Brahimaj and Goff. Brahimaj, who works with the well-respected Sayif Saud, showed some of his striking progression last time out with a knockout win over Mickey Gall. That said, Brahimaj is primarily a grappler who loves to get things done early. Goff is a wildman who will give Brahimaj opportunities early, but he's also a dangerous offensive dynamo in his own right. It's also worth noting that Goff has been preparing for multiple dates ahead of this Saturday's booking and looks to be in career-best shape. I hate picking against fighters affiliated with coach Saud, but I suspect that Goff can survive the early storms en route to a knockout win in Round 2. Ramiz Brahimaj vs. Billy Ray Goff UFC on ESPN 68 odds The oddsmakers and the public are favoring the younger fighter, listing Goff -340 and Brahimaj +260 via FanDuel. Ramiz Brahimaj vs. Billy Ray Goff UFC on ESPN 68 start time, how to watch Brahimaj and Goff are expected to walk to the cage at approximately 11:10 p.m. ET. The fight broadcasts on ESPN+.
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Michael Chandler: Striking favors Ilia Topuria, but Charles Oliveira is 'tough everywhere'
Michael Chandler: Striking favors Ilia Topuria, but Charles Oliveira is 'tough everywhere' Michael Chandler knows first hand not to count out Charles Oliveira at UFC 317. Oliveira (35-10 MMA, 23-10 UFC) is a sizable underdog for his vacant lightweight title fight against Ilia Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) in the June 28 main event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+). Chandler fought Oliveira twice – losing to him the first time by knockout at UFC 262, then by unanimous decision at UFC 309. "It's tough. You don't bet against freaking Charles Oliveira because he's so dang good everywhere, and he's a really hard guy to beat," Chandler told MMA Junkie. "With that being said, Ilia Topuria's got some crazy power in his hands, and crazy accurate strikes. It's going to be very interesting to see how that fight goes. You've got to think that in the striking department leans towards Ilia, but Charles is tough everywhere. Obviously fighting him twice, I know." The UFC's lightweight division saw a lot of moving parts after Topuria vacated his featherweight belt for a move up, and Islam Makhachev relinquished his 155-pound title to go to welterweight. Chandler knows he could have found himself in the title picture if he was able to beat any of his past two opponents. "No, I'm not surprised," Chandler said on the state of the lightweight division. "And I think maybe some of those rumors and stuff maybe played into my decision on why I wanted to fight Paddy, why I wanted to get back in there. "Obviously if you look at the timing, I should have had a win against Oliveira. I messed that up. I should have had a win against Paddy. I messed that up. I've had these great opportunities and they've just slipped through my fingertips. So if I would have beat Charles, I'd be fighting Ilia for the title right now. But this is the way the sport goes."
USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Michael Chandler still wants Conor McGregor fight, but won't 'lose sleep at night' over it
Michael Chandler still wants Conor McGregor fight, but won't 'lose sleep at night' over it Show Caption Hide Caption Michael Chandler breaks silence on Paddy Pimblett, Conor McGregor Michael Chandler talks to MMA Junkie's Mike Bohn in his first interview since his loss to Paddy Pimblett at UFC 314. Michael Chandler isn't giving up on the idea of a fight against Conor McGregor, but he isn't losing any sleep over it either. After coaching opposite one another on "The Ultimate Fighter," Chandler (23-10 MMA, 2-5 UFC) and McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) were supposed to put a cap on the season by meeting in the octagon. Although the fight was trending towards becoming a reality as contracts were drawn up for last June, the fight never materialized. "I get asked about it in every single interview, and rightfully so," Chandler told MMA Junkie. "The Conor-Chandler thing just stays alive, right? Just a couple of weeks ago, all of a sudden, he said, 'Iron' Michael Chandler, unfinished business.' It's not just the fact that we had the contract that we were supposed to fight in June, we did 'The Ultimate Fighter,' we have to finish 'The Ultimate Fighter.' It's just like staying alive." Chandler decided to move on after sitting on the sidelines for two years while waiting for McGregor to make it to the octagon. After a submission loss to Dustin Poirier in November 2022, Chandler returned to action at UFC 309 in November 2024, where he dropped a unanimous decision in a rematch against Charles Oliveira. Chandler's most recent outing was at UFC 314, where Paddy Pimblett stopped him in the third round. It's been a rough stretch for Chandler. While the interest in a McGregor matchup isn't nearly as high as it once was, talk of the potential fight continues. McGregor hasn't been active since a gruesome injury in a trilogy bout against Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021. The intrigue remains due to the personalities and their ability to create excitement in the cage. While Chandler himself still wants the fight to happen, he learned his lesson about waiting around before for the former two-division UFC champ. If it happens, it happens. "It's one of those deals where I'm not losing sleep at night, trying to get the Conor fight, wanting to get the Conor fight," Chandler said. "If me and Conor are supposed to fight, and he's supposed to come back, it's gonna happen and I don't need to force it. With that being said, if I'm a betting man, I'm not sure if he comes back. Do I want to fight him? Do I want to finish 'The Ultimate Fighter 31'? Absolutely. So, we'll see. "All I know is, I'm going to enjoy my family over the summertime, work on some big time business that I've been working on for the last couple weeks since the fight, and see how this whole thing unfolds. ... If that Conor fight is out there and that needs to happen in January, that makes a lot of sense, so we'll see."
