“GOAT protected by Dana” – Dana White’s rigid stance of sidelining Tom Aspinall for ‘legacy’ Jon Jones vs Stipe Miocic fight enrages fans
Dana White snubs out Tom Aspinall's chances at a shot against Jon Jones or Stipe Miocic, but promises other probable matchups.
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Dana White blocks out Tom Aspinall's chances against Jon Jones or Stipe Miocic (Source: IMAGO/Twitter)
Heavyweight Jon Jones was to lock horns with Stipe Miocic at the UFC 295 headliner. But the spectacular return came short due to Jones incurring a pectoral tear. Following this Tom Aspinall was cued in for an interim title fight against Sergei Pavlovich. Aspinall won the matchup and the subsequent interim heavyweight gold. But CEO Dana White is sternly set on not moving forward with the aspirant fighter. This has caught on serious flack from fans.
After the win, the 14-3 Briton striker Tom Aspinall had called for Jones’ title strip. Barring that he wanted to face the champion conversely. But White has been adamant about booking Jones vs. Miocic once the heavyweight recovers. Recently White confirmed as much to “UFC on TNT Sports”. A prime reaction read: “The so-called “Goat” is protected by Dana.”
In a lengthy sitdown with TNT Sports’ Adam Catterall, White delved into the upcoming UFC 296 and on these. He also went on to mention that if interim champion Aspinall is desperate enough, he would beget some matchups, but not against Jones or Miocic. The ominous underlying message has not done well amongst the fans. With Jones returning as the true active heavyweight, Aspinall’s ‘interim’ status would nullify. Hence he had asked White to strip him of the gold or to offer him a matchup pairing.
The fighter has been denied on both counts. Accordingly, Jones himself has also snapped back at Aspinall for such a proposition. As of now White is determined to uphold the legacy of the heavyweight “G.O.A.T”. Jones is to recover in about an estimated span of 7-8 months.
Fans react to Dana White snubbing out champion Tom Aspinall’s future chances
Tom Aspinall secured the interim heavyweight gold at UFC 295, in spectacular fashion. The fighter came out victorious with a 69-second KO, subbing in for an injured Jon Jones. Jones was to headline the event originally at Madison Square Garden on Nov. 11. But with a training injury, the fighter had to withdraw from the card. Now, Aspinall has been trying well and hard to forge his legacy as the one true active champion. But the promotion’s foreman Dana White had denied him the privilege.
With his recent victory, and the one against Marcin Tybura (UFC Fight Night heavyweight event) Aspinall is thus on a back-to-back win streak. Time and again White has denied his request for a pairing against a returning Jones. White is set on booking Jones against Stipe Miocic for 2024, his original opponent. He reaffirmed as much in a recent interview with TNT Sports. Check out what the fans had to say about that:
Most of the fan community has berated the decision to sideline the already active champion. Some have, however, invoked a matchup with Cyrill Gane as a possible next opponent for Aspinall to climb up his way to Jones. Meanwhile, the fighter himself has correspondingly also cued an interest to venture into boxing.
In case you missed it:
- “It makes complete sense!” Tom Aspinall calls out Stipe Miocic to challenge for interim heavyweight belt while Jon Jones remains injured
- Interim champ Tom Aspinall boldly asks Dana White & co to STRIP Jon Jones from UFC heavyweight title
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Gerard Crispin
(3318 Articles Published)