“I’m not a bully…” Tom Aspinall responds to ‘smaller guy’ Alex Pereira’s UFC 300 call-out

After Alex Pereira's 3-division title aspirations, interim champ Tom Aspinall reveals his feelings on a potential matchup.


“I’m not a bully…” Tom Aspinall responds to ‘smaller guy’ Alex Pereira’s UFC 300 call-out

Tom Aspinall is ready for Alex Pereira at UFC 300 (Source: Twitter/talkSports.com)

With no undisputed title shot contention in sight, Tom Aspinall wants to move forward. The interim titleholder is ready to welcome Alex Pereira as the next challenge. Recently, Pereira teased a potential return with UFC 300 emerging soon. “Poatan” himself put the 265lbs weight class on notice recently, with his possible 3-division aspiration.

Aspinall had taken notice of Pereira’s desire to fight in the heavyweight division. He was not against the idea of fighting Pereira. Speaking on his YouTube channel, here’s what Aspinall had to say:

If he wants to, I will [Alex Pereira]... But I’m going on record and saying I’m not a bully. I don’t bully smaller guys. But, if the smaller guy wants a scrap, count me in...
Tom Aspinall on facing Alex Pereira
YouTube video

On the sidelines, Aspinall has remained vocal on fighting as soon as possible. He has even settled on a fight with the winner of the UFC 299 bout between Curtis Blaydes vs. Jailton Almeida. While desperate to fight, the champion plans to hold his ground if “Poatan” does make a move to heavyweight.

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Attending the Ares FC 18 pre-weigh-ins, Pereira additionally spoofed a heavyweight face-off with Ciryl Gane. This, accordingly, has fuelled even more expectations. With him attaining two-division glory in UFC and GLORY kickboxing, fans naturally trust his mettle. Only time will tell if such a heavyweight bout ever comes to be.

Tom Aspinall recalls the story of Alex Pereira sizing him up

Alex “Poatan” Pereira and Tom Aspinall were the two standouts from UFC 295. With his 69-second KO win over Sergei Pavlovich, Aspinall won the interim heavyweight gold. However, his hopes for a UFC undisputed title fight remain unfulfilled due to the UFC wanting to book a fight between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic.

Tom Aspinall reiterates champion Alex Pereira sizing him up
Tom Aspinall reiterates champion Alex Pereira sizing him up (Source: Twitter/IMAGO)

Aspinall went on the True Geordie Podcast and discussed about Alex Pereira. Aspinall informed on ‘Poatan’ sizing him up at the UFC 295 post-fight press conference. Check out what he said below:

https://twitter.com/realruebenking/status/1736769358590771592?s=20

UFC CEO Dana White recently spoiled fans with the surprising BMF title fight between Justin Gaethje and Max Holloway. As a result, the historic fight card now has two title fights, along with the strawweight title fight between Zhang Weili and Yan Xiaonan.

Fans are highly expectant of a third star-studded title bout. And if it does happen to be between Pereira and Aspinall, many want Aspinall to defend the interim title. If so, Pereira could get the chance to become the first-ever three-division belt holder.

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