“Sounds good” – Tom Aspinall settles for new opponent after Dana White shutting down idea of Jon Jones fight

Tom Aspinall is open to a fight with the winner of the UFC 299 bout between Curtis Blaydes vs. Jailton Almeida next.

“Sounds good” – Tom Aspinall settles for new opponent after Dana White shutting down idea of Jon Jones fight

Tom Aspinall is open to facing victor of UFC 299 clash between Curtis Blaydes vs. Jailton Almeida (Source: IMAGO/Twitter)

Tom Aspinall holds on to the interim heavyweight gold for now. But in the absence of heavyweight titleholder Jon Jones, things have been stale for the 14-3 Briton striker. Very recently, speaking with UFC on TNT Sports, helmsman Dana White had sidelined Aspinall for the ‘legacy’ fight – Jones vs Stipe Miocic showdown. Now, Aspinall is ready to move on to other prospective clashes after his UFC 295 victory. Next in sight – Curtis Blaydes vs. Jailton Almeida for UFC 299.

The 27-1 heavyweight was to make a spectacular return after UFC 285 to face Miocic. But Jones had to withdraw from the UFC 295 headliner after incurring a sudden pectoral tear, in training. Following this the promotion cued in Aspinall for an interim title fight against Sergei Pavlovich. Taking to X, the Briton got the suggestion to rectify his 2022 skid to Blaydes, in Jones’ absence. Here’s what Aspinall had to say on the matter:

Winner of Blaydes Almeida sounds good...
Tom Aspinall on X
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In Jones’s absence, Aspinall has recently pondered on crossover boxing aspirations He even heavily asserted his active status, aiming at an undisputed title showdown. Blaydes defeated the fighter at UFC Fight Night 208 in July last year. So it is only natural that Aspinall would aspire to avenge the loss. Now, the 17-4 heavyweight locks on to 20-2 MMA, 6-0 UFC Almeida in a heavyweight showdown at UFC 299.

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Jones on the other hand, whom he called for a strip of title, clapped back at such hilarious propositions. With no undisputed title contention in sight, Aspinall is seemingly ready to take on the victor of UFC 299 next.

Tom Aspinall contends with idea of no heavyweight showdown, against Alex Pereira

Tom Aspinall and Alex Pereira are the two consecutive winners of UFC 295. Recently, fans have wistfully indulged in the prediction that “Poatan” might just be able to bag a three-division glory. With a recent heavyweight face-off spoof with Ciryl Gane, and Aspinall lauding his aura (post-fight at UFC 295), this belief has solidified even more.

Tom Aspinall settles on Alex Pereira's choice to defend his 205lb gold, in Jon Jones' absence
Tom Aspinall settles on Alex Pereira’s choice to defend his 205lb gold, in Jon Jones’ absence (Source: Twitter)

Conversely, doing social media rounds, he also nudged in facing the winner of Curtis Blaydes vs. Jailton Almeida for UFC 299. Recently in an interview facilitated by Stake.com, Almeida told MMA Junkie that he hopes “the Aspinall fight” to come first. Check out Aspinall’s recent thoughts on Pereira, in his reply-tweet.

With no Jon Jones in sight, Aspinall is ready to move on to new ventures. But with Pereira defending his light heavyweight title, “Poatan” isn’t it. Blaydes and the Briton have a history together. While Almeida is MMA Junkie’s 2023 Breakout Fighter of the Year with wins over Derrick Lewis, Jairzinho Rozenstruik, and Shamil Abdurakhimov. So it’s a win for Aspinall either way. As for two-division and GLORY kickboxing champion Pereira, one can only hope.

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