Tom Aspinall, now the UFC heavyweight champion after Jon Jones' retirement, is determined to become the best in the division, aiming to defend his title multiple times and stay active. With an 8-1 UFC record and a perfect finishing rate, Aspinall is eager to fight soon, with UFC discussions planned to determine his next opponent, potentially Ciryl Gane or Jailton Almeida, likely in October.
Joe Rogan praises Tom Aspinall as a potentially dominant UFC heavyweight champion, highlighting his exceptional speed and agility, which he believes surpasses even Francis Ngannou, amid ongoing division and title debates.
UFC star Jon Jones has announced his retirement, making Tom Aspinall the undisputed heavyweight champion of the UFC, following Jones's decision and ongoing negotiations for a fight with Aspinall that may not materialize.
Jon Jones, considered one of the greatest MMA fighters, has retired from UFC competition, with UFC CEO Dana White announcing the news and elevating Tom Aspinall to heavyweight champion, after Jones informed the promotion of his decision to retire.
Jon Jones announced his retirement from UFC, ending a controversial and drawn-out saga, and Tom Aspinall was promoted to UFC heavyweight champion, marking a new chapter in the division amid a complicated series of events.
Tom Aspinall believes Jon Jones is retired and has declared himself the undisputed UFC heavyweight champion, emphasizing his readiness to fight for the title and move the division forward without waiting for Jones.
Jon Jones remains undecided about his future in UFC, expressing uncertainty about fighting again and focusing on personal growth, acting, and mentoring, with no clear plans for a return to the octagon.
Stipe Miocic, the former UFC heavyweight champion, announced his retirement following a loss to Jon Jones at UFC 309. In a heartfelt statement, Miocic reflected on his career, expressing gratitude to his coaches, opponents, family, and fans. He highlighted his journey from local fights to selling out Madison Square Garden and acknowledged the support from his hometowns of Croatia and Cleveland, Ohio. Miocic retires as the greatest UFC heavyweight champion, holding the record for most title defenses in the division.
Stipe Miocic announced his retirement from mixed martial arts following a loss to Jon Jones at UFC 309. The 42-year-old former heavyweight champion was defeated by Jones in the third round with a spin kick to the body. Miocic, who holds the record for the most consecutive and total UFC heavyweight title defenses, cited his inactivity in recent years and expressed no regrets about his decision to retire. He acknowledged Jones' skill and took responsibility for his performance, wishing Jones the best in his future endeavors.
Deontay Wilder's mother, Deborah Wilder, expressed pride and a sense of closure after her son suffered a fifth-round knockout against Zhilei Zhang, likely marking the end of his boxing career. She emphasized celebrating his achievements, including his tenure as WBC heavyweight champion and his role in revitalizing American boxing. Wilder, who has a record of 43-4-1 with 42 knockouts, hinted at retirement before the fight and has not addressed the media since.
WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury narrowly avoids defeat in a non-title fight against former UFC fighter Francis Ngannou, winning on a split decision. Ngannou knocked down Fury in the third round but failed to capitalize on the opportunity, landing only six punches in the final two rounds. Fury landed more punches overall but Ngannou had more power shots. Fury expressed respect for Ngannou and stated he would like to fight him again in the future. Ngannou, despite the loss, felt positive about his performance and plans to continue working and improving in boxing.
Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou has signed an "exclusive global MMA strategic partnership" with the PFL, which includes a role as the new PFL Africa chairman and minority equity owner. Ngannou will fight exclusively on PFL’s upcoming pay-per-view “super fight division” events rather than the traditional seasonal tournament format. Daniel Cormier says Ngannou's deal sets a new standard in MMA and will elevate other fighters through his actions, with even his opponents getting a bump in pay. Ngannou's professional boxing debut is expected in 2023, with his MMA return in 2024.
Francis Ngannou, former UFC heavyweight champion, has signed with the PFL and will also serve as an executive in partnership with the league. The move has raised questions about potential opponents, how it might affect the PFL's bottom line, and whether it could influence other UFC stars to demand more from their promotion. Heck of a Morning also discusses other MMA news, including possible matchups and breakout stars.
ONE Championship CEO Chatri Sityodtong announced that the company has decided not to submit their final offer to former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou after a meeting. Sityodtong cited a lack of alignment on non-financial matters as the reason for the decision. Ngannou is currently a free agent after parting ways with the UFC as the undisputed heavyweight champion.
Former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua's lackluster performance in a unanimous decision win over Jermaine Franklin has raised concerns about his ability to compete with elite boxers like Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder. Despite having all the physical skills, Joshua seems lost as a fighter and lacks confidence in his chin. He faces a difficult decision of either fighting the elite and risking concussions or accepting a pay cut and disinterest from fans by fighting lower-level opponents.
