MMA Today: Tom Aspinall Calls Out UFC Brass, Jon Jones, Event Schedule
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Welcome back to MMA (and Boxing) Today, a weekly series in combat sports presented by MMAKO’s Zain Bando, which walks through the biggest stories in the sport that may have gotten lost in the shuffle over the weekend. This edition has something for everyone from UFC 305 Saturday night to the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson presser Sunday afternoon.
Without further ado, let’s jump right into the action as of Monday, Aug. 19.
Tom Aspinall To Release Video Regarding Next Fight, Jon Jones
UFC interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall appears to be fed up with waiting around. Aspinall has caught wind of the UFC’s desire to book Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic, a fight that has been delayed since mid-2021, instead of him vs. Jones to unify the belts.
Aspinall took to social media to explain his rationale for believing he should be next in line, revealing that he is planning to make a video explaining it all.
“This week, actually, we've got a cracking video coming out,” Aspinall said. “We're going to clap back, clapping back... We're after Jon Jones. We want the Jon Jones fight around here. We're trying to make it happen. Fans want to see it happen. Everyone wants to see it happen. Apparently, according to Mr. Dana White, the CEO, the main dog, the best - not even mixed martial artist promoter - the best combat sports promoter ever is saying that Jon Jones is the pound-for-pound No. 1."
Tom Aspinall reacts to Dana White saying Jon Jones is the #1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) August 18, 2024
He says he'll be dropping a video later this week clapping back at Dana White and Jon Jones 👀
🎥 YT / @AspinallMMA #UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/5SONDEXwM6
From Aspinall’s comments, it seems apparent that he doesn’t appreciate White singing Jones’ praises. While Jones has not fought in over a year, Aspinall won and defended the interim heavyweight title, becoming the first heavyweight to successfully defend an interim strap.
Jones’ targeted return date is Nov. 16 at Madison Square Garden in New York in what would be his first, and potentially final fight, in The Big Apple.
UFC Releases Event Schedule For Remainder Of 2024
In a rare announcement on the UFC 305 pay-per-view broadcast, the promotion laid out the pathway forward for the rest of its calendar year events, starting Aug. 24 with UFC Vegas 96 and ending with UFC Tampa Dec. 14.
The full schedule, which can be seen below, will feature five more pay-per-view offerings (including UFC 306), UFC APEX “Fight Night” cards through Nov. 9 and trips to France, China, and Canada along the way.
*Final 14 UFC events for 2024
Date | Event |
---|---|
Aug 24 | UFC Vegas 96 - Cannonier vs. Borralho (UFC APEX in Las Vegas) |
Sept 7 | UFC Vegas 97 - Burns vs. Brady (UFC APEX in Las Vegas) |
Sept 14 | UFC 306/Noche UFC - O'Malley vs. Dvalishvili (The Sphere in Las Vegas) |
Sept 28 | UFC Paris - Moicano vs. Saint Denis (Accor Arena in Paris) |
Oct 5 | UFC 307 - Pereira vs. Rountree (Delta Center in Salt Lake City) |
Oct 12 | UFC Vegas 98 - Royval vs. Taira (UFC APEX in Las Vegas) |
Oct 19 | UFC Vegas 99 - Pereira vs. Hernandez (UFC APEX in Las Vegas) |
Oct 26 | UFC 308 - Topuria vs. Holloway (Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi) |
Nov 2 | UFC Edmonton - Blanchfield vs. Namajunas (Rogers Place in Edmonton) |
Nov 9 | UFC Vegas 100 - TBA vs. TBA (UFC APEX in Las Vegas) |
Nov 16 | UFC 309 - TBA vs. TBA (Madison Square Garden in New York) |
Nov 23 | UFC Macau - TBA vs. TBA (Galaxy Arena in Macau) |
Dec 7 | UFC 310 - TBA vs. TBA (T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas) |
TBA | UFC Tampa - TBA vs. TBA (Amalie Arena in Tampa) |
Note that main events and bout orders are subject to change, as not every card has been made final by the promotion at present.
Jake Paul, Mike Tyson Trade Barbs at Fanatics Fest
Yes, Jake Paul and Mike Tyson will thrown down on Friday, Nov. 15. There is no love lost between the two, even if they may have just the tiniest ounce of respect for one another.
Check out the heated face-off from yesterday below.
Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul faceoff #PaulTyson pic.twitter.com/lUh9JeJxuE
— Helen Yee (@HelenYeeSports) August 18, 2024
What’s Coming Up?
The UFC is back in Las Vegas for its final event in August as Jared Cannonier and Caio Borralho headline at middleweight, also crowning two new TUF winners to cap off season 32. In Washington, D.C., it’s the final PFL playoff card, featuring welterweights and featherweights Friday night beginning at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT with the Early Card, followed by the Main Card at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.
UFC 305: Dricus Du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya Free Live Stream Results & Highlights
Read More UFC & MMA News
• UFC 307: Khalil Rountree Calls Alex Pereira ‘Fight of the Year’, Replies to Ex-Champ
• UFC 307: Jamahal Hill Baffled by Khalil Rountree Jr. Title Shot vs. Alex Pereira
• UFC News: Champion Belal Muhammad Called Out for First Title Defense
• Noche UFC Secures Backup Fighter for Sphere Show, Official UFC 306 Poster Released
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