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Tom Aspinall is ready to jump at any opportunity to fight Jon Jones.

At UFC 304, Aspinall successfully defended his interim heavyweight title with a 60-second smashing of Curtis Blaydes; and while the title defense was exceptional, it still didn’t manage to earn Aspinall the one thing he wants most: a fight with Jones.

Jones is the current UFC heavyweight champion, having won the vacant title by defeating Ciryl Gane in 2023, and is dead set on facing former heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic in his first title defense. Rumor has it that fight will finally happen at UFC 309 in November, and should that be the case, Aspinall has dibs.

“Jon Jones, I know you’ve got your fight coming up,” Aspinall said in a YouTube video. “Apparently it’s in November, against Stipe Miocic. Nothing has been announced or signed yet, as far as I’m aware, but if that does happen, I’ll be there, I’ll be ready to jump in with either of you guys for the undisputed title if one of you is going to pull out.

“But if you successfully defend against Stipe in November, I will be there in the crowd, I’ll be there front row. I want you to hand me the undisputed title as you walk past me please. Thank you.”

Aspinall has been trying to get a fight with Jones since winning the interim belt last fall, to no avail and despite growing backlash to Miocic getting a title shot despite being 42 years old and having not competed in over three years. But there may be a sliver of light at the end of the tunnel for Aspinall, as the Englishman revealed that the UFC has already spoken to him about being the backup fighter for the Jones-Miocic matchup.

“After my last fight with Curtis Blaydes, there was some talk about me being the backup fight,” Aspinall said. “The UFC spoke to me directly about that. I said I’m in. If somebody pulls out, I’m in… I’ll be prepared for that date, so you let me know. I’ll be there. I’m ready to take the fight. I’m the No. 1 in the division, not Jon Jones, not Stipe Miocic. They’re a couple of older fellas having a fight, fighting for the title for some reason. I don’t know why that reason is. But I am the guy at heavyweight and I’m ready to prove that on an hour’s notice if I need to.”

“… I’m hearing rumors that Stipe is potentially injured,” Aspinall added. “These are stuff that I’m hearing from the inner circle. Stipe… he’s 42 years old. The guy is going to be injury prone. Jon Jones, a million miles on the clock, he’s going to be injury prone. Me, I’m ready to go. I’m not even in my prime yet. I’m hungry for it. I’m not sure these two guys are, but I am, and I’ll fight either of them for the undisputed title on any notice. I’m ready.”

Despite Aspinall’s claims, sources told MMA Fighting that Jones vs. Miocic is still expected to take place this November.

Ultimately, its a tough situation for Aspinall who has wins over five fighters currently ranked in the UFC’s top-10 at heavyweight and simply wants his chance to prove what he believes to be true: that he is actually the best heavyweight in the world.

“Jon Jones had an amazing career. I ain’t putting Jon Jones down,” Aspinall said. “Jon Jones isn’t the best heavyweight in the world right now. That’s me. So I want what’s mine. I’m pissed off for greatness. I believe that I should be the No. 1 heavyweight in the world. I’ve done what it takes to deserve that and I’m ready to prove it. Jon Jones isn’t. That’s all I’m saying. Nothing against Jon and his career.

“The issue I have with Jon is he’s got the belt and I want it. I want it. I’ve got a belt too and I want to unify the belts. There shouldn’t be two heavyweight champions, there should be one, and I want it to be me. So that’s all I’m going for now…

“The issue is not with Jon. The issue is not with Stipe. The issue is with them holding the belt hostage. Give me the belt… The belt’s mine. I want it. I’m here for it. I’m here to take it. If you think you’re the man at heavyweight, I’ll take anybody. I’ll fight anybody for the undisputed belt.”

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Former undisputed heavyweight UFC champion, Francis Ngannou finally came face-to-face with incoming foe, Renan Ferreira ahead of his PFL (Professional Fighters League) debut against the Brazilian in Saudi Arabia later this annum, where he struggled to hold back tears whilst discussing the tragic passing of his son earlier this year.

Ngannou, a former undisputed heavyweight champion under the banner of the UFC, has yet to compete in mixed martial arts since he successfully unified the promotional titles against then-interim champion, Ciryl Gane back in 2022.

Handing the Frenchman his first professional loss, Cameroonian favorite, Ngannou landed a unanimous decision win over the former, before departing the promotion to sign with the PFL the following annum.

Francis Ngannou emotional discussing passing of late son, Kobe

And finally slated for his first venture to the SmartCage following a pair of professional boxing matches against former world championship winning duo, Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, Ngannou featured at a pre-fight press conference today ahead of his clash with Ferreira in October.

“FIghting for me is a lifestyle,” Francis Ngannou told assembled media ahead of his PFL MMA debut. “I questioned myself if I should continue or retire, but I didn’t want my son to be the reason for me to do that.”

“It becomes a new purpose for me,” Francis Ngannou explained. “I decided to make a positive out of his 15 months of living. To find strength out of him, as a motivation, to keep going instead of quitting. I think this is the best way of honoring him.”

In his most recent appearance under the PFL banner, Ferreira won an inaugural Super Belt in a heavyweight title fight against Bellator MMA champion, Ryan Bader, laying waste to the former UFC light heavyweight contender with a blistering opening round knockout win in Riyadh, earning a fight against Batie knockout artist, Ngannou.

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Sean O’Malley will defend his UFC bantamweight championship against Merab Dvalishvili at Riyadh Season Noche UFC in the Las Vegas Sphere on September 14, 2024. The event will celebrate Mexican Independence Day and UFC CEO Dana White has promised unprecedented production quality.

With a spectacular win at The Sphere, O’Malley can significantly boost his popularity in MMA circles and draw new fans. However, his opponent has won ten consecutive fights in the UFC with relentless pressure and dominant wrestling.

Amidst the gradually increasing hype for his next fight, “Suga” revealed his mixed feelings about headlining a massive card like UFC 306…

Sean O’Malley Expects The UFC To Promote His Fight, Not Just The Sphere In The Lead-Up To UFC 306

O’Malley talked about the opportunity to headline a card as massive as UFC 306 on Michael Bisping’s Believe You Me podcast recently. With UFC 305 done and dusted, the UFC bantamweight champ acknowledges that Riyadh Season Noche UFC will soon get all the eyes.

“I’m very excited. Now that it’s like, you know, the last fight, the pay-per-view is last weekend so now it’s, you know, it’s always the next pay-per-view, that’s being talked about so now that that fight’s over, we got The Sphere coming up.”

“Suga” realizes his fight with Dvalishvili is the UFC 306 main event over Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway, now scheduled for UFC 308. Conor McGregor was also rumored to be added to the card. He’s naturally honored to get this chance from the UFC but expects the promotions to improve as the event approaches.

O’Malley highlighted that the UFC has promoted The Sphere and the event’s theme more than the fighters, including him and Dvalishvili. However, he looks forward to things getting better once promotion on social media begins.

“A little annoyed-ish about the promotion of The Sphere. The Sphere is the show. I’m the one doing interviews, not The Sphere. Let’s promote Sean vs. Merab, the Suga show. I’m the one fighting let’s go baby. But, you know, it is what it is. The Sphere is going to be f*****g legendary, it’ll be epic, it’ll be cool. But yeah I think these next few weeks are really going to, you know, things are still going to start coming out. ESPN Will start posting, UFC will Start Posting. So, it’s going to feel big soon.

“Suga” leaves no opportunity to take sly digs at his opponents through funny skits and memes on social media platforms. He’s also fulfilling his media responsibilities as a UFC champion, which explains his aforementioned expectations from the promotion.

• Read More: Chael Sonnen Feels Khalil Rountree Fight Will Fast Track Alex Pereira’s Heavyweight Move: ‘The Best Way, Get Him Beat!’

Continue Reading Sean O’Malley ‘Annoyed-ish’ At Noche UFC Fight Promotion After Getting Nod To Headline Over Holloway vs. Topuria, Conor McGregor at MMA News.

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MMA Fighting has PFL 9 results for the Loughnane vs. Kamaka III fight card and more from The Anthem in Washington, D.C., on Friday night.

In the main event, 2022 PFL featherweight champion Brendan Loughnane faces Kai Kamaka III for a berth into this year’s $ 1 million featherweight final. Loughnane is undefeated with two knockouts in the 2024 season, while UFC veteran Kamaka is 2-0 with two decisions.

Magomed Umalatov and Neiman Gracie face off in a welterweight semifinal in the co-main event.

Check out PFL 9 results below.

Main Card (ESPN/ESPN+, 9 p.m. ET)

Brendan Loughnane vs. Kai Kamaka III

Magomed Umalatov vs. Neiman Gracie

Gabriel Braga vs. Timur Khizriev

Shamil Musaev vs. Murad Ramazanov

Preliminary Card (ESPN/ESPN+, 6 p.m. ET)

Ray Cooper III vs. Mukhamed Berkhamov

Tyler Diamond vs. Enrique Barzola

Jesse Stirn vs. Jose Perez

Maxwell Djantou Nana vs. Kent Mafileo

Shido Boris Esperanca vs. Tyler Hill

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Former UFC flyweight Muhammad Mokaev appeared to avoid any serious injuries after a scary car accident took place in his native Dagestan on Thursday.

Numerous Russian outlets reported that the 24-year-old fighter was involved an accident after his Mercedes-AMG A 35 AMG lost control and he ended up in a ditch. Mokaev later updated his condition along with photos of his car after the accident.

“Alhamdulillah, I’m well, out from hospital,” Mokaev wrote on Twitter. “Thank you for the support! I have been tested on high level at this stage of my career and I will be back stronger. InshaAllah!”

There’s no word on what actually caused the accident but a quick look at the photos posted by Mokaev reveal the serious nature of the crash. It appears several cars were actually involved with the hood from one vehicle being completely ripped off.

Mokaev’s car sustained a lot of damage as well but it appears he walked away without suffering any serious injuries.

Of course, Mokaev is just a few weeks removed from his final fight in the UFC where he earned a decision win over Manel Kape at UFC 304. Despite winning, the UFC opted not to renew his contract and ultimately he entered free agency to begin looking for a new fighting home.

Mokaev recently hinted that he may have struck a deal to continue his fighting career outside the UFC but he hasn’t made any formal announcement about where he’s competing next.

For now, Mokaev looks to rest up following the harrowing accident in Dagestan that left his car banged up but thankfully didn’t end with him suffering any major injuries.

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Sean O’Malley enters his second bantamweight title defense on Sept. 14 at the Sphere in Las Vegas dripping with confidence.  “Suga” takes on top contender Merab Dvalishvili in the UFC 306 main event and O’Malley doesn’t think they fight will last that long.  

Dvalishvili has been the top contender in the division for some time but would not fight his training partner Aljamain Sterling, who held the belt until O’Malley dethroned him.  

“He was the top guy in the UFC for a long time at bantamweight because Aljamain Sterling, his best friend, was the champion at the time and they were not going to fight,” explained O’Malley to ESPN MMA.  “Merab was the gatekeeper.  He was beating the next best guy, beating the next best guy, beating the next best guy, wanted the title shot but didn’t want to fight Aljo.”

O’Malley defeated Sterling in the UFC 292 main event last year.  He successfully defended the title against Marlon Vera to avenge a previous loss and it’s now Dvalishvili’s turn.

“It’s stylistically a very different fight.  I’m a striker.  He’s a wrestler.  He said he’s going to strike with me probably because he can’t wrestle with me.  I don’t know why else he would say that,” O’Malley said.  “I don’t think he’s going to test my wrestling.  I don’t think he’s going to be able to.”

“I don’t think Merab is going to be the one to test my wrestling to be honest.  I truly believe that I’m going to put his lights out early,” O’Malley continued.  “It only takes one mistake.”

“I find people’s chins.  I do.  I’m going to find Merab’s chin.  He has a huge head, a huge nose.  It would be hard – I could try to not hit him and still accidentally probably hit him.  That’s how huge his head is.”  

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