MMA
Tom Aspinall says he’s ready to fight, waiting on UFC return date
Tom
Aspinall is targeting September's UFC Paris card for a return to
the Octagon. | 📷: Getty/UFC
Fans can expect
Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight champion Tom
Aspinall back in the Octagon soon.
Aspinall has been out of action recovering from an eye injury he
suffered against Ciryl Gane
(14-2) at UFC
321 in October of last year. The bout ended in a no contest
after Gane simultaneously poked the Englishman in both eyes in the
first round. Aspinall is now gearing up for his return.
Tom Aspinall ready to fight again, but UFC relationship remains
a storyline
Aspinall (15-3) recently revealed that he is ready to fight again.
The Brit claims to have informed the promotion that he is ready to
return and is eyeing the UFC
Paris card in September.
“We’ve let the UFC know that we’re ready to go and we’re just
waiting for dates,†Aspinall said on his YouTube channel. “We’ve
just literally told them we can do it in Paris. We told them we can
do it wherever they want. So, we’re just waiting for them to let us
know. It’s down to the UFC.â€
Notably, Aspinall had a falling out with the UFC, unhappy with how
the aftermath played out and with some of Dana White's comments. He
then onboarded boxing promoter Eddie Hearn as an advisor, further
souring the relationship between himself and White.
Gane won the interim title for a second time at
UFC Freedom 250 by defeating Alex
Pereira, setting up a rematch with Aspinall. The UFC's next
event in Paris is slated for Sept. 5.
iliatopuria on InstagramFormer UFC champion Belal Muhammad believes Ilia Topuria should face Paddy Pimblett when he returns to the cage.
After losing the UFC lightweight championship, Ilia Topuria is in a difficult position. While it seems like he is set for an immediate rematch against Justin Gaethje (if reports are to be believed), a lot of people feel like that isn't the best move for him so soon after dropping the belt.
RELATED: Dana White claims Ilia Topuria is ‘ready' to fight after UFC Freedom 250 defeat
Another option, of course, is Ilia Topuria vs Paddy Pimblett. There's been bad blood between these two rivals for a long time now, and it makes sense that we finally get to see them blow off their feud in the Octagon.
In a recent video, Belal Muhammad weighed in on the Ilia Topuria situation.
Muhammad on Ilia Topuria's next fight
“What do I think about it? I don't think Topuria deserves it,†Muhammad said on his YouTube channel. “It was a great fight, but he made you quit. He broke him and it was a clear decision. It wasn't like a split decision, came down to the wire. He got him, he won, he finished him. For Topuria, he's coming back, he's already talking and saying that this is going to make him better, this is going to change him. So let's get you another fight.â€
“Paddy Pimblett's right there. I think the Paddy Pimblett fight makes the most sense, but I'm sure he's still recovering himself,†Muhammad said. “Two broken orbitals, I don't know what else he had. I know he's a big name, but for Justin, I don't see Justin taking that rematch. He already said he's not taking that rematch. If I'm Justin, maybe I try to get the Max Holloway fight again.â€
Quotes via MMA Junkie
Do you agree? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, BJPENN Nation!
This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM
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