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Eddie Hearn says Tom Aspinall still needs ‘additional testing’ on his eyes before fighting again

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Eddie Hearn says Tom Aspinall still needs ‘additional testing’ on his eyes before fighting again

Tom Aspinall is almost ready to return to fighting, but he still has to cross some Ts and dot some Is.

The UFC heavyweight champion has been out of action since October after suffering an eye injury during his title fight with Ciryl Gane at UFC 321. In his absence, Aspinall's relationship with the UFC has seemingly gone through some ups and downs, so much so that Aspinall recently felt the need to squash rumors about wanting out of his UFC deal. Those rumors appear to have stemmed in part from Aspinall's continued absence from the promotion, but his business manager, Eddie Hearn, explained what's going on.

“He's under contract,†Hearn told Bloody Elbow. “The only thing that we have to look at is when Tom Aspinall will be ready to return. And that's not when he will be ready to return from a mindset perspective; that's from a commission perspective in terms of his injuries. And that shows you what he has been through, because if the commission won't let him fight, you know how serious the injuries were. Not saying that's the case, but that's the position we need to get to in order for him to return to the ring.

“He's motivated, and I can't give you an exact date yet, but what I can tell you is he wants to get back in there as soon as he is physically able to do so.â€

As far as dates go, once Aspinall confirmed he was back to training, rumors flew about his return, with most of them suggesting a rematch with Gane might headline UFC 334 at Madison Square Garden in November. Hearn was unwilling to confirm those rumors, saying only that Aspinall wants to get back as soon as he's medically able.

“It all depends whether he'll be ready,†Hearn said. “He's training. I think he's gonna have to go through some additional testing to make sure he's good to return, but he wants to fight.

“He's making a lot of money. And you know what's unbelievable? Let me tell you how much money Tom Aspinall is doing — he won't mind me saying this. I had a deal for him, a six-figure deal where he had to do basically f*ck all, and he went, ‘Nah, I'll leave that one'. I'm like, ‘Oh my God, we have spoiled you'. [Laughs]

“He's a great guy, by the way. And if you look at his social numbers and the work those guys have done across YouTube and pods and stuff like that, he's making a lot of money. But he wants to fight. He's a fighter. So it's been very frustrating for him, but he'll be back.â€

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MMA

Michael ‘Venom’ Page says 3 Misfits fights will pay more than 6 in UFC

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Michael ‘Venom’ Page says 3 Misfits fights will pay more than 6 in UFC
Michael
“Venom” Page says his new deal will pay him more than he earned
during his
Ultimate Fighting Championship tenure.

Page had promised an exciting performance against Nursulton
Ruziboev in September, the final bout of his UFC contract. He
won by unanimous decision, but the promotion opted not to re-sign
him. The Englishman now says his move to Misfits Boxing will bring
a substantial increase in earnings.

Michael Page compares three-fight Misfits contract with
earnings from six UFC appearances

Page produced highlight-reel knockouts in Bellator,
but all six of his UFC appearances went the distance. He finished
5-1 in the promotion, with his only loss coming against Ian
Garry.

Page (26-3) said he received offers from several promotions before
signing with Misfits. He expects to earn more from the three-fight
agreement than he did from his six UFC bouts, describing his new
compensation as roughly double what he previously earned. He also
said Misfits intends to launch an MMA show with him as a leading
figure.

“Misfits came with an absolutely crazy deal, which means I’ve
continued to grow and get better financially,†Page told Ariel
Helwani. “They have vision for the future. They're trying to get an
MMA show going, with me kind of lead that way, be the face of that…
I’ve left the UFC and I’m making more money. Like two times more,
maybe just over, and in a shorter period. In a three-fight deal,
I’ll make more than I have my whole UFC contract.â€

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Ismael Bonfim removed from UFC roster after gigantic weight miss

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Ismael Bonfim removed from UFC roster after gigantic weight miss
Ismael
Bonfim has been removed from the
Ultimate Fighting Championship roster.

Bonfim's UFC tenure ended after a loss to Francisco
Prado at
UFC Vegas 122 on Saturday. The Brazilian missed the non-title
lightweight limit by 7.5 pounds and forfeited 25% of his purse. He
then suffered a first-round technical knockout before being removed
from the roster.

Ismael Bonfim exits UFC with 2-5 record after third weight miss
and Francisco Prado TKO

This was Bonfim's third weight miss during his UFC tenure. He came
in 3.5 pounds overweight for a scheduled fight against Vinc Pichel
in 2023, prompting the bout's cancellation. Bonfim missed weight by
five pounds against Chris
Padilla last year and lost by knockout. He was finished in his
last four UFC appearances.

Before news of his departure, Bonfim posted a statement Sunday
reflecting on the loss. The 30-year-old thanked his supporters and
said his career was not over.

“Always grateful to God for life, health and every opportunity He
gives me,†Bonfim wrote on Instagram. “Everything doesn’t go as
planned, results don’t always come as desired, but my faith remains
unshakable. Because, above my plans, are God’s plans, and I choose
to trust, even when I don’t understand. Thank you to every person
cheering me on, praying for me and standing by my side no matter
the outcome. You are all part of my story! There are no excuses, no
shame, and much less reason to give up. We’ve come here the hardest
way, facing battles few know about, overcoming fears, breaking
barriers, and fighting against things that go far beyond what
happens inside an octagon. The result of a battle does not define
the value of a warrior, and defeat will never be able to erase the
entire history we have built. I keep my head held high, my heart at
peace and my faith even stronger. Because who knows where he came
from, everything he faced and how much he had to fight to get here,
doesn’t give up because of a result. My story doesn’t end here. God
is still writing the next chapters, and I trust Him completely. All
honor and all glory be given to God!â€

Bonfim earned a UFC contract on
Dana White's Contender Series in 2022 and won his promotional
debut with a flying knee knockout of Terrance
McKinney. He went 1-5 afterward, finishing his UFC tenure at
2-5.

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MMA

Niko Price looks to the future ahead of his supposed retirement fight win

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Niko Price looks to the future ahead of his supposed retirement fight win

Niko Price has discussed his mixed martial arts retirement and what the future could hold after his win over Leon Shahbazyan.

Heading into last weekend, Niko Price was riding a four-fight losing streak. With this being billed as the final fight in his mixed martial arts career, many hoped that he would be able to pull one out of the bag before riding off into the sunset.

RELATED: Niko Price surprisingly set for retirement reversal at UFC Vegas 122

In the end, that's exactly what he did as Niko Price secured a TKO victory, which was the first time he has finished an opponent since defeating James Vick via upkick in October 2019.

After the bout, Niko Price took the time to both reflect on what has been and look ahead to what could be to come.

Niko Price looks ahead to the future

“He was like, ‘Hey, do you want an actual retirement fight?’†Price told MMA Junkie and other reporters at a post-fight news conference Saturday after UFC Fight Night 290. “(I was like) ‘Yeah, why not?' Of course I'll take another paycheck to go fight someone. It's a lot easier fighting people than it is to rip down houses and landscaping. I know that.â€

“It means so much just to know the career wasn't a waste,†Price said. “They saw that I really put my blood, sweat, and tears into this and everything I have. I sacrificed time with the family. But it was all great and worth it.â€

In terms of the future, Niko had the following to say.

“I'm a prizefighter,†Price said. “I fight. But it has to be agreed upon with my family. My management is my family. As long as we all decide together, we'll jump into the pit together and we'll do it. … Maybe combat, maybe punching, but hit me up for some UFC BJJ. I'll come grapple anybody.â€

Quotes via MMA Junkie

Do you expect to see Price compete again? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, BJPENN Nation!

This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM


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