Jon
Jones has taken several digs at Tom
Aspinall after the Brit vacated the
Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight title.
Aspinall hasn't fought since his first title defense against
Ciryl
Gane ended in a no-contest after he suffered eye pokes to both
eyes in the first round. He vacated the belt of his own accord,
without any pressure from the UFC, and claimed he didn't want to
stall the division amid ongoing complications with his right eye.
Jones, however, has a different view of Aspinall's decision.
Jon Jones backs criticism of Tom Aspinall after the former UFC
heavyweight champion vacates his title
An X user recently speculated that Aspinall chose to vacate the
title because of how the first round of his clash with Gane played
out. The user claims Aspinall doesn't fancy his chances in a
rematch with the Frenchman, who currently holds the interim title.
Jones agreed with the user.
“My sentiments exactly,†Jones wrote on X.
Another X user opined that Aspinall was undeserving of the
undisputed heavyweight title to begin with, which also drew a
response from the former two-division champ.
“Ouch,†Jones commented in response to an X user taking a shot at
Aspinall's champion status.
The same X account also noted that Jones was fouled by Gane in
their heavyweight title fight but made quick work of “Bon Gaminâ€
soon after, unlike Aspinall.
“Dude you are on fire,†Jones posted after the X user brought up
his fight with Gane.
Jose Aldo set for October 4th fighting return vs. former UFC title challenger
ONE Championship
Klarob NuiCafeboran meets Sornsueknoi FA Group in a flyweight Muay Thai main event at ONE Friday Fights 171, streaming live from Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, this Friday, September 18. Both men sit within reach of the US$100,000 contract that changes careers on the weekly platform.
Klarob, 26, represents PK Saenchai Muaythaigym and brings a two-fight winning streak into the bout. He outpointed Omar El Halabi and knocked out Babak Haghi in his two most recent outings. Sornsueknoi, 31, has one of the more compelling journeys on the roster. He fell in love with the sport at 10 years old before stepping away during the pandemic and returning in late 2024 to rebuild his case for the same deal Klarob is chasing. He most notably stopped Nuapet Torfunfarm via TKO along the way.
With momentum behind both men heading into Friday night, the flyweight main event carries the kind of stakes that tend to produce fireworks on this platform.
Petsuphan and Mahar Thway headline co-main event of ONE Friday Fights 171
The co-main event pairs undefeated Petsuphan Lookmuangpet against Myanmar's Mahar Thway in a strawweight Muay Thai clash marking Thway's promotional debut. Petsuphan has yet to taste defeat. He improved to 2-0 with a second-round TKO of Petsamart Muangphaphum after a unanimous decision win over Rawee Puanpratuphee. Thway brings a perfect 10-0 record and a Lethwei background that promises an unpredictable, stance-switching style.
Seven additional bouts round out the nine-fight card spanning Muay Thai, kickboxing, and MMA. This gives fight week in Bangkok no shortage of contenders looking to punch their own ticket to the main roster.
NSAC doubles down on punishment for UFC 329 fighters, fines Paddy Pimblett and two other big names
Credit: Zuffa LLC
UFC legend Nate Diaz showed uncharacteristic support for Conor McGregor after the former two-division champ's failed comeback.
Conor McGregor's UFC 329 comeback against Max Holloway lasted just a couple of minutes earlier this year. After opening up the fight with a flying kick that missed the mark, McGregor landed awkwardly on his right leg and is expected to miss another year of competition.
It was a disappointing end to McGregor's latest MMA chapter after five years away from the Octagon entering UFC 329. Before Max Holloway was booked for McGregor's comeback fight, two-time foe Nate Diaz was rumored to be the top candidate for McGregor's return.
After the McGregor trilogy didn't come to fruition, Diaz opted to fight Mike Perry at Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano, losing by TKO. Diaz's MMA future remains uncertain, although he's in the mix to fight Jake Paul in an MMA rematch.
Despite Diaz and McGregor's tense past, Diaz wasn't happy to see his former foe's latest setback at UFC 329.
In a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Diaz was asked about McGregor's future and the possibility of a trilogy.
“Conor is a f—–, but Conor is a fighter,†Diaz said.
“He's someone you want to see. I'm not trying to kill him off. I'm not trying to be killed off by a guy trying to make a comeback. I'm trying to fight a big fight to move up in the fight program. I feel bad for him. I hope he does good. Positive vibes for the comeback.
“I'll start whooping a– and doing good, and then I'm going to whoop his ass.â€
McGregor envisions a return to the Octagon in Summer 2027, although that's a tentative plan for the superstar's comeback. Meanwhile, Diaz could still potentially return to the UFC if the trilogy with McGregor is offered.
Will a Conor McGregor vs. Nate Diaz trilogy happen? Share your thoughts in the comments!
MMA Fighting has DWCS results for the Hunt vs. Perea fight card and more from the Meta APEX in Las Vegas, Nev., on Tuesday night.
In the main event, Zevan Hunt and Mayton Perea clash in a welterweight contest. Hunt has yet to lose in seven professional fights, including three straight finishes, while Perea has reeled off three straight knockout victories.
Oscar Ravello and Igor Calvacanti meet in a middleweight contest in the co-main event. Ravello and Calvacanti have both won five of their past six fights.
Check out the DWCS results below.
Main card (Paramount+ at 7 p.m. ET)
Mayton Perea def. Zevan Hunt via TKO (punches) at 45 seconds, R1
Igor Cavalcanti def. Oscar Ravello via TKO (strikes) at 1:38, R1
Akbar Abdullaev def. Ednilson Santos via knockout (punch) at 19 seconds, R1
Luis Hernandez def. Hugo Guillon via submission (rear-naked choke) at 1:01, R2
Tyshawn Williams def. Antonio Monteiro via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-27, 29-27)
Note: In season 10 of Dana White Contender's Series, there have been 24 total UFC contracts handed out, including four during last week's Week 5 show.