News Aspinall to be back up for Jones/Stipe in November

[Morning Star]

Tom being backup probably won't matter. Jones would puss out like he did when he refused to fight Chael who had zero advantages over Jon. Stipe likely would do the same, he already said he wants nobody but Jon. Probably would just be Tom fighting another short notice replacement.

 

[tornado362]

Doesn’t matter, Jon doesn’t take short notice fights.

 

[Jin Akutsu]

Jones won't take the fight, so this would only be for Stipe if Jon pulls out.

 

[Corrado Soprano]

Jon Jones in his prime wouldn’t fight Chael Sonnen on short notice. You think he’s fighting Tom? Also Aspinall vs Stipe is as close to sanctioned murder as you’re going to get.

 

[Bookerman]

Yeah no way Jones fights him like that, I doubt Stipe will either tbh

 

[World eater]

I honestly wouldn't fault any champion for denying a last minute change in opponents. It's your fucking title on the line and you're suppose to spend 12 weeks studying and preparing for a certain opponent and then all of a sudden it's not him? That's craziness to me.

What is the point of the back-up then? Prepare for him as well. Man, these modern champs who fight once a year with “proper camps” is what’s wrong with modern high level mma. Then a guy like Poatan comes along and everyone goes bananas because a guy actually wants to fight 3-4 times.

 

[g*r*b]

If Miocic pulls out Jon will just choose not to fight.

Exactly like Stipe did last November.

Stipe did not refuse to fight, the UFC refused to offer him the fight. Both Stipe and Dana confirmed that, and as they're not buddy-buddy enough to be in cahoots on a lie I believe it.

 

[FreedomCricket]

So contract should make clear:
1. TOM is the backup fighter for either fighter.
2. Jones pulls out for any reason, stripped of HW belt.
3. Winner fights Tom to unify heavyweight belt, has 45 days to accept unifying fight (which can be up to 5 months after the 45 days) or be stripped and Tom fights someone else for undisputed belt.

 

[Poirierfan]

Well duh no surprise here. I low key hope stipe pulls out so we get Jones vs tom

I believe nick picking Jones would cancel the fight all together if Stipe couldn't make it.

 

[blaseblase]

Completely meaningless, they are trolling us at this point. Neither Jones nor Stipe is accepting this fight. Lol they better add Volkov as the backup opponent.

 

[Sticko]

You can't see how trying to prep for 2 different fighters, their strengths, weaknesses, etc, might be a little more problematic than one?

That is obtuse as hell, whether it's Jones or anyone else.

You know what else is problematic? Trying to run a business promoting fights and having one of your headliners drop out at the last minute.

I don't know why the UFC would even ask Tom to be the backup unless they have it in writing that both Stipe and Jon agree to face him in the event someone pulls out. Otherwise it's a waste of everyone's time, especially Tom's.

 

[TrueBias]

Yeah, we knew this early yesterday.

 

[Tweak896]

I'm genuinely curious what Jones says after Stipe fight. I feel like his ego won't let him walk off and retire with Aspinall being hyped up right now, but also I feel like Jones logical side realizes he's done with the sport and mileage on his body.

 

[Captain Herb]

I’ll be shocked if Jones were to accept, he wouldn’t fight Chael Sonnen on short notice

In hindsight that was probably a good move for Jones as Chael almost snapped his toe off and handed him a tko injury loss. Id hate to think what Chael would have done if Jones didn't have time to prepare for him

 

[Kyojiro Kagenuma]

Well duh no surprise here. I low key hope stipe pulls out so we get Jones vs tom

What a disgrace.

 

[Fact Checker]

I don’t think there’s every been a fight where the fans want a fighter to pull out of a fight as much as this one.


Stipe should just hang them up and move on already or just step aside, enough unwarranted title shots for him.

Jones vs Aspinall

Maybe Stipe vs Poatan for his first HW fight and Number 1 contender spot if he wants to stick around

 

[Clark Rogers]

You know what else is problematic? Trying to run a business promoting fights and having one of your headliners drop out at the last minute.

I don't know why the UFC would even ask Tom to be the backup unless they have it in writing that both Stipe and Jon agree to face him in the event someone pulls out. Otherwise it's a waste of everyone's time, especially Tom's.

I didn't say that wasn't problematic, it obviously is.

That still wouldn't make preparing for 2 very different guys in the same time span any easier, lol.

I don't mind the backup plans, I just think "you've got 12 weeks to now do double prep, what is the problem? " is vastly oversimplified.

 

[Dr Fong]

If anybody actually believes Jones would take the fight if Stipe breaks a hip, I have a bridge to sell you.

Of course he won't.

But it would still be good if Stipe pulls out because then Jones will be forced to duck directly, removing what little credibility there is left of his fake belt and HW 'legacy'.

Or if Jones who pulls out, then Aspinall can send the old man to the home instead, again leaving Jones nowhere to run.

 

[DomiDomi]

Well duh no surprise here. I low key hope stipe pulls out so we get Jones vs tom

Jones wouldn't even fight Chael Sonnen on short notice so I doubt he's going to be thrilled about Tom subbing in for Stipe.

It only makes sense to make Aspinall back up, if Jones/Stipe both sign a contract agreeing that they will fight Aspinall should one of Jones/Stipe pull out.

Otherwise Aspinall is waiting around, Stipe pulls out, Jones goes running, and Aspinall is left with no opponent.

 

[The XL]

Stipe would fight Tom if Jon dropped out. Jon isn't fighting Tom no matter what