It seems the fight was yesterday, in a closed, more provate event/setting. I think it was part of the negotiations. And it will be broadcast later it seems. But it seems like it was as close as it could be. Like, from what I could gather, Tom almost KO'd JJ in round 1, as he surprised JJ with a set up and had him on the ropes, and landed a knee that hit JJ's ribs. In MMA media, it was noticed JJ's corner was saying for him to move and get his rythm... JJ managed to tough it with his well known toughness and get effective jabs until he could clinch and did so long enough to wear the storm while landing knees to the thights. tho Tom was throwing hands in the clinch too. JJ got a late round 1 takedown. But Tom managed to get up and get JJ's back as bloody elbow reported as some analysts there mentioned, like Bisping, showing Tom's wrestling is very high level. Though JJ managed to escape with high level grappling and finish on top but didn't do more other than it. Seemed a decisive round 1 for Tom. Some ppl on Reddit report that they thought JJ would fall after a knee Tom landed on his ribs but he actually circled the octagon and kept calm working on long range jabs.
Round 2, JJ picked the pace, and eventually got a takedown [guardian]. But Tom showed good defense and prevented meaningful shots, threatening JJ sometimes with jiujitsu, but JJ got that one on grappling edge though he didn't damage much.
Round 3 it's said that felt even, with Aspinall dangerous in the feet, and having more volume. But since his stamina was dropping a little quicker, JJ controlled the range way better and also picked his shots with front kicks and his famous knee kicks that hit Tom's knee well enough at one point that Tom's leg was pretty hurt, though he still managed to close quick enough and land a one two that rocked JJ a good deal, but JJ hit back with a timed spinning elbow, tho Tom defended mostly . It was a good round but Tom got more done by the reports and was 2-1
Round 4 it's described as Aspinall being more fatigued and JJ being likely 2-1 and then rushing more to pressure. It's noticed Tom tried to rush once but JJ had a glazing elbow thriwn vertically that drew enough a reaction that JJ had time to secure a takedown. And then, in the final minutes, in MMA media it is reported jones landed vicious elbows, almost getting the round stopped as Herb Dean was checking close (some fans on Reddit said that). So it was a dominant round for JJ apparently (as been reported some places), lile the first round was very Tom only with him almost finishing JJ before JJ could jab quick enough to get a clinch and then even chain wrestle chain, with clinches, to recover and drain Aspinall.
Tom managed to survive the 4th round. The Bloody_Eobow noticed that specialists there were talking about how it remembered the Gus 1 fight but in this one both seemed more hurt and the fact it was a closer peace, just the sound of the shots was uncomfortable and could be heard.
The last round is left ambiguous. The fight was 2-2 and it seems there was not revealed stuff there. Some say JJ managed to keep standing well enough as Aspinall was hurt but so was JJ I guess, and both needed the 5th round. It seems like both pushed on the gas pedal but JJ managed to get another takedown and it finished (no further specifications on the sites). Either in a decision, a hard won, or maybe as some also say, JJ got a late 5th round finish similar to Gus 2 as Aspinall turned his back and JJ started to punch punch until it got stopped. Other day he finished by choke and that Aspinall felt unconscious as he didn't tap. Some comments point at a controversy tho, as in, arguing who won such round, so maybe round 5 was even still, and JJ got slightly ahead but it was close. Still, it seems there are more poste saying round 5 TKO but some say it was a round Aspinall seemed to be winning as he had an impact moment he managed to feint well enough to wobble JJ, but JJ in a high pressure instance seemed to feint a takedown and land a hard overhand and secure a takedown and late finish or split decision. Anyways I think it was a close fight with Tom starting way better , JJ managing to adjust and get the same level and taking control in the later rounds... As some fans were also saying that it was like vs Reyes, so.....
I think before the fight Khabib recorded a video in which he said that "two extreme high level fighters will be fighting, and people need to pay attention. It can end quickly or it can be a tough grueling fight. In one side, we have one of the greatest ever, who competed with a lot of willpower, top MMA knowledge and fought with as much heart as anyone could, the other side has a very talented , dangerous and very challenging younger fight. That fight no matter if he wins or not, he is a legend". After the fight, Khabib posted a picture of Muhammad Ali... Idk, I guess comparing him to JJ.
But it can't be said yet. But it seems it happened already.
Well wait and see
