Not so hot take: Tom will dominate and Alex will take his time moving up, asking for another defense @ LHW before his last dance

[Rubios]

Pretty much what the title says.
Alex will go after the 3rd belt -it's a superfight, the opportunity alone makes it historic- but Poatan and his team know their chances are pretty low against Tom.
So rack an "easy" (as easy as a fight vs the #3 ranked guy -Ulberg- at 38 could be) defense, sweep the division and then bulk properly for HW.

If Gane does the upset, of course, he should sign the contract to fight him the next day.

 

[WoozyFailGuy]

If Gane does the upset, of course, he should sign the contract to fight him the next day.

I believe that's what Poatan is waiting for, he's probably already mapped out some flaws in Gane's lackadaisical striking, but Tom is a damn bulldozer.

 

[Diggie]

Nah. He wants the Jones fight at the White House. I highly doubt he ever fights at LHW again.

 

[MMAFanCal]

Poatan cannot beat Aspinall even in his sleep so yeah, he is not going to fight Aspinall. The speed, size, strength and explosive power difference is on a different planet.

Also, I agree Aspinall bulldozes Gane this weekend.

 

[Rubios]

Nah. He wants the Jones fight at the White House. I highly doubt he ever fights at LHW again.

This is just my opinion, but I think you’ll probably agree if you stop and think about it for a moment.
I’m not discrediting your prediction, not at all, but have you really considered the current scenario?

The fight against Jones made a lot of sense before he lost his brother. Even so, IMHO, it should never take priority over trying to win a third belt.
The mere fact that such an opportunity exists already makes that fight historic and unprecedented: a massively lucrative superfight. Maybe not as much as against JJ, sure, but the reward is far greater: the only triple champion ever.

Now, if Jones is able and willing to fight next year (and that’s a big IF) he’s the only one who stands to gain anything: retiring with a win dedicated to his brother.
If Alex wins, we’ll never know what Jones’ mental and emotional state was leading up to the fight. Would he be the only man to ever beat JJ? Y... yes, but that victory would come with a huge asterisk.

 

[Arm Barbarian]

Fair assessment.

Alex could definitely hang in the standup with Tom, but I don't know he could handle him anywhere beyond that. Aspinall is strong AF with a pretty good ground game. Alex has shown a decent TDD in recent times, but I have a feeling he might not be strong enough vs these natural HWs with even decent wrestling.

But I do feel his technique and striking will still carry KO power at HW if someone can't get him down.

 

[markg171]

In the mean time Tom will just sit on his ass right?

Imagine hating on Alex for being... checks notes... the more active fighter?

 

[Rubios]

In the mean time Tom will just sit on his ass right?

Imagine hating on Alex for being... checks notes... the more active fighter?

Yeah, I’ve thought about that too. But look at the division: Tom has already beaten everyone in the top 5.
The only potential contender that could emerge is Jailton, if he beats Volkov. And the UFC definitely doesn’t want Jailton as champion.

Tom can wait, there’s no real challenger knocking at the door, as long as the UFC pays him accordingly for a fight against Alex.

 

[jeff7b9]

Alex.could be waiting to see if Gane wins.

I agree Alex and his team probably know Tom is a VERY tall order for him.


Gane is no walk in the park either, but going from MW to LHW to HW it should be expected to be difficult task

Gane is as good a shot as Poatan could ask for.

Striker
Not a ton of KO power relatively speaking
Very weak ground game (relative to championship level)

If Tom wins, I suspect Alex and Jon to campaign to fight eachother at the WhiteHouse.

If Gane wins, I suspect Alex to possibly try his luck for a 3rd belt

 

[mkess101]

In the mean time Tom will just sit on his ass right?

Imagine hating on Alex for being... checks notes... the more active fighter?

Only you could take this as "hating on Alex". He's literally saying Alex isn't a moron and is gonna map out his final few fights in MMA carefully. As he damn well should. Numerous factors involved: winning a 3rd title, $, how he might feel he stacks up against specific opponents.

Get a grip Marky, your panties absolutely don't need to be in a bunch over this.

 

[TheDon555]

This is just my opinion, but I think you’ll probably agree if you stop and think about it for a moment.
I’m not discrediting your prediction, not at all, but have you really considered the current scenario?

The fight against Jones made a lot of sense before he lost his brother. Even so, IMHO, it should never take priority over trying to win a third belt.
The mere fact that such an opportunity exists already makes that fight historic and unprecedented: a massively lucrative superfight. Maybe not as much as against JJ, sure, but the reward is far greater: the only triple champion ever.

Now, if Jones is able and willing to fight next year (and that’s a big IF) he’s the only one who stands to gain anything: retiring with a win dedicated to his brother.
If Alex wins, we’ll never know what Jones’ mental and emotional state was leading up to the fight. Would he be the only man to ever beat JJ? Y... yes, but that victory would come with a huge asterisk.

Nah this is totally off. Alex has everything to gain by beating Jones, he could literally say he is the ONLY fighter to hand the GOAT a real legitimate loss and if he won he could still fight for the heavyweight title right after. Its a no brainer he go for the Jones fight

 

[thekiddak]

I like tom but the sack swinging on here is a bit much. To say he rolls Alex and Jones with no problem at all is kinda dicey. I think both have a legitimate shot at beating him. He’s not the greatest fighter ever and he’s def hittable

 

[markg171]

Yeah, I’ve thought about that too. But look at the division: Tom has already beaten everyone in the top 5.
The only potential contender that could emerge is Jailton, if he beats Volkov. And the UFC definitely doesn’t want Jailton as champion.

Tom can wait, there’s no real challenger knocking at the door, as long as the UFC pays him accordingly for a fight against Alex.

Sounds like Tom is the one who needs more time to prepare for Pereira then and not the other way around.

 

[markg171]

Only you could take this as "hating on Alex". He's literally saying Alex isn't a moron and is gonna map out his final few fights in MMA carefully. As he damn well should. Numerous factors involved: winning a 3rd title, $, how he might feel he stacks up against specific opponents.

Get a grip Marky, your panties absolutely don't need to be in a bunch over this.

Only you could be dumb enough to think that Pereira fighting somebody else before Tom, who does nothing else by contrast and simply waits and prepares for Pereira, would be ideal. It needlessly risks a loss to Ulberg, gives him less time to bulk to HW, less time to prepare for Tom specifically, and gives him more mileage.

Tom meanwhile gets none of those limitations from simply waiting on his ass for Pereira. It's the Islam play all over again of making everybody else fight while you sit back.

Like Pereira is capable of doing back to Tom. Why is Tom the only one who gets to prepare seriously? Why does Pereira have to defend but Tom doesn't? Pereira's the one who's actually defended his belt multiple times while Tom would only be at 1 if he gets by Gane. If anybody's entitled to the break it's him not Tom.

The only reason it's remotely being suggested is because Pereira isn't Tom and actually would and could defend in the meantime, possibly even 2x before July, while Tom would be perfectly content sitting around making YouTube food blogs until July instead of defending.

If the White House even remotely wants the idea of a British fighter headlining their 250th anniversary from Britain.

 

[mkess101]

Only you could be dumb enough to think that Pereira fighting somebody else before Tom, who does nothing else by contrast and simply waits and prepares for Pereira, would be ideal. It needlessly risks a loss to Ulberg, gives him less time to bulk to HW, less time to prepare for Tom specifically, and gives him more mileage.

Tom meanwhile gets none of those limitations from simply waiting on his ass for Pereira. It's the Islam play all over again of making everybody else fight while you sit back.

Like Pereira is capable of doing back to Tom. Why is Tom the only one who gets to prepare seriously? Why does Pereira have to defend but Tom doesn't? Pereira's the one who's actually defended his belt multiple times while Tom would only be at 1 if he gets by Gane. If anybody's entitled to the break it's him not Tom.

The only reason it's remotely being suggested is because Pereira isn't Tom and actually would and could defend in the meantime, possibly even 2x before July, while Tom would be perfectly content sitting around making YouTube food blogs until July instead of defending.

If the White House even remotely wants the idea of a British fighter headlining their 250th anniversary from Britain.

You absolute moron. You seriously cannot read, and think that Tom is somehow to blame for Jones and the UFC dragging the last year+ out. If Tom beats Gane, he could fight winner of Almeida/Volkov and Pereira could fight Ulberg and then move up and fight whoever the HW champ is.

You're a pathetic weasel that views everything as "OMG Aspinall is getting special treatment!" Get a fucking life, clown.

 

[jeskola]

Pretty much what the title says.
Alex will go after the 3rd belt -it's a superfight, the opportunity alone makes it historic- but Poatan and his team know their chances are pretty low against Tom.
So rack an "easy" (as easy as a fight vs the #3 ranked guy -Ulberg- at 38 could be) defense, sweep the division and then bulk properly for HW.

If Gane does the upset, of course, he should sign the contract to fight him the next day.

Alex has made his intentions clear, and they have nothing to do with defending his LHW belt (which should be vacated immediately) or chasing after the HW strap. He wants a superfight for a big payday (there is only one, so that means he wants Jon Jones), then to move to Boxing.

 

[Nobru]

Tom would be the favorite against Alex, absolutely, but i dont see it as easy as some

I havent seen fully bulked alex in action but i can still imagine what happens if he lands.

 

[markg171]

You absolute moron. You seriously cannot read, and think that Tom is somehow to blame for Jones and the UFC dragging the last year+ out. If Tom beats Gane, he could fight winner of Almeida/Volkov and Pereira could fight Ulberg and then move up and fight whoever the HW champ is.

You're a pathetic weasel that views everything as "OMG Aspinall is getting special treatment!" Get a fucking life, clown.

Imagine saying somebody else can't read and then suggesting something that's the complete opposite of what the thread's even about.

THE THREAD IS LITERALLY SUGGESTING TOM DOESN'T DEFEND IN THE MEANTIME CORN NUTS

Go start your own thread suggesting BOTH Pereira and Tom defend and then the winners fight at the WH event. If the WH even wants a Brit headlining their 250th anniversary of indepedence from Britain.

Fucking hell it's like dealing with kindergarteners with Tom "fans".

 

[Mmmmmmma1234]

Alex really gains nothing from another LHW defense.
And am I crazy or does TS make this thread every week, about how smart an easy LHW defense is for Alex?
Alex is after Jones or probably setting for Tom at this point.

 

[mkess101]

Imagine saying somebody else can't read and then suggesting something that's the complete opposite of what the thread's even about.

THE THREAD IS LITERALLY SUGGESTING TOM DOESN'T DEFEND IN THE MEANTIME CORN NUTS

Go start your own thread suggesting BOTH Pereira and Tom defend and then the winners fight at the WH event. If the WH even wants a Brit headlining their 250th anniversary of indepedence from Britain.

Fucking hell it's like dealing with kindergarteners with Tom "fans".

Holy shit you cannot be this stupid.

Please recite the specific part of the OP that says Tom doesn't defend. Go ahead, idiot. State where he says Tom should sit around waiting if Poatan took another fight at LHW.

There are some dumb motherfuckers here but you somehow stand out even among them.