So Aspinall's Undisputed Now? Let's Talk Reality in the HW Division.

[markys00]

OK, Sherdoggers, Jon Jones has officially retired, and our new "undisputed" UFC Heavyweight Champion is Tom Aspinall. The online community is absolutely losing their minds, acting like this is some kind of cosmic justice because bones supposedly "ducked" him for years.

And honestly, while it's come as a surprise , I think some of you need a serious reality check before you go crowning Aspinall the greatest thing since sliced bread.

Here's a little perspective for those blinded by the hype:

Let's cut through the noise about Jones "ducking" Aspinall. While everyone was clamoring for that fight, let's look at the actual facts regarding recent activity for a champion. Jon Jones, the man who just vacated the undisputed heavyweight belt, defended his HW title against Stipe Miocic in November 2024 at UFC 309.

Meanwhile, Tom Aspinall's last outing was his interim title defense against Curtis Blaydes in July 2024 at UFC 304. So, if you're talking about who was more recently active as a heavyweight champion (interim or undisputed), it was Jones. Plain and simple. Jones had a commitment to Miocic, a legendary heavyweight in his own right, and he honored it. Period.

Now, Aspinall is out there proclaiming he's going to be this super active champion, and you worms are eating it up like candy. And sure, it sounds great on paper. Everyone wants an active champ.

But let's be real: the heavyweight division isn't a cakewalk, one well timed punch and your title reign is done. Injuries are a constant threat. Jon Jones, the GOAT, meticulously planned his career and his fights for longevity and dominance. To expect Aspinall to suddenly be fighting every few months in this division after a relatively short career is, frankly, naive.

By putting Aspinall on this massive pedestal right now, and hyping up this "Jones ducked him" narrative, many of you are essentially setting him up for failure. When (not if) he eventually has to take time off due to injury, or if he can't fight as frequently as he's promising, will you all still be cheering? Or will the same crowd calling him the savior of the division turn on him for not living up to an unrealistic standard you helped create?

Look, Aspinall is clearly a good fighter, but let's not rewrite history or project some kind of flawless, ultra-active reign onto him just because Jon Jones retired. Jones cemented his legacy, defended against a legend, and exited on his own terms. Aspinall now has the real belt, and the real pressure.

My advice? Enjoy the moment, but maybe hold off on the hype talk and the unrealistic expectations for the kid. The big boys of heavyweight division have a way of humbling even the best intentions - there's a reason that belt doesn't stay with the holders for many defences typically.

Serious question. Do people like you know they're retarded?

 

[Takes Two To Tango]

I don't think anyone is undisputed until there is a winner for the vacant HW belt. So I see Aspinall and Gane fighting for that belt. So let's see how it unfolds.

 

[haj02]

Serious question. Do people like you know they're retarded?

Oh another R bomb, do you know that's ableist and hate speech?

 

[Steve Fox]

Nemkov slow ?

Compared to Tom? Yes.

 

[Ludwig von Mises]

Compared to Tom? Yes.

 

[mkess101]

Nemkov isn't slow at all in a general sense (he's relatively fast for a HW) but are saying you think he's as fast and moves as well as Aspinall?

 

[Tweak896]

Hope that Texeira wins a couple more I guess. From what I've seen he's not nearly ready enough for even being in the cage with Aspinall, but it's more interesting than seeing Tom decapitate the same guy's over and over.

Yeah him or Waldo Costa are the only "prospects". Hope we get more.

 

[mkess101]

Yeah him or Waldo Costa are the only "prospects". Hope we get more.

Seeing Waldo recently vs Spivac...yeah, no. Waldo vs Aspinall..."Where's Waldo?" Being woken up and told what happened about 90 seconds after the opening bell, that's where.

 

[Tweak896]

Seeing Waldo recently vs Spivac...yeah, no. Waldo vs Aspinall..."Where's Waldo?" Being woken up and told what happened about 90 seconds after the opening bell, that's where.

Yeah, I want to see Aspinall punch through the division like I thought Ngannou was going to do. After he beats the last 2 fighters he hasn't fought, then it's just can smashing. There's a time where UFC throws up randoms to fight the champ when it's out of options. Would be fun to see Tom just expose how easy it is.

 

[mkess101]

Yeah, I want to see Aspinall punch through the division like I thought Ngannou was going to do. After he beats the last 2 fighters he hasn't fought, then it's just can smashing. There's a time where UFC throws up randoms to fight the champ when it's out of options. Would be fun to see Tom just expose how easy it is.

Almeida is the one I'm interested in most. How does Tom deal with a guy who has zero desire to stand with him at all and will just relentlessly hunt TD's? It's the one thing we haven't seen. Gane in theory is interesting if Aspinall chooses to stand because obviously Gane has skills. But he has below average power at HW which makes it unlikely he doesn't at some point get put away by Tom. And that's if Tom doesn't choose to just take him down and work.

After that, it's hoping someone comes along.

 

[Only Here for Attachments]

People here get bored of dominant champions very quickly. Mighty Mouse, Valentina, Nunes, Anderson, you name 'em. Is it really going to be any different with Tom?

 

[Tweak896]

Almeida is the one I'm interested in most. How does Tom deal with a guy who has zero desire to stand with him at all and will just relentlessly hunt TD's? It's the one thing we haven't seen. Gane in theory is interesting if Aspinall chooses to stand because obviously Gane has skills. But he has below average power at HW which makes it unlikely he doesn't at some point get put away by Tom. And that's if Tom doesn't choose to just take him down and work.

After that, it's hoping someone comes along.

I mean Tom has taken down 3 people in UFC: Volkov, Arlovski, and Baudot (who?). I actually think Gane has better TD than those, so it might be more competitive than people think. Aspinall is definitely shooting 100%.

But yeah Gane is a test for Aspinall's takedowns, and Almeida is a test for his TDD. Gane would test him standing if he's able to defend.

UFC better start digging deep for HWs to sign, because these fights are about all that's left at HW. Which is such a cursed division, I wouldn't be shocked if Aspinall ends up only fighting 1x a year now, because that's whats happened to every champ really.

 

[mkess101]

I mean Tom has taken down 3 people in UFC: Volkov, Arlovski, and Baudot (who?). I actually think Gane has better TD than those, so it might be more competitive than people think. Aspinall is definitely shooting 100%.

But yeah Gane is a test for Aspinall's takedowns, and Almeida is a test for his TDD. Gane would test him standing if he's able to defend.

UFC better start digging deep for HWs to sign, because these fights are about all that's left at HW. Which is such a cursed division, I wouldn't be shocked if Aspinall ends up only fighting 1x a year now, because that's whats happened to every champ really.

Gane's grappling deficiencies seem to have been exposed. Not just Jones easily taking him down and subbing him. Not just Volkov outgrappling him (yes Gane was injured). But also a hobbled Ngannou who had never shown amazing wrestling just ragdolling him. The totality of those 3 fights tells me enough. I don’t think he can deal with Aspinall. The way Aspinall ran through Volkov with grappling...just don't see how it would be any different with Gane if Tom chose that route.

 

[Tweak896]

Gane's grappling deficiencies seem to have been exposed. Not just Jones easily taking him down and subbing him. Not just Volkov outgrappling him (yes Gane was injured). But also a hobbled Ngannou who had never shown amazing wrestling just ragdolling him. The totality of those 3 fights tells me enough. I don’t think he can deal with Aspinall. The way Aspinall ran through Volkov with grappling...just don't see how it would be any different with Gane if Tom chose that route.

I mean Gane when he was healthy stood with Volkov and still went 50/50 while injured you have to also consider his injury was so bad he's been out ever since.

Jones took down DC, enough said. I would expect Jones to take down most HWs.

Ngannou fight, yes it looks bad, but Ngannou never took anyone down before as far as I remember and Gane probably didn't drill for that fight. So there was an element of surprise, where Gane expected Ngannou to stand. Reminds me of Gus taking down Jones, but with worse fighters. Not to mention Ngannou leveled up his wrestling enough to stop Stipe's takedowns.


That was alot of excuses for Gane, I know, sorry. However every one of his opponents have known he was a french kickboxer and he's been able to keep it standing for most of his career. He's also proven to go 5 rounds. I don't think he has great TDD, but with his movement and what he does have makes it harder than most to take him down.

I dunno, I just don't think a breeze blows and he falls down like Lewis. It could be enough to keep Aspinall off of him, who hasn't really had proven wrestling himself. Gane is a choke artist though, would hard to bet he doesn't blow his big opportunity for the belt one way or the other.

 

[KO Shotz]

Aspinall been the real champ of that division.

Gane & Almeida are in the title mix. Teixeira will be in the mix as well if he beats the black beast.

 

[mkess101]

I mean Gane when he was healthy stood with Volkov and still went 50/50 while injured you have to also consider his injury was so bad he's been out ever since.

Jones took down DC, enough said. I would expect Jones to take down most HWs.

Ngannou fight, yes it looks bad, but Ngannou never took anyone down before as far as I remember and Gane probably didn't drill for that fight. So there was an element of surprise, where Gane expected Ngannou to stand. Reminds me of Gus taking down Jones, but with worse fighters. Not to mention Ngannou leveled up his wrestling enough to stop Stipe's takedowns.


That was alot of excuses for Gane, I know, sorry. However every one of his opponents have known he was a french kickboxer and he's been able to keep it standing for most of his career. He's also proven to go 5 rounds. I don't think he has great TDD, but with his movement and what he does have makes it harder than most to take him down.

I dunno, I just don't think a breeze blows and he falls down like Lewis. It could be enough to keep Aspinall off of him, who hasn't really had proven wrestling himself. Gane is a choke artist though, would hard to bet he doesn't blow his big opportunity for the belt one way or the other.

The thing is, I'm not in this "Gane sucks" group. He's just a couple levels below Aspinall everywhere imo.

 

[Tweak896]

The thing is, I'm not in this "Gane sucks" group. He's just a couple levels below Aspinall everywhere imo.

Fair enough, Aspinall does look pretty well rounded. I wouldn't be surprised if the most likely outcome is he's able to rock/paper/scissors the division when it comes to beating them at their weakness. Most of HW is pretty 1 dimensional too.

 

[SuperAlly]

OK, Sherdoggers, Jon Jones has officially retired, and our new "undisputed" UFC Heavyweight Champion is Tom Aspinall. The online community is absolutely losing their minds, acting like this is some kind of cosmic justice because bones supposedly "ducked" him for years.

And honestly, while it's come as a surprise , I think some of you need a serious reality check before you go crowning Aspinall the greatest thing since sliced bread.

Here's a little perspective for those blinded by the hype:

Let's cut through the noise about Jones "ducking" Aspinall. While everyone was clamoring for that fight, let's look at the actual facts regarding recent activity for a champion. Jon Jones, the man who just vacated the undisputed heavyweight belt, defended his HW title against Stipe Miocic in November 2024 at UFC 309.

Meanwhile, Tom Aspinall's last outing was his interim title defense against Curtis Blaydes in July 2024 at UFC 304. So, if you're talking about who was more recently active as a heavyweight champion (interim or undisputed), it was Jones. Plain and simple. Jones had a commitment to Miocic, a legendary heavyweight in his own right, and he honored it. Period.

Now, Aspinall is out there proclaiming he's going to be this super active champion, and you worms are eating it up like candy. And sure, it sounds great on paper. Everyone wants an active champ.

But let's be real: the heavyweight division isn't a cakewalk, one well timed punch and your title reign is done. Injuries are a constant threat. Jon Jones, the GOAT, meticulously planned his career and his fights for longevity and dominance. To expect Aspinall to suddenly be fighting every few months in this division after a relatively short career is, frankly, naive.

By putting Aspinall on this massive pedestal right now, and hyping up this "Jones ducked him" narrative, many of you are essentially setting him up for failure. When (not if) he eventually has to take time off due to injury, or if he can't fight as frequently as he's promising, will you all still be cheering? Or will the same crowd calling him the savior of the division turn on him for not living up to an unrealistic standard you helped create?

Look, Aspinall is clearly a good fighter, but let's not rewrite history or project some kind of flawless, ultra-active reign onto him just because Jon Jones retired. Jones cemented his legacy, defended against a legend, and exited on his own terms. Aspinall now has the real belt, and the real pressure.

My advice? Enjoy the moment, but maybe hold off on the hype talk and the unrealistic expectations for the kid. The big boys of heavyweight division have a way of humbling even the best intentions - there's a reason that belt doesn't stay with the holders for many defences typically.

Well let's cut through all the noise

And I think it's important before we get started

That we have to and absolutely most acknowledge

And it's definitely an enormous point

To write 4 or 5 paragraphs before we even get close to making a point

 

[whocares]

Holy shit some of these unhinged strokers are seriously embarrassing themselves. We're way past that news cycle, you're gonna have to eat the rest of your seethe if you want to save face. Better get your shit together quickly, these posts all count towards your legacies....

 

[mkess101]

Fair enough, Aspinall does look pretty well rounded. I wouldn't be surprised if the most likely outcome is he's able to rock/paper/scissors the division when it comes to beating them at their weakness. Most of HW is pretty 1 dimensional too.

He's better than that as a striker. I don't think he's some sort of grappling wizard at all (solid but not special) but his ability to move, and hit with speed and power is all time good.