Tom Aspinall Weighs In on Potential Fight Against Francis Ngannou

[Kung Fu Kowboy]

​

Tom Aspinall believes he could navigate the threat that Francis Ngannou poses.

Aspinall recently became the undisputed UFC heavyweight champion after Jon Jones announced his retirement from the sport. “Honey Badger” was asked about a potential matchup against former champ Ngannou. While Aspinall acknowledges the knockout power of Ngannou, he believes his fight IQ is good enough to deal with it. However, the Englishman also admits that everything could be over in the blink of an eye in heavyweight MMA. Regardless of how it plays out, Aspinall is definitely interested in a matchup against Ngannou.

“I like the fight. I think he is very, very dangerous,” Aspinall told UFC on Eurosport. “I think that I’m a smart fighter with a good IQ. And I think that I could navigate that danger well. But man, you never know, this is heavyweight MMA. At the top level you never know until you’re in there. So, from the outside looking in, I think I’ll do good. You never know though. It’s a fight that I’ll definitely be interested in.”

Ngannou parted ways with the UFC as the reigning heavyweight champ in 2023 over failed contract negotiations. “The Predator” subsequently signed with the PFL, which also allowed him to compete in boxing. Ngannou earned massive paydays in boxing matches while dropping a split decision against Tyson Fury, followed by a brutal knockout against Anthony Joshua. The Cameroonian made his PFL debut last year, where he defeated Renan Ferreira to become the inaugural PFL Super Fights heavyweight champion. Dana White recently expressed disinterest in the idea of Ngannou returning to the UFC.

Aspinall Says Contract Signed for First Title Defense​

Meanwhile, Aspinall said that he has officially signed the contract for his first title defense. And Jones returned to the testing pool within weeks of his retirement. While Jones wants to be a part of the UFC’s White House card in 2026, White hinted that it’s unlikely, as “Bones” is not reliable enough.

Tom Aspinall on fighting Francis Ngannou:

"I think I'm a smart fighter with good fight IQ. I could navigate that danger well. From the outside looking in, I think I’ll do good. It’s a fight that I would definitely be interested in."

( UFC on Eurosport) pic.twitter.com/aHoFxLC92p

— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) July 21, 2025

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Tom Aspinall Weighs In on Potential Fight Against Francis Ngannou

Tom Aspinall believes he could navigate the threat that Francis Ngannou poses.

www.sherdog.com

Spoiler

@HHJ

@fujitsugroundnpound

@Neck&Neck
@Arqueto @BroRogan @Carl Drogo @lsa
@StonedLemur @Fight Professor @TerrorTimmy @Elvis. @ryun253 @don't ask @C0NCH3TO @MEAN357 @Cooliox @mudrubble @Bobby Boulders @Simple Southerner @svmr_db @Luthien @BoxerMaurits @Neck&Neck @SeattleFightFan @Ares Black @Arm Barbarian @Blanqa Blanqua @Royce's Gi @Cooliox @Krixes @MXZT @wisdom blows @nonoob @Mohawk Banditó @JKS @SuperNerd @2004 account @Mammothman @Bushwhacker B @Siver! @TITS @Cowboy Kurt Angle @Jose Beehive @MEAN357 @NoBiasJustMMA @FlyingDeathKick @Doughie99 @13Seconds @CPH @Kenny Powerth @OldBoy91 @Kryptt @Paynebringer @HI SCOTT NEWMAN @Poirierfan @SenorFranko @MMALOPEZ @Hellowhosthat @Get To Da Choppa @BangBang @Substance Abuse @John makfresshi @Islam Imamate @Wong_Wongster_Irish @TCE @Jackonfire @helax @Iroh

 

[lsa]

Feed the camp!


I could eat

 

[Get To Da Choppa]

​

Tom Aspinall believes he could navigate the threat that Francis Ngannou poses.

Aspinall recently became the undisputed UFC heavyweight champion after Jon Jones announced his retirement from the sport. “Honey Badger” was asked about a potential matchup against former champ Ngannou. While Aspinall acknowledges the knockout power of Ngannou, he believes his fight IQ is good enough to deal with it. However, the Englishman also admits that everything could be over in the blink of an eye in heavyweight MMA. Regardless of how it plays out, Aspinall is definitely interested in a matchup against Ngannou.

“I like the fight. I think he is very, very dangerous,” Aspinall told UFC on Eurosport. “I think that I’m a smart fighter with a good IQ. And I think that I could navigate that danger well. But man, you never know, this is heavyweight MMA. At the top level you never know until you’re in there. So, from the outside looking in, I think I’ll do good. You never know though. It’s a fight that I’ll definitely be interested in.”

Ngannou parted ways with the UFC as the reigning heavyweight champ in 2023 over failed contract negotiations. “The Predator” subsequently signed with the PFL, which also allowed him to compete in boxing. Ngannou earned massive paydays in boxing matches while dropping a split decision against Tyson Fury, followed by a brutal knockout against Anthony Joshua. The Cameroonian made his PFL debut last year, where he defeated Renan Ferreira to become the inaugural PFL Super Fights heavyweight champion. Dana White recently expressed disinterest in the idea of Ngannou returning to the UFC.

Aspinall Says Contract Signed for First Title Defense​

Meanwhile, Aspinall said that he has officially signed the contract for his first title defense. And Jones returned to the testing pool within weeks of his retirement. While Jones wants to be a part of the UFC’s White House card in 2026, White hinted that it’s unlikely, as “Bones” is not reliable enough.



READ HERE

Tom Aspinall Weighs In on Potential Fight Against Francis Ngannou

Tom Aspinall believes he could navigate the threat that Francis Ngannou poses.

www.sherdog.com

Spoiler

@HHJ

@fujitsugroundnpound

@Neck&Neck
@Arqueto @BroRogan @Carl Drogo @lsa
@StonedLemur @Fight Professor @TerrorTimmy @Elvis. @ryun253 @don't ask @C0NCH3TO @MEAN357 @Cooliox @mudrubble @Bobby Boulders @Simple Southerner @svmr_db @Luthien @BoxerMaurits @Neck&Neck @SeattleFightFan @Ares Black @Arm Barbarian @Blanqa Blanqua @Royce's Gi @Cooliox @Krixes @MXZT @wisdom blows @nonoob @Mohawk Banditó @JKS @SuperNerd @2004 account @Mammothman @Bushwhacker B @Siver! @TITS @Cowboy Kurt Angle @Jose Beehive @MEAN357 @NoBiasJustMMA @FlyingDeathKick @Doughie99 @13Seconds @CPH @Kenny Powerth @OldBoy91 @Kryptt @Paynebringer @HI SCOTT NEWMAN @Poirierfan @SenorFranko @MMALOPEZ @Hellowhosthat @Get To Da Choppa @BangBang @subtlySteve bstance Abuse @John makfresshi @Islam Imamate @Wong_Wongster_Irish @TCE @Jackonfire @helax @Iroh

Francis Ngannou would make history as the second ever fighter from Cameroon in the UFC, and the first to fight for a title

 

[Jackonfire]

Why is Tom so scared of Derrick Lewis? Won't even mention his name. Ngannou isn't even in the UFC.

 

[The Bloody Nine]

Why is Tom so scared of Derrick Lewis? Won't even mention his name. Ngannou isn't even in the UFC.

Probably because he was asked about Francis, not Lewis.

 

[Michael Wetzel]

Tom is talking about a fighter he knows will never be in UFC again.

 

[Blastbeat]

its a battle of who boops who first
if Ngannou boops Tom thats probably lights out
if Tom boops Ngannou, then he jumps on him for a sub or stoppage

either way, there will be major boopage goin on if that fight ever does happen

 

[Fedorgasm]

Would love to see Francis vs Tom, but until that becomes a realistic possibility, I want to see black beast get his title shot!

 

[SuperAlly]

​

Tom Aspinall believes he could navigate the threat that Francis Ngannou poses.

Aspinall recently became the undisputed UFC heavyweight champion after Jon Jones announced his retirement from the sport. “Honey Badger” was asked about a potential matchup against former champ Ngannou. While Aspinall acknowledges the knockout power of Ngannou, he believes his fight IQ is good enough to deal with it. However, the Englishman also admits that everything could be over in the blink of an eye in heavyweight MMA. Regardless of how it plays out, Aspinall is definitely interested in a matchup against Ngannou.

“I like the fight. I think he is very, very dangerous,” Aspinall told UFC on Eurosport. “I think that I’m a smart fighter with a good IQ. And I think that I could navigate that danger well. But man, you never know, this is heavyweight MMA. At the top level you never know until you’re in there. So, from the outside looking in, I think I’ll do good. You never know though. It’s a fight that I’ll definitely be interested in.”

Ngannou parted ways with the UFC as the reigning heavyweight champ in 2023 over failed contract negotiations. “The Predator” subsequently signed with the PFL, which also allowed him to compete in boxing. Ngannou earned massive paydays in boxing matches while dropping a split decision against Tyson Fury, followed by a brutal knockout against Anthony Joshua. The Cameroonian made his PFL debut last year, where he defeated Renan Ferreira to become the inaugural PFL Super Fights heavyweight champion. Dana White recently expressed disinterest in the idea of Ngannou returning to the UFC.

Aspinall Says Contract Signed for First Title Defense​

Meanwhile, Aspinall said that he has officially signed the contract for his first title defense. And Jones returned to the testing pool within weeks of his retirement. While Jones wants to be a part of the UFC’s White House card in 2026, White hinted that it’s unlikely, as “Bones” is not reliable enough.



READ HERE

Tom Aspinall Weighs In on Potential Fight Against Francis Ngannou

Tom Aspinall believes he could navigate the threat that Francis Ngannou poses.

www.sherdog.com

Spoiler

@HHJ

@fujitsugroundnpound

@Neck&Neck
@Arqueto @BroRogan @Carl Drogo @lsa
@StonedLemur @Fight Professor @TerrorTimmy @Elvis. @ryun253 @don't ask @C0NCH3TO @MEAN357 @Cooliox @mudrubble @Bobby Boulders @Simple Southerner @svmr_db @Luthien @BoxerMaurits @Neck&Neck @SeattleFightFan @Ares Black @Arm Barbarian @Blanqa Blanqua @Royce's Gi @Cooliox @Krixes @MXZT @wisdom blows @nonoob @Mohawk Banditó @JKS @SuperNerd @2004 account @Mammothman @Bushwhacker B @Siver! @TITS @Cowboy Kurt Angle @Jose Beehive @MEAN357 @NoBiasJustMMA @FlyingDeathKick @Doughie99 @13Seconds @CPH @Kenny Powerth @OldBoy91 @Kryptt @Paynebringer @HI SCOTT NEWMAN @Poirierfan @SenorFranko @MMALOPEZ @Hellowhosthat @Get To Da Choppa @BangBang @Substance Abuse @John makfresshi @Islam Imamate @Wong_Wongster_Irish @TCE @Jackonfire @helax @Iroh

Let's bring on the butthurt guys

 

[SuperAlly]

Tom is talking about a fighter he knows will never be in UFC again.

Here we go guys, let it flow

 

[Elvis.]

I’m going to be shocked if Francis ever makes his way back to ufc , he’s in the blackballed for life category
Dana would have to be long gone to even have a chance of it

 

[TITS]

its a battle of who boops who first
if Ngannou boops Tom thats probably lights out
if Tom boops Ngannou, then he jumps on him for a sub or stoppage

either way, there will be major boopage goin on if that fight ever does happen

 

[laleggenda27]

I've been driving the Aspinall war wagon since before it was cool. But prime Ngannou is a terrible matchup for him. Aspinall attacks linearly and often leaves his chin straight up; that's a recipe for disaster against Ngannou.

 

[SuperAlly]

I've been driving the Aspinall war wagon since before it was cool. But prime Ngannou is a terrible matchup for him. Aspinall attacks linearly and often leaves his chin straight up; that's a recipe for disaster against Ngannou.

To a degree yes.

But Aspinall is a terrible match up for Francis too. Gane turned Francis into a wrestler and Aspinall has all Gane's attributes plus grappling

 

[ThaiSexPills]

Why is Tom so scared of Derrick Lewis? Won't even mention his name. Ngannou isn't even in the UFC.

I love Derrick Lewis but really? He’s been smoked many, many times. Id love to see him get a shot too but he’s not the top guy. Hes 3-4 in his last 7.

 

[lsa]

Tom is talking about a fighter he knows will never be in UFC again.

Because he was asked about it.
Struve brought him up, not Tom...
They also addresses the whole will never be in the UFC again.

 

[Gregoire1]

Smart fighter? Where the proofs? In which fights Aspinall was smart?
Ngannou 70/30 IMO

 

[Chagaev]

Ngannou is more durable than Aspinall, prime for prime I'd favor him.

Derrick for the title would be just another nail in the coffin for HW if he lays an egg like he usually does against top fighters. I don't even remember when he had a good win, maybe Curtis years ago.

 

[laleggenda27]

To a degree yes.

But Aspinall is a terrible match up for Francis too. Gane turned Francis into a wrestler and Aspinall has all Gane's attributes plus grappling

Gane is far more technical on the feet than Aspinall, whereas Aspinall is far more powerful; they're very different strikers. And let's not forget Francis had a blown out knee in that fight.

 

[Luffy]

Well, Tom recently said he's evenly matched with Gane, but he noticed he's still slightly better, so Ngannou, being also slightly better than Gane wouldn't be too dangerous for Tom. Likely > Tom yet, but we gotta see. According to Tom, Cyril would be like Jamahal Hill and he (Tom) be like Jiri Prochazka by the scoring he gave each fighter. Not as high as Pereira and Ankalaev who he got as a 9/9.5 but HW is easier. He'd rather fight Ngannou than Pereira, ofc.

Even Ankalaev said Ngannou was sparring hard with him because he was pissed Ankalaev had KO'd a friend of him in a fight, so Ank said he just took Ngannou down and kept him pinned down until Ngannou calmed the f** up and then he was friendly later. HWs aren't all that