Another big topic of discussion as we roll into Abu Dhabi: who Aspinall could face next if he defeats “Bon Gamin?”
“Whatever the UFC wants to do,” Aspinall said during UFC 321 media day interviews. “It’s pretty obvious that they’re going to do winner vs. winner of me vs Gane, and Volkov vs. Almeida. Not like a tag team match. The winner of us vs. the winner of them, that’s what I think it’s going to be next for the Heavyweight title.”
That’s not the most exciting option in the world.
Indeed, Aspinall has already sliced through Volkov, submitting the Russian via armbar in the first round of their fight back in 2022 (watch highlights). And Almeida? Daniel Cormier was caught on a hot mic sharing his opinion on how much of a “challenge” he presents.
“Jailton can’t fight,” Cormier told Aspinall in what he thought was a private conversation. “You beat him in the first round!”
Aspinall has only left the first round once in his five-year stint with UFC, so more first round finishes are almost the expectation these days. Aspinall is keeping things in perspective, though.
“As far as being a long reigning Heavyweight champion and stuff like that, we’ll just see how it goes,” he said. “I am confident I am the best fighter in the division, but it’s Heavyweight MMA. You never know what’s going to happen.”
Heavyweight has been such a turbulent division over the years that Stipe Miocic holds the record for most consecutive defenses (three). But, Aspinall is well positioned, and not just because of his slick submission game and blistering boxing. If he beats Gane, he’ll have already defeated the four top-ranked fighters in his division, with only “can’t fight” Almeida left in the Top 5 to face.
Remember that MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC 321 fight card, starting with the ESPN+/Disney+/FX “Prelims” matches online, which are scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. ET, before the main card start time at 2 p.m. ET (also on ESPN+).
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