Midnight Mania! Jones Laughs Off Aspinall Vs. Blaydes: ‘Number One Contender Spot’

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The Heavyweight division took a big step forward earlier on Thursday (May 16, 2024) when interim champion Tom Aspinall booked the first defense of his title opposite wrestling ace Curtis Blaydes. The two are booked as the co-main event of UFC 304, scheduled for July 27 from Manchester, England.

Official kingpin Jon Jones isn’t worried.

Despite resistance from the fan base, Jones and UFC CEO Dana White have made it abundantly clear that the next match up for the undisputed belt — which, again, is currently disputed by Aspinall — will be Jones vs. Stipe Miocic, despite Miocic’s extremely long layoff since his knockout loss to Francis Ngannou.

In a series of Tweets, Jones reacted to the interim title booking and labeled it the “official number one contender spot,” dismissing any bit of the bout’s credibility as a championship fight.

In addition, Jones revealed November 9th as his planned return date, which hasn’t yet been announced by UFC. Jones rebuked the online critics and laughed off the Blaydes vs. Aspinall match up again, pointing out that the duo are the co-main event to a Welterweight title fight, which would never happen with an undisputed Heavyweight title fight.

Jones’ tweets actually offer a lot of clarity as to how the Heavyweight division will move forward. If both bouts go through as planned, the victor of Jones vs. Miocic and Aspinall vs. Blaydes could seek to unify the titles in the first half of 2025. It’s not ideal to have both champions fighting other contenders just a couple months apart, but at least there’s a game plan moving forward.

… Unless Jones retires with a victory.

Insomnia

Joaquin Buckley wasn’t interested in a quick turnaround opposite Ian Garry.

Boxing payouts are so far beyond UFC salaries.

I hope to be alive for UFC 1000 but I pray I’m not covering it!

Terrance McKinney reacts to his knockout loss last weekend:

Belal Muhammad has more than earned his shot, but also … why are UFC fighters the last to hear that they’re fighting?!?

Sean Strickland’s reply in the comments: “Man its out of respect!! You’re crushing it bkb lol! I just wanna see how good you are!!!!!”

The build up to Sean O’Malley vs. Ryan Garcia is getting weird!

Slips, rips, and KO clips

This is quite the dramatic fall at the end.

Getting booted like a heavy bag is a worst-case scenario.

Incredible spinning elbow set up by falling forward after throwing the teep kick:

Random Land

What could possibly be in those plastic bags that is worth getting gored by a bull?

Midnight Music: Rock, 1971

Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.