Tom Aspinall respects Francis Ngannou and sees a potential 50/50 fight between them, though it’s unlikely due to UFC’s co-promotion stance, while he also considers a possible heavyweight bout with light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira, as he prepares to be the backup fighter for the upcoming Jones vs. Miocic fight at UFC 309.
Tom Aspinall holds a deep respect for Francis Ngannou. This Saturday, Ngannou steps back into the MMA spotlight against Renan Ferreira at PFL: Battle of the Giants. It’s his first MMA bout since 2022 when he defended the UFC heavyweight title against Ciryl Gane, marking his last fight with the promotion.
Meanwhile, Aspinall has been making waves in the UFC’s heavyweight division. He clinched the interim heavyweight belt and successfully defended it in July. Now, he’s eyeing a title unification clash with Jon Jones, assuming Jones retains his belt against Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 in November.
Ngannou’s return sparks curiosity among fans about a potential showdown with Aspinall. On his YouTube channel, Aspinall shared his thoughts on this hypothetical matchup. “That’s a good fight! That’s a great fight,” he remarked. Acknowledging Ngannou’s prowess, he added, “Francis is a scary man.” Yet, Aspinall feels he might have a technical edge.
Despite fan interest, an Aspinall vs. Ngannou bout seems improbable due to the UFC’s reluctance to co-promote fights. However, there might be another intriguing matchup on the horizon for Aspinall—light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira.
“Poatan” has hinted at moving up to heavyweight, and Aspinall is eager for a champ vs. champ clash if Pereira takes the plunge. “I like the idea of that,” Aspinall admitted. He respects Pereira’s achievements across divisions and welcomes the challenge.
For now, Aspinall waits in anticipation. He’s set as the backup fighter for the Jones vs. Miocic bout at UFC 309 next month. Though uncertain if he’ll be needed, he’s preparing diligently. “I’m just training to be the backup fighter right now,” he stated.
Aspinall teased that discussions with the UFC have already paved the way for future plans if he doesn’t step in at UFC 309. “We’ve got some plans in place,” he hinted, though specifics remain under wraps for now. Big news looms on the horizon—stay tuned!