Jon Jones, the undefeated heavyweight champion, is making waves in the UFC world after his latest TKO victory over Stipe Miocic. However, Jones is causing controversy by refusing to fight interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall and is instead demanding to challenge light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira, stating his desire to face "dangerous established champions." The UFC president Dana White has expressed interest in making the fight happen, but Jones is prepared to retire if his demands are not met, adding to the drama surrounding the potential matchup. As fans and experts debate over what should be next for Jones, one thing is certain: he holds all the power in this negotiation.
Jon Jones, the undefeated UFC heavyweight kingpin, is stirring up a storm with his controversial demands and refusal to face interim champion Tom Aspinall. His insistence on challenging light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira has put the UFC in a predicament, with Jones threatening to retire if his wishes are not granted.
Jon Jones' reign of dominance in the light heavyweight division was unparalleled. With an unblemished record of 20-0 and 16 title defenses to his name, he was widely considered the greatest fighter in UFC history. However, in 2020, Jones vacated his title to move up to the heavyweight division.
Despite his initial struggles to adapt to the heavier weight class, Jones has proven his prowess with two consecutive TKO victories. His latest triumph over former heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic sent shockwaves through the UFC landscape.
In the aftermath of his victory over Miocic, Jones dropped a bombshell: he refuses to face interim champion Aspinall and insists on challenging Pereira for the light heavyweight belt instead. Jones cited his desire to face "dangerous established champions" as his motivation.
UFC president Dana White initially expressed interest in making the Jones-Pereira fight happen. However, Aspinall's impressive performance in his title-winning bout against Curtis Blaydes has complicated matters. The UFC is torn between honoring Jones' wishes and the potential backlash from fans and fighters alike if Aspinall is overlooked.
Jones has doubled down on his demands, threatening to retire if the UFC does not grant him the Pereira fight. This ultimatum has put the promotion in a precarious position, especially considering Jones' star power and the potential loss of revenue his absence would create.
1. Why does Jones refuse to fight Aspinall? Jones claims Aspinall is not a "dangerous established champion" and that he is more interested in facing top-tier opponents.
2. What is the UFC's stance on Jones' demands? The UFC is open to the Jones-Pereira fight but is also aware of the backlash they could face by overlooking Aspinall.
3. What happens if Jones retires? Jones' retirement would be a significant blow to the UFC, both financially and in terms of star power.
4. Who is the favorite in a potential Jones-Pereira fight? Jones is widely regarded as one of the greatest fighters in UFC history, but Pereira is a dangerous striker who holds a win over Jones in kickboxing.
5. What is the potential outcome of this situation? The UFC could ultimately decide to give Jones the Pereira fight, but they also risk alienating Aspinall and his supporters. Alternatively, Jones could retire and create a massive void in the UFC heavyweight division.
The Belgium national team's head coach, Domenico Tedesco, has revealed that Napoli's star striker, Romelu Lukaku, may have to sit out the upcoming Serie A match against Roma due to a knee injury. Lukaku, who recently returned to the Belgium squad for the first time this season, felt discomfort in his knee after playing against Italy on Thursday. Tedesco announced that the 31-year-old will not be able to train or play for at least four to five days, putting his participation in the crucial match at risk.
The interim head coach of the England national team finished his tenure in style, as the Three Lions demolished 10-man Ireland in a dominant second-half display. The victory not only secured promotion to the top tier of the UEFA Nations League, but it also set a new record for England's biggest-ever win in a game that was goalless at half-time. To top it off, four different players scored their first goals for England in the same game, a feat that had not been achieved since 1930. The win ensured that England would finish at the top of their group and avoid the hassle of a playoff in the spring.
England dominated in their final game of Lee Carsley's interim tenure, easily defeating Republic of Ireland 5-0 in the Nations League. Goals from Kane, Gordon, Gallagher, Bowen, and Harwood-Bellis propelled England to a win and earned them a promotion to the top tier of the Nations League. Ireland, on the other hand, now face a relegation play-off. Fans can get involved in the conversation on social media using #bbcfootball.
In a rain-affected finale to their white-ball tour of the West Indies, England came out victorious in the T20I series, clinching a 3-1 win against the hosts. After three consecutive wins, the West Indies managed to earn a consolation victory in the fourth T20I, chasing down 219. However, the fifth and final match was ultimately washed out after only five overs, securing England's victory. This win marks a successful end to Marcus Trescothick's time as manager for the white-ball team, with Brendon McCullum set to take over in January as head coach for the Test team.
In a thrilling match in Milan, France emerged victorious over Italy, securing a top finish in their Nations League group. The game was filled with excitement and drama as both sides fought hard for the win. With this victory, France continues to show their dominance in the soccer world, solidifying their spot as one of the favorites heading into next year's Euro Cup.
After a successful 17-year career, New Zealand's star seamer Tim Southee has announced his retirement from Test cricket. The second highest wicket-taker in New Zealand's cricket history, Southee will play his final match against England at his home ground of Seddon Park in Hamilton. The 35-year-old made his Test debut against England in 2008 and has since taken 385 wickets in 104 Test matches.
In a thrilling game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills, quarterback Patrick Mahomes made key plays including a first pass interception and a 40-yard pass to receiver Xavier Worthy. But the Bills put up a strong fight, with defensive players like Brandon Codrington and Ed Oliver making impressive plays. In the end, it was the Chiefs' quarterback that sealed the deal with a third-down sack on Mahomes by defensive end Ed Oliver and linebacker Von Miller.
The Phoenix Suns are looking for payback as they face off against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the team that ended their championship dreams in the previous playoffs. This will be the first meeting between the two teams since the Suns' heartbreaking defeat, highlighted by a memorable dunk from Timberwolves' rookie Anthony Edwards that sealed the series. The Suns will also be missing their star player Kevin Durant, who is still recovering from a calf injury. However, the Suns have a tough schedule ahead, including games against the Orlando Magic and New York Knicks, before their highly anticipated rematch against the Los Angeles Lakers.
In a stunning upset, debutant Yarden Shua scores a late winner for Israel against Belgium in the Nations League match. Despite the win, Israel could not avoid relegation from the top tier. The victory also puts Israel on level with Belgium in the final standings with four points in Group A2.