Tom Aspinall Warns Alex Pereira – ‘I’m Not Shying Away’
Tom Aspinall is willing to face Alex Pereira if the Brazilian moves up to heavyweight.
Pereira is a two-weight UFC champion on an incredible run of form. Following his loss to Israel Adesanya at UFC 287, the Brazilian moved up to light heavyweight. He would get his title shot against Jiri Prochazka, beating him via a second-round stoppage at UFC 295 to win the vacant light heavyweight title. Pereira made a successful defense of the belt in his next fight, knocking out Jamahal Hill in the first round at UFC 300.
Pereira’s Future
The win was praised since Pereria had broken his toe two weeks earlier, but they went ahead with the fight anyway. Alex stepped in at short notice to rematch Prochazka at UFC 303 after Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler was called off. Once again, Pereira knocked out Prochazka in the second round. A high leg kick to the head, followed by a flurry of combinations, was enough to end the fight. After his win, Alex hinted at a move up to heavyweight.
“It was great. I was saying all week I was going to come out here and be victorious. I don’t know what the next step is. I’m taking these opportunities. Everything that’s coming my way is positive so this is what I’m doing. I think that’s in my future. I said that last time I was here. [And] I said it a lot, but it didn’t seem to be too much interest in the organization. But I’m here, I’m available and I do think that’s in my future. I think the fans have a lot of say in this. If this is what they want, I think this is going to be inevitable,” Pereira said
Aspinall Reacts
If Pereria moves up, there is a demand to see him fight UFC Heavyweight Jon Jones. Aspinall is the interim champion, meaning he is next in line for the belt. However, Jones has shown a reluctance to fight Aspinall, with suggestions that he is ducking the Brit. Jones even stated that a fight with Pereira is much bigger than Aspinall. Tom was cageside at UFC 300 when Pereira knocked out Hill. Fans responded by talking up a potential fight. If either of them wants to face Jones, it may be a situation where they face off with the winner then taking on Jones. Aspinall is looking forward to the challenges presented to him, come what may.
“As we’ve seen with me, I’m not shying away from anybody. So, if the UFC wanna do that, I’m more than happy to do it. But, as an elite level fighter myself, you can’t help but be impressed with what Alex Pereira has done over the past couple of years.
“This time a few years ago, nobody knew who he was and now he’s one of the biggest starts in MMA. One of the best fighters in UFC history. I’ve really respected what he’s done. I absolutely want to fight him, I’m sure there will be a time and a place for it. I’m not jumping ahead of things right now, fighting Curtis Blaydes now, and if that’s what the UFC wants to do one day, then we’ll absolutely do it,” Aspinall said
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