The UFC interim’s heavyweight champion, Tom Aspinall, has been sort of sidelined ever since winning the interim title, back in UFC 295. But the big Englishman seems to have a fight that he’s eyeing for.
In a recent YouTube short, the interim champion claimed that he would fight Alex Pereira if the light heavyweight champion was willing to. He then stated, “Going on record of saying, I’m not a bully. I don’t want smaller guys. But if the small guy wants to scrap, count me in.”
Fans react to the Aspinall’s callout of Alex Pereira
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Alex Periera has hinted in the past of his ambition to capture the heavyweight champion if given the chance. And given that there are rumors flying around about Alex Pereira fighting at UFC 300, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the two fight.
Tom Aspinall also revealed in the past that the light heavyweight champion was sizing him up. ‘HoneyBadger’ in the recent YouTube shorts agreed to fight ‘Poatan’ if he was searching for a fight.
The YouTube short was reposted on X by MMA Orbit, and it certainly drew some pretty interesting responses from the fans.
A fan commented on the post claiming that Top Aspinall wouldn’t have trouble beating Pereira.
Tom by whatever he wants
— Daniels🐅 To Hyatt💨 (@BallsDeepInYm3) January 17, 2024
While another believed that the fight would be a risk for the Englishman, given Pereira’s extraordinary striking
That would be a big risk. Imagine Pereira flatlined him 😂
— Fau1in (@fau1in) January 17, 2024
Another fan claimed that Aspinall would send Pereira back to the Tyre shop after his win
Tom is gonna send him back to the Tyre shop with the Ass whoop 😭 Idk why people want Alex in the big boy weightclass…
— ﷽ (@whens) January 17, 2024
One fan pointed out that Aspinall would 100% take the win given that fight would be an easy matchup
Of course he would that’s an easy win
— Primetime (@TheAlphaRock1) January 17, 2024
A man told Aspinall to take it easy, fearing the interim champ would suffer from depression
this guy will get depression
he need to take things easy
— Schwarzenegger Chauke (@eliotchauke1) January 17, 2024
One fan was excited about the matchup, as he commented,
Make it happen.
— FlyingSpaghettiMonster (@AustinS45822680) January 18, 2024
Another stated that they would love to see the match-up
I would love to see it
— Louii Clarkson (@LouiiClarkson3) January 17, 2024
Given that a majority of the fans are eager to see the matchup, it would be interesting if the UFC manages to make the matchup. But how did Aspinall get sized up by Alex Pereira in New York?
‘Honey Badger’ on ‘Poatan’ sizing him up
On a podcast episode with True Geordie, the interim champ revealed he could feel Alex Pereira sizing him up. He narrated that the two were sitting next to each other and Aspinall felt like the light heavyweight champ was giving off a vibe showing that he had the confidence to beat the interim heavyweight champion.
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However, he dismissed the feeling by giving it the benefit of the doubt, but later found out that maybe the hunch was right. He stated, “I just felt like maybe I am making this up in my mind. When I heard he wanted to move to Heavyweight, I was not surprised. I felt he was sizing me up a little.”
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If the UFC were to make this fight, it would mean that they would be killing two birds with one stone. The frustrated interim champion would get a fight, and the UFC light heavyweight champ would get a chance to become a three-divisional champion. Let us know if you think the matchup will take place in the comments section below.