UFC Interim Heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall revealed what his strategy would be in a super fight with Alex Pereira
Tom Aspinall is keen to seek vengeance on Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304 in Manchester next weekend. In the build-up to this fight, one name keeps emerging as a possible superfight in the future.
Alex “Poatan” Pereira.
Talk of Alex Pereira’s Heavyweight journey has circulated since he arrived at the UFC. Upon discovering the former Middleweight champion would cut almost 50lbs to make middleweight, a move up in weight class seemed inevitable.
After effortlessly cruising up to Light-Heavyweight and stealing the belt within 4 months the move up in weight paid off, handily transitioning to 205lbs and still making a 20lb cut to Light-Heavyweight it seems three-weight success is next on the list for Pereira.
Though not yet confirmed many have speculated Light-Heavyweight champion Alex Pereira’s heavyweight journey may be imminent. “Poatan” himself took to the mic following his UFC 303 KO victory over Jiri Prochazka to hint at a move up to Heavyweight.
I think that’s in my future. I said that last time I was here; I say that a lot, but there didn’t seem to be much interest in the organization.
“The fans have a lot of say in this, whatever they want. In the end, these are the people paying for this… it’s going to be inevitable.”
With the potential super-fight in the near future, Tom Aspinall weighed in on how he would approach the knockout artist.
A Long Awaited Rematch
Besides all the noise surrounding a fight with Pereira, Aspinall has business to attend to next week. UFC 304 on July 27th in Manchester is Aspinall’s chance to make up for his last traumatic performance against Curtis Blaydes.
The last time Aspinall fought Blaydes was almost 2 years ago at the O2 in London. Headlining a fight night in his home country was a massive opportunity for Tom which sadly did not go his way.
Just 15 seconds into the fight Aspinall injured his knee ruling him out of competition for a year. Since then he came back with a bang after a potential career-ending injury.
After one year recovering from injury, Aspinall returned to the O2 in style finishing Marcin Tybura inside 2 minutes. He then stepped in at UFC 295 on ten days’ notice against Sergei Pavlovich knocking the Russian out in the first minute to claim Interim Heavyweight gold.
With the UFC happy to wait for the return of Jon Jones before vacating the belt it seems Tom Aspinall will be defending his interim belt. Rumors are circulating that Jones will return later this year in November to fight Stipe Miocic at Madison Square Garden.
If successful Aspinall will be spoiled for choice with possible matchups against Stipe Miocic, Jon Jones, or Alex Pereira.
Tom Aspinall Releases His Unique Gameplan for Alex Pereira Fight
Although he has his sights wholly set on Blaydes with all the media leading up to UFC 304, Tom Aspinall cannot escape the Pereira talk. In a recent interview with Bloody Elbow, Tom gave an interesting insight into his intentions if faced off with Alex Pereira.
“If we fought, I’d just sprint across the octagon, rugby tackle him, and hold him on the floor.”
The Heavyweight Brit doubled down on this claim in an interview with JNMEDIAUK: “Full blast mate, f***** 40-yard dash straight across, head in the middle in a full-on spear.
Hopefully, I’d knock him out just with that, if I don’t knock myself out… One of us would get knocked out from that, either him or me, and hopefully, it’d be him.”
Despite proving his striking expertise in his last two victories, Aspinall respects the danger Pereira possesses. He appears very keen on the matchup with Brazilian sensation Pereira and was quick to praise him:
“He’s a beast. I’m a big fan of his. I like what he does and what he’s about. He’s there to fight, fights anybody, and is willing to do it on short notice. We have pretty similar mindsets if I do say so myself.”
Quotes via Bloody Elbow
Whilst remaining respectful he believes he is the superior grappler. Only time will tell whether Tom will stand and trade or shoot from the word go.
If the paths of Pereira and Aspinall do align, there is no doubt the UFC will book the fight without hesitation.
Would you want to see Tom Aspinall vs. Alex Pereira in the near future? Let us know in the comments below!
Featured Image Credit via Embed from Getty Images
