PFL changes tune on Muhammad Mokaev, Tom Aspinall as back-up & Stipe Miocic injury

As a seasoned gamer with decades of combat sports fandom under my belt, I find myself constantly intrigued by the rollercoaster that is the world of MMA. Here are my thoughts on today’s headlines:

In this brand-new daily feature, I will dissect the latest happenings within the sphere of combat sports and share my insights with you. Make sure to drop by each morning to catch the day’s top or offbeat stories, along with my perspectives on those developments.

PFL backtracks on Muhammad Mokaev opinion

As a gamer, I was excited when UFC let go of Muhammad Mokaev, but then it seemed like the Professional Fighters League (PFL) wasn’t interested either. But boy, have things changed! Pete Murray, the CEO of PFL, told Sherdog that they’re seriously considering making Muhammad Mokaev the future face of flyweights in their Global Season or even on Bellator. It’s definitely something they’re looking into, and I can see why – this kid is a real standout!

It seems quite odd to publicly dismiss and belittle a fighter, only to later suggest he could be the poster boy for your division within a short span of time. This sudden change makes one wonder if the initial comments were based on mere speculation about someone he had no real knowledge of. If you ask me, it’s a bit awkward, as if they recognized his value only after doing some research on him.

Tom Aspinall says he’s been asked to be the Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic back-up fighter

Tom Aspinall, the current UFC interim heavyweight champion, has revealed he’s been asked to serve as the backup fighter for the upcoming Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic fight, tentatively set for November. “There were discussions about me stepping in as the backup after my bout with Curtis Blaydes,” Aspinall explained. “The UFC approached me about this opportunity. I’ve agreed to step up if needed. I’m keeping myself ready for that date, so just let me know. I’ll be there and prepared to fight.” Essentially, Aspinall considers himself the top contender in the heavyweight division, questioning the reason behind Jones and Miocic’s title fight but expressing his readiness to prove his worth on short notice if required.

It’s surprising if people were surprised by this news, as it seems unlikely that the interim champ isn’t the backup. That would certainly be an unusual situation. However, considering the UFC’s past antics, maybe it’s not so strange after all.

Stipe Miocic denies injury claims

— Stipe Miocic (@stipemiocic) August 23, 2024

In a move on social platforms, Aspinall fueled speculation about Stipe Miocic being hurt and unable to compete against Jon Jones. However, Miocic refuted these allegations using a humorous “fake news” meme that mimicked Donald Trump’s style.

It seems plausible that the silence about this upcoming fight hints at some underlying issues, possibly causing delays in its announcement. We’re still in the dark as to what exactly is preventing this fight from being made public.

2024-08-23 19:43