Tom Aspinall is open to combating Alex Pereira if the UFC mild heavyweight champion decides to maneuver as much as heavyweight.
After Pereira scored a second-round knockout win over Jiri Prochazka at UFC 303 to defend his mild heavyweight title he hinted at going to heavyweight quickly. Pereira is seeking to turn out to be the first-ever fighter in UFC historical past to turn out to be a three-weight champion, however UFC CEO Dana White says a transfer to heavyweight isn’t imminent.
Though White isn’t positive Pereira will transfer as much as heavyweight quickly, the interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall says he’s open to welcoming the Brazilian to the heavyweight division.
“As we’ve seen with me, I’m not shying away from anyone. So, if the UFC wanna do this, I’m very happy to do it. However, as an elite degree fighter myself, you may’t assist however be impressed with what Alex Pereira has completed over the previous couple of years. This time a number of years in the past, no person knew who he was and now he’s one of many largest begins in MMA. Probably the greatest fighters in UFC historical past. I’ve actually revered what he’s completed. I completely wish to struggle him, I’m positive there will probably be a time and a spot for it. I’m not leaping forward of issues proper now, combating Curtis Blaydes now, and if that’s what the UFC desires to do at some point, then we’ll completely do it,” Aspinall stated to talkSport.
If Alex Pereira does transfer as much as struggle Tom Aspinall at heavyweight it might be one of many largest fights to make within the UFC. However, as Aspinall says, he’s targeted on Curtis Blaydes because the Brit is ready to defend his interim title within the co-main occasion of UFC 304.
Tom Aspinall is 14-3 as a professional and is coming off a KO win over Sergei Pavlovich in November to win the interim title.