Tom Aspinall's first title defense should be according to a former two-part champion of the UFC fan.
After months of waiting for Jon Jones, Tom Aspinall was promoted to undisputed UFC Heavyweight Champion after the retirement of Jones last month. At the moment, an exact timeline is uncertain for the first undisputed title defense of Aspinall, as it will be confronted to get the heavyweight division moving again.
Various intriguing names are in the mix for the next opponent of Aspinall, including two -time linear title Challenger Ciryl Gane. But Gane's most recent victory was marred in controversy, after he defeated Alexander Volkov at UFC 310 in a fight that Dana White believes the judges have come wrong.
In the midst of the uncertainty at the top of the division, a former champion believes that an out-of-the-box pick is justified for the next opponent of Aspinall.
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Henry Cejudo makes a surprising choice for the first undisputed title defense of Tom Aspinall
Former UFC -light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira raised eyebrows, only a few weeks ago when he placed a stunning weight gain on social media, which gave rise to speculation that he is planting a switch to heavy weight. But Pereira is still planning to let it go back with newly crowned, light heavyweight holder Magomed Ankalaev later this year after losing the belt at UFC 313.
While Aspinall is starting his undisputed title line, he could be confronted with one of the most beloved stars of the heavyweight division in a huge confrontation.
In a recent message on X, the former Two-Division UFC champion Henry Cejudo made a potentially resuming Pick for Aspinall's first undisputed title defense.
“It should be Tom Aspinall vs. Derrick Lewis. The fans would certainly prefer it, and Lewis would mean more over the CV of Aspinall than Gane,” said Cejudo.
“How could you build a fight between Aspinall and Gane when Gane lost his last fight and Dana said to Volkov outside the cage 'You have f *****'. Let Aspinall/Lewis UFC 322 at MSG.”
Derrick Lewis made a strong business for a title shot, despite his ranking, in a knockout of 35 seconds from Tallison Teixeira in UFC Nashville earlier this month. Lewis, a dual UFC title finer, is the leader of the UFC's all-time knockouts and has won three of his last four fights.
Making things interesting, White did not explicitly deny Lewis's case for a heavyweight title shot after UFC Nashville. An announcement with regard to the next fight by Aspinall is expected to be made in the coming weeks.
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Jon Jones focuses on 'who is the champion' at the time of planned UFC Comeback in the White House
In the meantime, Jones received a bad news from White with regard to his intended Octagon Return at the planned White House event of the UFC next year. White recently closed Jones who may have the map Headline -Lining because of some violations from Jones outside the cage.
Jones has since issued a statement about White's comments, which points to his desire to remain active and to continue to train in the hope of changing the thoughts of the UFC headman. He has not fought anymore since he completed Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 in November.
If Aspinall retains the heavyweight belt at the end of the year, a confrontation with Jones could finally flourish. But for now, White does not seem interested in granting Jones's wishes.