OK, so apparently, according to Tom Aspinall, the UFC had plans to match him and Stipe for the UFC 300 in April, but Stipe turned it down.
Shame, because it would be an interesting fight, but we all know who will win it and so does Stipe.
I can't really blame Stipe though, he probably has one more fight in him, so will be going for the most profitable option available. And if he loses to Jones, he could still be matched with Aspinall later, but if he was to lose to Tom, Jones will not want to fight him anymore.
Shame, because it would be an interesting fight, but we all know who will win it and so does Stipe.
I can't really blame Stipe though, he probably has one more fight in him, so will be going for the most profitable option available. And if he loses to Jones, he could still be matched with Aspinall later, but if he was to lose to Tom, Jones will not want to fight him anymore.
I wonder what were Stipe thoughts when he refused to fight Aspinal. Was he afraid to lose? Because honestly, right now Stipe is not match for Aspinal. Stipe wanted to have an easier opponent (probably to retire). Stipe is simply not interested in Aspinal, because a possible win over Bones worth more. Or it is simply because of money. He will earn in a fight against Bones, then against Aspinal.
If I was Stipe, I would have though about retirement and making as much as possible last time. Bones is a great chance to do that. It wont be shameful to lose him. With Bones recovery from injury, it might give Stipe more time to do nothing, then go out in the octagon, got submitted and go home with a cheque
With Aspinal it is getting punched in the face in 2 months