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Brett Ocomoto
After a rare weeks, UFC is back into action later this week Derric Lewis And Tallisan Tesira Nashville, Tennessee to UFC Fight Knight (9 pm at ET, ESPN/ESPN+6 pm).
This is a timely showcase as the news of former heavyweight champion John jones‘Retirement still feels fresh within the MMA community. Jones, 37, is the largest ever, and its retirement is well-worthy-he opted to handle the end of his career, yet somewhat surprising. By attracting your decision for only six months, only No fight Tom aspinolJones left the game SmearHe has expressed interest in fighting on the proposed 2026 White House Card, and UFC CEO Dana White confirmed on “Full Send Podcast” on Wednesday that Jones Doping Anti-Doping Test is back to the pool.
While we wait to see what the next task of Jones brings, the show moves forward. Aspinall (15-3) has been extended from interim to undisputed champion and has said that he hopes that UFC will soon announce defense of its first title. Meanwhile, Lewis (28–12), a 10-year-old experienced and fan favorite, will square with 25-year-old Teixira, one of Division’s best up-end-commerce, who has abolished each of his eight professional opponents in the first round.
There are major questions around this division as it moves beyond Jones. Let’s reset the weight class and take stock of the stars, depth and future contenders in front of this weekend.
With the retirement of Jones, is there anyone on the UFC roster that is a serious threat to the title of Aspinol?
This is MMA – and Weighted MMA on it. Each contender of this division has a one-punch knockout power. Historically, it has been the most difficult title for rescue in the UFC, because in a sense, everyone is a threat.
With that disconnection, no, right now, there are no clear threat to aspinol.
Aspinall has already defeated three of the top six Divisional ranking of ESPN ,Curtis blades, Alexander Volkov And Sergei pavlovich) Inside the first round. The resume of Aspinall is one of the reasons why the retirement of the jones is very disappointing. Fans do not get the megafite that they wanted, and are not a clear barnburner to make it.
Another bad news for the ground: Espinol UFC is one of the youngest aristocratic heavyweight on the roster. So if the current crop of talent struggles to challenge him, do not expect the undefeated challenge of age, either to say. Aspinall dominance (seven first round finish in nine UFC shows) may be for some time.
Now for some glass-huff-complete analysis: Cyril GainThere are holes in the game, but he has raw talent and physical characteristics to give aspinol a run for his money. She needs to set up his skills and mental game, but if he reaches his full capacity, we can become one of the great rivals in Espinol vs. Gains in heavyweight history.
What quarrels need to be made in 2025 to rule the heavyweight division?
Aspinall vs. Gain is a great matchup that will receive steam, UFC should book it next. But the one who will actually start this division – which, if we are honest, have stabilized for some time – Espinol vs. Alex Perera,
One reason is that Jones went to heavyweight after a long light heavyweight championship run in 2023. He saw an easy window to catch the second belt. It was a smart business for Jones then, but its retirement throws the division back at a low point. The UFC can change that story by booking “superfite” between Aspinol and Perera. The problem is a former champion Perera in the Middleweight and Light Heavyweight, which is undersigned and has its own business left at 205 pounds.
So what else will increase enthusiasm? If Lewis gets a knockout at the end of this week in Nashville, the fan for Espinol vs. Lewis will be hungry. This will not understand from the perspective of a ranking, as Lewis has been ranked at number 9 by UFC, but I will not feel like watching that matchup. There are probably not a lot of quarrels left. Will the UFC intensify the experienced route for a title shot? We have seen worse for promotion.
Does the depth deficiency in heavyweight affect how the rule of Aspinol will be seen?
Unfortunate Answer: How can it not happen? Jones are retired, but still a part of this conversation, because he is the one who has just evacuated the undisputed title. Jones earned his position as “the greatest of all time” through excellence, but it was certainly not hurt that he came at a time as a light heavyweight when the partition was filled with large names. Maurisio “Shogun” Rua, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, Rashad Evans, Lyoto Machida, Daniel Cormier, Vitor bellfort, Chel Sonanan, Glover Texira, Alexander Gustafson, Chicil – These are large -scale names. When it comes to domestic names, the resume of aspinol will be yellow, and he cannot do anything about it.
What he can do continues his opposition in round 1. The first round stagnation is an impossible high bar to clarify on a regular basis-what he has done. He needs a second round to finish one of his 15 wins. If he continues to post those types of results, his record will stand without big names.
And aspinol will get some credit as a man that retires Jones, without the need to fight him anytime.
Can 25 -year -old Teixeira compete for a heavyweight belt from 30?
Almost certainly, the depth deficiency in the heavyweight and the possibility of aspinol through a long list of contenders in the short order. The division will need to take steps such as new faces such as Teixeira and take fast steps. “Next big thing” will eventually appear in heavyweight, hopefully soon. Perhaps it will be Teixeira on Saturday.
