UFC 295 takeaways: What’s next for Pereira, Aspinall and two turbulent divisions?

UFC 295 concluded with two new champions, as Alex Pereira won the vacant light heavyweight title and Tom Aspinall won the interim heavyweight title. But with two divisions rife with questions, what’s next for the new champions and their weight classes? Brett Okamoto, Marc Raimondi and Jeff Wagenheim react to the night’s biggest storylines.

Jon Jones was scheduled to headline UFC 295 but had to pull out due to injury. As it turned out, the heavyweight champion and consensus MMA GOAT was a ghostly presence during Saturday night’s final two fights at New York’s Madison Square Garden.

First, the co-main event established Tom Aspinall as a #1 contender for Jones’ title. The UFC could instead opt to book Jones in the scheduled matchup against former champion Stipe Miocic once Jones’ pectoral tendon heals. But the injured champion’s return might not happen until next summer, when Miocic would be 42 and coming off a nearly three-and-a-half-year layoff.

Conversely, Aspinall showed in Saturday’s 69-second knockout of Sergei Pavlovich that he is championship material. The 30-year-old from Salford, England, just outside Manchester, now has an interim belt and – with no disrespect to Miocic – would be the best choice as a challenger for the club’s first title defense. Jones.

Jones also competed in the main event of UFC 295, contested in his former weight class, light heavyweight. After reigning at 205 pounds for the better part of a decade, Jones vacated the belt in August 2020 in order to move up to heavyweight. Since then, the belt has been a hot potato, passed around between six different fighters. The latest of them is Alex Pereira, the former middleweight champion, who was crowned light heavyweight champion on Saturday in only his second fight in the weight class.

Pereira won the title by knocking out one of Jones’ successors as champion, Jiří Procházka, at 4:08 of the second round in a fight that arguably didn’t go Pereira’s way just before it ended. Procházka, who had to relinquish the title a year ago after suffering a serious shoulder injury, was leading the way in Saturday night’s return to action until Pereira dropped him with a short left counter hook.

Procházka was injured by the punch and subsequent elbows to the side of the head, and Pereira ended up on him in full mount, at which point referee Marc Goddard intervened. The stoppage seemed too quick, even though Pereira was in prime position to do more damage, so the result could have been the same even if the fight had lasted a little longer.

Regardless, it wasn’t the kind of definitive beatdown that fans have become accustomed to for most of Jones’ reign. And until Pereira or someone else becomes a dominant force in the 205-pound division, “Jonny Bones” will remain an ethereal presence, all comparisons ranking second.

All credit goes to Pereira, the ninth two-division UFC champion and the second Brazilian to achieve the feat – joining Amanda Nunes. He’s on top of the 205-pound world, and his powerful fighting style and stoic personality resonates with fans. But even though Jones will never compete as a light heavyweight again, the former champion has not been replaced. — Wagenheim

Raimondi: Welcome the next generation of British champions

Michael Bisping waited for Aspinall before Aspinall headed backstage at Madison Square Garden. Aspinall had his head down, moved. The UFC interim heavyweight title hung over his right shoulder and he held it tightly. Aspinall had just eliminated Pavlovich to win the belt.

Bisping stopped Aspinall, who enveloped him in a giant hug. It was an incredible moment between Bisping, the UK’s first UFC champion, and Aspinall, the UK’s third and final UFC champion.

Bisping was a pioneer of MMA in England and greater Europe. Aspinall is a representative of the next generation, alongside UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards. The UFC now has two champions who call England home, meaning MMA couldn’t be in better health in the region.

There is, however, something special about a British heavyweight champion. Sure, it’s the interim belt, but UFC CEO Dana White even admitted that having a British heavyweight champion like Aspinall was a “home run.” Alas, Jones will be out for a while with a torn pectoral and he will likely fight Miocic upon his return in a legacy fight. Aspinall will be the one carrying the water for the UFC heavyweight division for months and could even defend the interim belt while the promotion waits for Jones and Miocic.

Aspinall having the title opens the doors to British MMA even further. White said he might reconsider his stance on doing a stadium show in the UK, which he was previously lukewarm about. But imagine a packed iconic football stadium like Old Trafford (Manchester United), Emirates Stadium (Arsenal) or Wembley Stadium, with Aspinall and Edwards leading the way. The scenes, as our friends across the Atlantic would say.

It’s also worth noting that Aspinall is only 30 years old. This is basically an infant in the heavyweight years. Former UFC heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier was 34 years old when he first joined the UFC, let alone being champion. It’s like the start of a new generation. One of them was wearing a Union Jack.

Okamoto: What’s next for Pereira, Aspinall and the other UFC 295 stars?

Alex Pereira, light heavyweight champion

Who should be next: Jamahal Hill

This division has been weird. Procházka left the match due to injury. Hill left the game due to injury. There was also a draw for the championship (Jan Blachowicz vs. Magomed Ankalaev). Finally, we have some momentum moving forward. Unfortunately, aside from Hill, there is no next title challenger for the belt. And unfortunately, he is not in good health at the moment. A torn Achilles tendon is a serious injury, and nothing can be taken for granted in Hill’s journey to recovery. That said, I see few compelling options for the UFC to move forward. So, for now, wait for Hill – even if that means waiting until mid to late summer.

Wildcard: Winner of Jan Blachowicz vs. Aleksandar Rakic

This fight hasn’t been officially booked yet, but it will likely be the next matchup. Neither is on a strong run, but if it’s Blachowicz, you can promote him as his latest move. For Rakic, it would be a new title challenger.

Jiří Procházka, light heavyweight

Who should be next: Nikita Krylov

Krylov has won three in a row and the UFC prefers to book winning streaks against winning streaks, but in this case it makes sense to move away from that. Krylov would have a higher ranked opponent and Pereira would have to defend his place in the rankings against a match opponent.

Wildcard: Antoine Smith

There’s still a chance Smith comes into play here. He’s a big name in the UFC, and a fight between Pereira and Smith could be an interesting addition to any UFC card, whether it’s a PPV or a Fight Night main event.

Tom Aspinall, heavyweight champion

Who should be next: Jon Jones

Let’s go. Come on. With all due respect to Stipe Miocic – he is the greatest heavyweight of all time – title shots are not lifetime achievement awards. I want to see Jones in a fight to determine if he is the best heavyweight on the planet. The only way to determine that is to book him against Aspinall. It’s also a big fight. Jones vs. Miocic may have more star power, but is it more profitable than Jones vs. Aspinall? I do not think so. Jones in England, to face the interim English champion? Scenes. Miocic hasn’t won a fight in over three years. Aspinall versus Jones is the fight.

Wildcard: Jailton Almeida

We’ll have to see what happens with the Jones-Miocic scenario. If they end up fighting, I believe they will both retire. And if that happens, I think Aspinall’s first defense for the undisputed belt would be against Almeida.

Sergei Pavlovich, heavyweight

Who should be next: Stipe Miocic

It’s not going to happen, but my honest answer as to who should be next is Miocic, unless Miocic retires. I firmly believe Jones should fight Aspinall next. So if Miocic wants one more shot at the belt, let him face Pavlovich to prove he still has it. As I mentioned, Miocic hasn’t won in three years. I’m not here to say bad things about Miocic, far from it. The man is the most accomplished heavyweight in UFC history. But the clear title fight to make is Jones vs. Aspinall, so let’s have something else in store for Miocic.

Wildcard: Sergey Spivac

I find this one much more likely. Spivac has shown a lot of potential in recent years, but is coming off a loss to Ciryl Gane. This makes perfect sense from a ranking perspective. Two guys with a lot of ceiling and a lot of gas in the tank.