Midnight Roundup! Tom Aspinall leaks UFC Manchester details, Yan Xiaonan breaks silence on smelling salt controversy, and more
Tom Aspinall has revealed details about UFC's upcoming event in Manchester. Elsewhere, Yan Xiaonan addressed the raging "smelling salt" controversy.
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Tom Aspinall claims he's fighting at UFC Manchester
Tom Aspinall revealed in a brief clip on TikTok that he's fighting in the Manchester event next, which has been confirmed by Dana White as the location for the promotion's return to the U.K.
The interim heavyweight champion said:
"I had a meeting with the UFC. It has now been confirmed that I am fighting on UFC Manchester. So, I’m back home preparing for that now."
He added that he is waiting for his opponent to sign the dotted lines. It has been reported that the event will be the UFC 304 pay-per-view.
Watch Tom Aspinall's comments shared by @SpinninBackfist on X:
Yan Xiaonan denies smelling salt allegations
Yan Xiaonan shoots down the controversy surrounding smelling salts.
Thanks to the live commentary, the rumor that Xiaonan's cutman used smelling salt to bring her around after the first round against Zhang Weili spread like wildfire.
Joe Rogan wondered live on the microphone whether it was allowed or not before Jon Anik could step in and clarify that they were mistaken - no smelling salts were used on Xiaonan.
The Chinese addressed the drama on the latest episode of The MMA Hour. She said:
"The smelling salts thing makes no sense. Nobody used those things to wake me up."
Kamaru Usman blames eye pokes for Justin Gaethje's loss
Justin Gaethje's teammate Kamaru Usman believes Max Holloway landed a couple of illegal moves that played a factor in 'The Highlight' losing at UFC 300.
During the latest episode of the Pound 4 Pound podcast with Henry Cejudo, Usman said:
"They were clear-cut legit eye pokes. It wasn't that Max was doing it maliciously or on purpose, they happen. These are the type of things that can alter the outcome of the fight."
Catch Kamaru Usman's comments below from 4:00:
"Sean Strickland and I can't be friends!" - Nina-Marie Daniele
Sean Strickland and Nina-Marie Daniele claim that they are best friends. Strickland often features in Daniele's videos and skits and are frequently spotted hanging out together.
However, after a recent tweet by Strickland stating that men and women cannot be platonic friends, Daniele tweeted that it would mean they no longer share their close friendship anymore. She tagged Paulo Costa, Strickland's next opponent, to accompany her in a video instead.
"Welp! I guess Sean Strickland and I can't be friends! Paulo Costa hit me up if you wanna do a funny video mdfk LOL"
Tom Aspinall recreates the Jon Jones moment with Francia James
After Sean O'Malley, Merab Dvalishvili and a bunch of other MMA stars, Francia James has now faced off with Tom Aspinall at a recent Power Slap League event.
'Francety' captioned the video:
"The UFC heavyweight champion always checking his reach advantage!"
In the clip, Aspinall is seen reaching for James' shoulder which she shrugs off coolly. It was a reference to his viral interaction with Jon Jones a few weeks ago where 'Bones' removed Aspinall's hand from his shoulders.
Watch Tom Aspinall's faceoff with Francia James below: