UFC vet talks Michael Chandler vs. Charles Oliveira, Jon Jones praises Tom Aspinall, UFC 309 to use old gloves: MMA News Roundup
A UFC veteran weighs in on Michael Chandler vs. Charles Oliveira, Jon Jones praises Tom Aspinall and UFC 309 fighters are set to use old gloves.
Find out more details in today's (Nov. 13) Sportskeeda daily news roundup.
#3. Anthony Smith doesn't believe Michael Chandler will be able to control himself against Charles Oliveira
Anthony Smith has shared his thoughts on Michael Chandler's upcoming bout against Charles Oliveira. Chandler is set to make his return to the octagon after two years, with the pair scheduled to co-main event UFC 309 this weekend.
Speaking on the Believe You Me podcast, Smith was asked whether or not he believes Chandler will be able to control himself against 'Do Bronx', as like many of his bouts in the UFC octagon, the American often goes for broke. Smith said:
"Not a chance… when he (Chandler) fought Poirier, I was right behind Rogan, and I was like, ‘This is going to be an amazing fight, he’s going to fight smart.’ He tried...He knew that he had been really successful with the wrestling, but there was this devil on the other shoulder saying, ‘Just go for broke,’ and he couldn’t help it. He’s in this battle, trying to pull back, but then going for it again.”
Catch Smith's comments here (46:38):
#2. Jon Jones praises Tom Aspinall for his ambition
Jon Jones has praised Tom Aspinall for his desire to fight him and unify the heavyweight titles. 'Bones' is currently preparing to defend the heavyweight belt against Stipe Miocic this Saturday. Despite both men being among the biggest stars in the promotion, a majority of fans have disregarded the fight and instead, have called for Jones to face Aspinall, who is the interim champion.
The British fighter has also spent the last year calling for a bout against Jones, but the 37-year-old has regularly dismissed a potential fight between the two. Speaking in a recent interview with ESPN MMA, Jon Jones praised Aspinall for pushing for the fight against him, but once again he stated he has his eyes elsewhere:
"Everyone wants to fight me, that's just what it is...Conor [McGregor] calls it, 'Red Panty Night'? Tom's head is in the right place. He should want to fight the top guys in the world. I believe that he has time to fight the top guys in the world. As far as fighting me right now, I'm fighting Stipe [Miocic] and you don't make it this far in a UFC career looking past your opponents."
Check Jones' comments here (7:10):
#1. UFC 309 set to use old gloves instead of the ones introduced in June
UFC 309 is set to take place this weekend on Nov. 15 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Whilst all eyes are on the stacked card, some news this weekend has turned heads after it was revealed that the fighters will be wearing the old MMA gloves for the pay-per-view and not the new ones, which were introduced back in June of this year.
Ariel Helwani was the first to break the news and also added that as of now, the promotion is yet to provide a reason for the change. He tweeted:
"UFC has informed the fighters competing on Saturday’s 309 card in NYC that they will be using the old gloves not the new ones introduced back in June, per multiple sources. Specific reason unclear at the moment.”