UFC veteran rejects Sean O'Malley's apology, Tom Aspinall reacts to Jon Jones' fight announcement, and more: MMA News Roundup
Sean O'Malley apologized for losing to Merab Dvalishvili at Noche UFC, but an MMA legend said there was no need for that. Elsewhere, Tom Aspinall reacted to Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic being officially announced.
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"Apology REJECTED." - Chael Sonnen to Sean O'Malley
Sean O'Malley took to X after losing the bantamweight title at Noche UFC on Saturday, Sept. 14, and apologized to his fans:
"Over promised under delivered. Sorry. Love you guys."
Chael Sonnen, who often has vivid opinions on all things MMA, reacted to O'Malley's statement. The veteran said that O'Malley's achievements were beyond the measurement of victory or defeat because of his stardom and legacy:
"You took a division that once didn't exist and at another time was going to be dropped into the most watched division in the sport. You broke ALL TIME gate record and tried to win until the bitter end. Apology REJECTED. Wasn't needed."
Tom Aspinall reacts to Jon Jones vs Stipe Miocic
Jon Jones will finally return to the octagon at UFC 309, putting his heavyweight belt on the line after nearly a year and a half. He will fight Stipe Miocic, as he has been saying this whole time, at New York City's Madison Square Garden.
Tom Aspinall, who has been pitching for a title unification bout with Jones for a long time now, said in his reaction to the announcement that he will be prepared to fight either or both of them on that night:
"At long last. Finally. We are confirmed for it. I, of course, will be there to watch these two gentlemen go at it. I, of course, have told the UFC that if anybody gets injured or [for] any other reason anybody can't make it to the fight or one of them might pull out, I'm ready to go. If I needed to, I'd fight them both the same night. No problem. Give me my undisputed title, because, in my opinion, it should not be two champions in one weight division. I think that is silly."
Watch Tom Aspinall's comments below (10:00):
Alexa Grasso addresses UFC 306 title loss to Valentina Shevchenko
In a historic first-ever women's trilogy fight in the history of the promotion, Alexa Grasso put her flyweight belt at stake against Valentina Shevchenko at Noche UFC and came up short. 'Bullet' dominated Grasso throughout all five rounds, nipping all of the Mexican's attempts at a comeback in the bud.
Following the event, Grasso issued a statement on social media on the unanimous decision loss:
"I want to thank you all for your support. It wasn't the night I wanted. I'll be back training and I promise the next fight will be much better. I love you all." [Translation: Google Translate]