With doubts about Poatan and certainty in Chimaev, Tom Aspinall predicts UFC champions in 2025

Tom aspinall He is interim UFC champion. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

PUBLICITY:

While waiting backstage for his inevitable title shot against the heavyweight (up to 120,2kg) belt holder, Jon Jones, the interim champion of the category, Tom aspinall, played 'Mother Dinah' and sent her prediction of all UFC champions until the end of 2025, in all men's divisions.

The question to Aspinall was asked during the program Piers Morgan Uncensored, from the United Kingdom. The fighter was asked who would keep or lift the belts in each UFC category at the end of next year.

See too

VIDEO: Former UFC heavyweight pulls off rare submission in grappling event

Colby Covington breaks his silence and reacts to Chael Sonnen wanting to 'throw in the towel' at UFC Tampa

Good Year! Alex Poatan earned R$46 million from UFC belt defenses in 2024

For flyweight (up to 56,7kg), Aspinall believes that the Brazilian Alexandre pantoja will continue his reign throughout 2025. But the British fighter had another guess: Muhammad Mokayev, who looked set to challenge Pantoja for the title after defeating Manel kape on points at UFC Manchester in July. However, he was released from the UFC by Dana White, who announced that he was 'no longer under contract' after the fight.

“I mean, I would have to choose Muhammad Mokayev, but he's gone. So, Pantoja, I would say he'll still be there this time next year,” Aspinall said.

At bantamweight (up to 61,2 kg), the current champion Merab Dvalishvili faces Umar Nurmagomedov No. UFC 311, on January 19, in what will be the first defense of the bantamweight title won against Sean O'Malley. Aspinall already has his favorite.

“It would be between Merab and Umar. It’s an interesting fight, but I would support Merab, I think,” he revealed.

In the featherweight division (up to 65,7 kg), Aspinall even took a chance, but believes that the current champion Ilia Topuria will remain at the top without many problems.

“Featherweight… Hmm… I would say Lerone murphy will be there this time next year. But I still don't think he'll have won a title any time soon. I think it'll probably be the year after. I think Ilia Topuria will still be champion this time next year. Easy, easy,” he added.

In the lightweight (up to 70,3kg) and welterweight (up to 77kg) categories, Aspinall also believes there will be no changes until the end of 2025.

“Islam [Makhachev] will be the [lightweight] champion. Again, next year. And I think Belal [Muhammad] is extremely underrated and he will still be the [middleweight] champion next year,” he said.

Now things get interesting

Weight meeting: Jon Jones (left) in meeting with Tom aspinall (right). Photo: Reproduction/YouTube

The interim heavyweight champion said he always bet against the current middleweight champion (up to 83,9kg), Dricus Du Plessis. He tried not to do it again, but failed to nail the name of a fighter who is on an ever-growing hype.

“Right. I’ve picked against Dricus [Du Plessis] so many times, and I won’t do it again. But I think saying that Khamzat Shimaev not being champion next year is nonsense, so I'm going to say Khamzat”, he revealed.

In the light heavyweight category (up to 93kg), Aspinall had doubts about the current champion Alex Poatán, even though he is considered the fighter of the year with three successful belt defenses.

“I think Alex Pereira [as light heavyweight champion]. Oh, I don’t know. I think he has a tough fight with Magomed Ankalayev. I think it's a very tough fight, so I don't know. I don't know about this one. I'm going to sit on the fence. It's going to be one of the two. It's going to be Ankalaev or Pereira,” he said.

Aspinall was then asked about the elephant in the room: who he thinks will be the UFC heavyweight champion in 120,2? Dana White even offered a guarantee 100% that he is Jon Jones will fight next year, after Aspinall has challenged 'Bones' several times, without success.

“Oh, come on. This time next year, as Ricky Gervais said, we could be sitting in that hot seat. I’ll say this time next year myself, yes. Definitely,” the Brit concluded with a smile on his face.