With Tom Aspinall now a few months into being the undisputed champion in his class, the discussion of where he sits among ‘the best of all time’ is well and truly underway, and if you ask one fellow MMA pro, he’s already “the greatest heavyweight” in the history of the UFC.
If you ask us, we’d still like to see the now highly unlikely fight between him and Jon Jones, just to have it on record, but we have no shame in admitting we lean towards our Greater Manchester bias.
Nevertheless, these are bold claims made by fighting peer Ian Machado ‘The Future’ Garry, who touched on the Atherton-born in a recent interview.
He had plenty of big words about his own potential bout against outspoken American competitor, Sean Brady, but also spent some time sharing his reverence for Tom ‘Honey Bagder’ Aspinall. It’s not the first time he’s shared his fandom either.
Speaking to GamesHub ahead of the local athlete’s next match-up against Ciryl Gane, Garry said simply: “Tom Aspinall sparks him. I don’t see that fight getting out of the first round, right? I think Tom is phenomenal.
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“I think he’s absolutely the best heavyweight we’ve ever seen in the UFC, and now he’s got the belt, he is the champion.”
Aspinall is set to take on the 35-year-old next month in Abu Dhabi, and was met with a somewhat surprising chorus of boos when he appeared at the most recent Fight Night in Paris last week.
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Then again, you could argue it was nothing more than a crowd full of Gane’s compatriots backing the Frenchman; either way, the Wigan warrior didn’t let it faze him much, simply allowing his native opponent to take the spotlight and largely shrugging off the reaction.
On the other hand, his attendance at the Accor Arena wasn’t entirely negative, as he was able to watch his Croatian teammate, Ante Delija, win on his UFC debut – the reaction to which saw Aspinall painted in a much more favourable light.
We’re sure these emotional scenes won over a few new fans.
Once again, Tom Apsinall will face Ciryl Gane in just a matter of weeks and is still being heavily considered the favourite – but is there a chance the underdog could surprise and deliver a shock result against the Manc mauler and reigning heavyweight champ?
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As for Garry, the Irishman may not be on the fight card for UFC 321 on October 25, but it’s clear he’s pushing to book a date with ‘ducking’ Brady, going on to tell the outlet: “I’m in a position where I have proven time and time again that I’ll fight anyone, anywhere, anytime, and I’m as game as game gets.
“So I want it publicly announced that if me and Sean Brady are fighting, it’s the number one contender fight. So Sean Brady should shut up and let me do all the heavy lifting, and he just needs to show up on fight night and lose. I have never ducked anyone in my life and I never will.”
What do you think: is Tom Aspinall the greatest heavyweight the UFC has ever seen, and if not, would you really want him to humour the rather bizarre notion of putting him to the test against Jon Jones, even though Dana White has already ruled him out?…
Featured Images — @C0MB4TT (via X)/TNT Sports (screenshot)/Hftrt275 (via WikiCommons)
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Antoine Semenyo has officially joined Manchester City
Danny Jones
Yes, Man City have got their man and further bolstered their offensive options, with Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo having officially joined the club.
Having emerged as one of the Premier League’s hottest properties over the past couple of years, Antoine Semenyo has gone from not only being an extremely prolific winger, but beyond a flavour of the month, with multiple teams expressing their interest in recent months.
That being said, despite being linked with local rivals Manchester United, current champions Liverpool and an already heavily staffed Chelsea side, MCFC have now won the race to sign Semenyo – one they seem to have been leading since the start.
Finally unveiled by club media on Friday, 9 January, Semenyo was pictured for the first time in the sky blue strip.
It was long after that the first reports of the deal being ‘agreed in principle” surfaced online, and it became clear that no other suitors stood a chance of snatching him away from the Etihad Stadium.
Semenyo’s release clause was set at £65 million, which is approximately the same figure they sold former striker Dominic Solanke to Spurs for, but inevitable add-ons and bonuses were likely to set a rough club record fee in terms of player sales.
Penning a five-and-a-half-year deal, the 26-year-old’s contract will take him through to at least 2031, with the London-born Ghanaian international still yet to hit his peak.
Frightening stuff for Premier League defenders, to say the least.
Sharing a message with his new fan base via the full club statement, Semenyo said: “I am so proud to have joined Manchester City…
“They have set the highest of standards, and it’s a club with world-class players, world-class facilities and one of the greatest managers ever in Pep. I have so much scope for improvement, so to be at this club, at this stage of my career, is perfect for me. It’s a real privilege to be here.
“My best football is yet to come, I am sure of that. And City are in a great position – still involved in four competitions. I really feel I can help them have a strong second half of the season. The Etihad is my new home. I can’t wait to play in front of the fans here, and I hope to show everyone what I can do.”
Happy with the business, Blues? And as for you neutrals, do you think it’s the right next step for him?
Watch Semenyo’s first full interview as a Manchester City player.
Manchester United fans planning another major protest amid more upheaval around the club
Danny Jones
Manchester United supporters look set to stage another high-profile demonstration in protest against the INEOS Sports ownership group.
This is the latest response to the club’s continuing struggles, and not just the first proper organised mobilisation of the year, but the first since the most recent major march last spring.
Following the sacking of ‘manager’ Ruben Amorim, despite co-owner Jim Ratcliffe and his board of executives insisting that the Portuguese head coach (that distinction proving to be a crucial detail), the local sporting giants are once again starting from scratch and looking for another replacement boss.
With that in mind, militant fan group The 1958 announced their most recent protest ahead of a home fixture next month in a rather bold fashion…
As announced we protest against this dysfunctional co-ownership before Fulham.
Yep, neither Amorim, Erik ten Hag, Ole Gunnar Solskjær, nor any face even remotely associated with Old Trafford/Carrington is safe from an AI parody.
As for The 1958 group’s actual protest plans, speaking via the BBC this week, the supporters’ trust has confirmed that they will be making a vocal statement outside the stadium on Sunday, 1 February.
Travelling Reds already made their thoughts known with a very blunt, provocative and somewhat controversial banner in the away end at Turf Moor for the 2-2 draw against Burnley.
With Man United approaching a third-round FA Cup tie against Brighton and two big games in the form of a Manchester Derby at home and a trip to Arsenal, they have decided to choose the Fulham game at Old Trafford to stage the march.
Despite admitting that the results under Amorim were no way near good enough, they insist that the – most notably the overarching and Glazer family shadow ever looming over the organisation.
Further details around the actual timings and locations are still yet to be shared by the organisers, but you can expect this to be a well-attended, large-scale event.
Often convening at The Tollgate pub near regular matchday tram stop, Trafford Bar, before walking down Talbot Road towards the ground itself, we imagine Reds will then descend upon the Theatre of Dreams in their thousands.
In case you didn’t already surmise from the video itself, Ratcliffe and co. will be no doubt the subject of the usual chants, as well as more banners and flags.
What do you make of the latest plans, Man United fans?
Nothing will ever be quite as bold as the infamous Old Trafford break-in from 2022 (Credit: The Manc)
Danny Jones -
9th September 2025 
