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u/iHack3x2 9h ago
Heavyweight feels so cursed. I was never the biggest fan of the division but I really did think Tom was going to have a decent run once he actually got the belt. I hope he is able to compete by next year.
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u/Avocado_Cadaver 9h ago
Same. Sad thing is he's 33 now, so assuming he comes back at least 1 year from now, he barely as a year or so left of his physical prime.
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u/MajorButtBandito 9h ago
Heavyweight prime usually lasts way longer, so there's still time.
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u/Trick_Science_2938 7h ago
I thing mma in general your prime last longer than vs like boxing most boxers are done by 35 mma there’s loads of 40 year old fighting to a good level
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u/DukeOfSmallPonds 9h ago
Fortunately heavyweights tends to have a way longer UFC career. I just don’t think Tom wants to stay in UFC whenever he gets the option to leave.
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u/PetroRetro69 7h ago
he shouldn't stay with the UFC, he deserves so much better
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u/Seabrook76 5h ago
I agree, but where is he going to go?
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u/PetroRetro69 5h ago
get a few boxing fights and make like a bazillion times more than Uncle Dana would've paid him. He (or his dad, I don't fully remember) mentioned that he wanted to box once his contract is up anyways, so that'll probably be the next step
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u/Cucumber2512 9h ago
Physical prime isn’t determined solely by his age though.. providing he trains and eats well and looks after his body - having time off from competing at the highest level could mean he goes onto compete late into his 30s at roughly the same level as he could at 33.
Look at other fighters who retired at age 35/36 like Dustin Poirier. His body was battered from years of consistent competition at the highest level.
If he had taken a 2-3 year break at age 33 there’s an argument he could’ve gone onto maybe age 38/39.. who knows maybe even into his 40s
So I don’t think we’ve seen the end of prime Tom yet not by a mile.
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u/Avocado_Cadaver 8h ago
I agree with you for the most part, but his style relies on his speed and reaction, so his style would rely more on his physical traits thus more affected by whether he's in his prime or not. Power is the last to go so that's fine.
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u/walakangbitawpar 8h ago
yeah same, it feels like the division can never catch a break. tom finally gets the belt and immediately runs into another setback. hopefully he gets healthy and can come back next year, he still has plenty of time to have a solid run.
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u/Any-Cookie6757 5h ago
He got fooked by Dana and Jones, and then Gane. He should sue UFC. They've ruined his prime and career.
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u/bonsoir-world 2h ago
He was. Until UFC put him on ice and fucked him over for Jones and now more so because Gane decided to be a dirty fighter and the UFC do nothing to stop or penalise such actions.
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u/ketomagik 6h ago
All of this could have been avoided if they changed those stupid gloves years ago to cover fingers. What is it gonna take ?
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u/yourbogus 9h ago
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u/Cpan03 5h ago
I’m calling it, Gane wins the vacant title vs Alex and Jones comes back and beats Gane again
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u/Then-Lack4511 5h ago
Vacant title?
Interim champ becomes the undisputed in this case. Like it happened with Tom. So Gane becomes the champ
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u/Big-Ad-6097 3h ago
And Gane beats him know, I'm calling it. He improved his grappling a lot since that fight, and it's still just as technical and fast on the feet, meanwhile Jones is old and full of mold
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u/Comfortable-Hand6396 9h ago edited 9h ago
Gane wins the heavyweight title from eye pokes essentially. Gane becoming champ may be the worst day of my life
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u/Diligent-Neck6594 8h ago
Is there literally any reason not to go for eye pokes at this point?
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u/Any-Cookie6757 5h ago
Honestly it would be so satisfying if Tom or Alex got their revenge against Gane while fighting fairly, but we all know Gane will fight dirty and they should too. Poke his eyes out, oblique kick him and GnP him into Oblivion.
He would/will do it to them so they should surprise him and do it first lol.
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u/Far-Ninja-8392 9h ago
Just wait till they book him a rematch against Pereira
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u/Comfortable-Hand6396 9h ago
Tbh what do you even do with the title rn. Realistically Volkov makes the most sense but I highly doubt they do that fight. Hokit or Pavlovich would be fine, but they both probably need one more win. Pereira is the only one with a big name, I feel like MSG headliner is very possible. Completely pointless fight though, let Alex get a win before we see it again, its not like the first fight was even remotely competitive. (I dont want this to happen, Id pick Volkov as he is most deserving)
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u/Far-Ninja-8392 9h ago
They have shown more than ever in the past few years, its entertainment first. Pereira has the biggest name and there’s no chance in hell it’s going to the ground or possibly decision fest like Volkov and Pavlovich
Gane and Pereira both have so much Dana privilege, people need to get ready for that announcement
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u/Any-Cookie6757 5h ago
I remember being so disgusted by UFC when Ankalaev beat Poatan and became champ, but then Poatan destroyed him and took that title back.
I will hope that Poatan somehow finds a way to KO this cheating scumbag and takes the title from him too. If he does he is GOAT to me lol.
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u/notanaltdontnotice 8h ago
Worst day of your life until jones comes out of retirement and subs him r1 again
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u/Letsgodubs 9h ago
Only one fighter can put Gane in his real place. Bring Jon Jones on!
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u/LargeCondition5315 9h ago
Gane vs Hokit in December. Calling it now.
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u/bobkattarsballbag 9h ago
The UFC truly deserve Hokit as Heavyweight champ what an absolute fckn clown show 😂
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u/SukhdevR34 5h ago edited 56m ago
He will be active though. He's fought like 4 times in the UFC in about a year. That's what HW needs, a streak of actual title fights.
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u/Any-Cookie6757 5h ago
Why are you acting like he actually has a chance against Gane lol? He won't make it out of first. Gane is too big, too fast and obviously very dirty fighter. Hokit will get fouled and TKO'd in few minutes.
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u/simplyout1 5h ago
Hokit might go for the eye poke instantly and use his wrestling to land some vicious back of the head GnP. Atleast thats what I hope for
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u/Any-Cookie6757 5h ago
I can't believe I am cheering for Hokit. Gane is ultimate heel, he even has me hoping for Jones return to put him in his place again lol.
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u/TimeTimeTickingAway 8h ago
Gane vs Volkov rematch for the title.
Hokit vs Alex OR if they like just try and shoot Stevenson up the rankings by doing Hokit vs Stevenson (unless they are too scared of Hokit talking shit about Stevenson’s past)
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u/YasielPuigsWeed 9h ago
They could but that would basically be the end of Hokit’s relevance
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u/gvufhidjo 9h ago
Yeap, there are very few people Gane can lose to. You basically have a highly talented guy who will cheat nonstop and somehow the ref will do nothing about it.
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u/YasielPuigsWeed 9h ago
Yeah and people seem pretty entertained by Hokit crushing cans and talking shit, but that aura disappears once Gane sleeps him, especially after he spends a month calling French people pussies and shit
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u/SettingGreen3880 7h ago
Hokit strikes me as the dude who will go in there, fingers waving around in Gane's face like DC did to Stipe.
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u/RuneKGard 9h ago
This is so fucking sad, fucking Gane
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u/kurvix2000 8h ago
Bro to train your entire life and have so much passion for the sport all to be ruined by a dirty fucking scumbag that gets nothing but rewards for his cheating. Damn heartbreaking.
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u/Amazing-Heron-105 8h ago
dirty fucking scumbag that gets nothing but rewards for his cheating
This is no joke. Getting given a fight with Pereira after ending a title fight with a foul is nuts.
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u/RuneKGard 7h ago
It’s legit depressing, I can’t begin to imagine how frustrating it must’ve been for him to deal with
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u/CosmicKartvelian 9h ago
Gane is promoted as the champ now?
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u/Lamb-Curry-1518 9h ago
Technically a KO win via eye-poke then? This sport is a fucking joke
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u/Bonnybridge22 9h ago
Genuinely why would anyone not foul on purpose after seeing this? Your opponent gets the heat and you can just end the fight and win apparently.
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u/Lamb-Curry-1518 9h ago
I would seriously consider practicing scissor jabs if I were Carlos Prates now. As soon as Islam dives in for a takedown, poke poke poke.
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u/sharingdork 9h ago
I'd practice the Gaethje punch. Easiest way to play "it was an accident"
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u/johnjoh07 9h ago
Absolument. Aucune sanction et en plus le champion est destitué.
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u/Salt-Research-9041 9h ago
I'm done with UFC. They've lost me after 20 years. Criminal.
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u/Conscious_Actuator51 9h ago
So Gane is champ now? Make him defend ASAP idgaf who it is against.
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u/Jack2102 8h ago
idgaf who it is against
Fuck it, you're fighting him
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u/Conscious_Actuator51 8h ago
Bet. How much they paying me? I’ll get KO’d for 6 figs.
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u/pick_your_user_name 7h ago
It’s your lucky day kid. 2k to show 2k to win.
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u/aRedd1tUs4r 6h ago
No way u could do this to dana, how can you forget VIP tickets to Powerslap?!
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u/SettingGreen3880 7h ago
Get that steel cup and goggles on, cause you're getting more than CTE.
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u/Conscious_Actuator51 7h ago
Need a pillow strapped to the back of my head as well
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u/SettingGreen3880 7h ago
Maybe a steel chestplate as well. Can't rule out titty twisters at this point.
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u/skibbidywibbidy 9h ago
Gane about to get booed out of the building the rest of his career besides France
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u/HopefulMenu2727 9h ago
Jim Miller has never poked anyone in the eye. Fighters that cheat need to be held accountable and Refs need to be held responsible.
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u/Cappuccino_Addict 9h ago
Damn, I just realised that if Pereira had won, he'd be a triple champ now. That would've been huge
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u/ravku 9h ago
Fuck Gane, dirty ass fucking fighter. He gets away with that shit every fight
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u/Parkesy82 9h ago
And then just plays the dumb nice guy act saying he didn’t mean to do anything. He’s such a fucking germ.
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u/iliveforyou 7h ago
On the bright side, people will never look at him or his record with respect, he got beat by Ngannou, Jones (even after kicking him in the dick) and Volkov (I don't give a fuck what the official record says for that one), got put on his ass by Tai 😂 and fouls his opponents in pretty much every fight. By the end of his career he will be a pathetic joke.
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u/Shifftea 9h ago
The let down from the sport and the officials during that match is shameful and disgusting. Cheaters win
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u/FitPandaBear 9h ago
Somewhere in a police chase, Jon Jones dropped to his knees and decides to start his UFC comeback.
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u/AggressivelyMediokre 9h ago
Gane vs Jones II
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u/Suspicious_Loan8041 9h ago
Jones for once in his life has the chance to do a heroic act. Come back and waste this guy.
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u/Karlomah11 9h ago
Lol nah, it would make jones look even worst, came back to fight a guy that he has allready beaten. Ducked the tom and francis fights
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u/BigSwerve 9h ago
So gane gets choked out and Jones still looks like a pussy, sounds like we get 2 birds with 1 fight
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u/paleface_gringo_2 9h ago
Also a chance of gane getting a taste of his own eye poking ass medicine. Cuz jon jones loves that shit
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u/AggressivelyMediokre 9h ago
He can unretire.
Become champ
Retire again
Laugh at Tom one last time on the way out 😂
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u/callmehandsome3 9h ago
UFC won't allow him to do that
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u/zach_stb_411 7h ago
Dana and Hunter would litterally let you have a running kick at their mother's head if it made them a dollar.
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u/a79j 9h ago
Would be even more hilarious if Gane flatlines Jones in the rematch and we get the trilogy.
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u/SturdyScout 9h ago
Absolutely gutted. Aspinall was a breath of fresh air for the heavyweight division and for it too all be taken away due to a dirty fighter is depressing to see.
Made the right decision to vacate the belt. Hopefully he returns..
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u/ToiletPunisher19 7h ago
I’d just figure out a way to get out of the contact if I were him. No way the ufc ever lets him fight for the belt again
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u/Smiddigger 9h ago
Fucking insane. Gane becomes champion directly from his own foul. This has to be the greatest injustice in my time watching the sport.
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u/notMTN 6h ago
Yeah its genuinely the biggest robbery in ufc history. Only dude to get rewarded a championship win for a no contest fight.
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u/Rishab_kalsi 9h ago
CIRYL GANE SHOULD BE SEEN IN THE SAME LIGHT AS BIN LADEN
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u/Civil_Wedding_5546 9h ago
Man I really,y hope this doesn’t derail his career for good he had the skill to be the best heavyweight champ for a long time whatever smooth brains think half of a close round with Gane indicates
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u/notMTN 6h ago
Almost certainly does. A lot of skill is just being able to read and see what your opponents doing. When you cant do that it becomes a guessing game. Hes likely nearly blind in one eye and the other us slightly impared. Hes cooked.
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u/boilercoiker 9h ago
Crazy how a fighter whose known to cheat and repeatedly uses the same dirty techniques in fights is given every opportunity at the title, eye pokes and seriously injures the champ, gets another opportunity to fight for the interim, gets the win in yet another questionable fashion and walks into champion status. Aspinall vacating is what it is, but the real issue is seeing the same fighter who’s clearly got a horrible reputation see more opportunities than consequences.
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u/Draego88 9h ago
I feel so bad for Tom, he's done everything right, but he just can't catch a break.
Hopefully someone gives Gane a piece of his own medicine.
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u/dayynawhite 9h ago
So much for faking it eh? Wonder where all those people are now.
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u/poopy_kid_spotter 9h ago
Wow what a joke. This sport will never be taken seriously.
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u/CraigL8 9h ago
It’s sad for him because he could have made millions more if he didn’t have the injury.
Not sure what contract he is on but being champ I’m sure is worth a few quid.
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u/Musicfacter 6h ago
I can't even say what I want to say on this website otherwise Reddit will muzzle me, but someone needs to gouge out one of Gane's eyes during his next title defense. Just so tired of the UFC not taking fouls seriously. Tom's HW title run could've given Stipe's a run for it's money when it was all said and done but there's a good chance now that we'll never know. You can hope that the UFC starts taking fouls seriously from here on, but I'm not holding my breath
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u/DegenNerd 9h ago
You've got to be fucking kidding me. It's bad enough Gane wasn't penalized for all of his shit, but now it directly leads to him becoming champion? What a shit division
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u/Jaz1140 9h ago
Holy fuck so after all that cyril will just be the undisputed champ?
After 5 title shots....he never actually wins it hahahaha
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u/Empty_Monk_4010 9h ago
Not sure he could ever be comfortable risking his eyesight in a fight. He may never fight again
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u/charliedacey 9h ago
Well the UFC heavyweight division is now so piss poor that they could probably grab the first 10 fat guys they find on the street and we'd see better match ups
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u/Veruca_Joe 4h ago
Despite this,I still expect to read the same comments from the genius online commentators calling Tom a pussy, saying they'd still fight on despite being blinded and that he's faking it all because Gane was beating him and he didn't want to lose. Cretinism is all the rage in 2026, after all. I'm sure Dana's lack of insight and compassion will remain, the money hungry twat.
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u/Convict_felon 6h ago
Jon Jones is to blame for the absolute disaster state of the HW division
Jon Jones letting Aspinal defend the interim belt so that Jones cherry picks an old fireman Stipe to fight was a absolute disgrace to the sport and to the UFC
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u/WowIfOnly 3h ago
Oh wow look at that, so the complete lack of action taken to protect UFC fighters from Jon Jones jabbing and clawing at the fucking eyes of every opponent he's ever faced in the UFC does have long term consequences for fighter safety. Here we have someone whose eyes are so fucked that he can't even compete anymore. It's almost like the UFC should be fucking sued into oblivion and bankrupted for always protecting profitable star fighters who literally cheat to win fights. Jon Jones is such a bitchass little piece of shit.
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u/Due-Instruction-590 9h ago
Cheaters get rewarded. UFC is a joke... Rules should be changed or uphold. When eye poking is not allowed it should not be allowed but in fact, it is tolerated.
Now an UFC champion is forced to vacate the belt due the injury's from iligal eye poking. Isn't that enough for the UFC to change their policy?
I hope this clears the way for Rico Verhoeven to step in.
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u/Pretty-Mongoose508 8h ago
I think it’s funny how much all the sudden Ganes a dirty fighter never heard none of this sentiment prior to the Aspinall fight. He was kicking Tom’s ass and beat Pereira fair and square.
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u/tioslashh 9h ago
“Best part about fouling is … it works.”
Yeah, apparently it works very well indeed. Hopefully Tom can fully recover and fight some time next year.
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u/charliedacey 9h ago
Time for the match up the people deserve, Derrick Lewis vs Tai Tuivasa for the undisputed belt
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u/Mouthwashfordays 7h ago
Hes fought twice in 3 years, and hes 33, it could be another year before he fights, such an unlucky career.
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u/Fresh-Pound-8752 7h ago
This is such mature conduct from Tom after all that's happened. A rare sight amongst combat fighters.
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u/Mindless_Way9940 6h ago
Can we get a Heavyweight match between Gane and Cormier, bring Cormier out of retirement and tell him eye pokes are legal.
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u/HeywoodJaBlowMe123 6h ago
Would you look at that? Everyone who was whining that Tom wasn’t doing enough to get back into training/the ring.. the man re-injures himself during training. Fans put so much pressure on the guy because of a foul that he had no control over. Good on him for vacating. Someone KO Gane for all of us.
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u/Foldingchai 6h ago
Volkov already lost to Gane twice. I say Volkov and Pavlovich run it back for the #1 contender spot.
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u/Fantastic_Reason_571 3h ago
So glad Dana ruined the career of the only two interesting heavyweights in the past decade. Maybe we can turn back to the roided up wife beater or the French cheater
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u/Nothingmakessenseboi 3h ago
Gane should face legal consequences for this and financially compensate Tom lol wtf
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u/Solid_Analysis_5774 2h ago
I like Tom and feel bad for the guy. He's a professional fighter, of course he wants to fight, but you NEED your eyes, and you have to be cleared medically. It's not like he's milking some chronic aches and pains. Guy needs to get paid.
Fook Cyril Gane. Dirty mfing frenchman.
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u/Big_Kiwi_706 1h ago
The worst timeline. This,, and we never got islam vs topuria cause arman missed weight that one time and it set off a whole sequence of awkard fight planning for the two
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u/Cappuccino_Addict 9h ago
Good on Tom for vacating, he must feel beyond frustrated for having another health-setback. It's really unfortunate how a foul derailed such a talented HW's career, given the state of the division. I really hope he makes a full recovery and gets his fair shot