TOM ASPINALL wants to cross over into the WWE after he’s finished conquering the mixed martial arts world.

The Wigan warrior is on the cusp of becoming the UFC‘s heavyweight champion and currently holds the interim version of the title.

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A unification bout against the winner of undisputed titleholder Jon Jones‘ showdown with Stipe Miocic next month awaits the fan favourite.

Aspinall, 31, has no doubt in his mind that he’ll eventually reach the summit of the heavyweight mountain, although he doesn’t want to hang around for too long and become a relic of the sport.

And the Atherton Assassin is open to swapping the Octagon for the WWE ring once he brings an end to his already stellar career.

Speaking to SunSport at WWE Live in Manchester, he said: “When I have retired from MMA, I’m switching over to WWE.

“And I’m going to be the WWE heavyweight champ.”

Aspinall, who had one of the best seats in the house for Wednesday’s show, certainly has the stature and strength of a potential WWE superstar.

The UK’s third UFC champ stands at 6’5 and weighed a whopping 18 stone for his July demolition job of Curtis Blaydes.

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And he didn’t look out of place as he entered the ring and showed off his heavyweight hardware in front of a raucous crowd at the Co-op Live Arena following Cody Rhodes‘ shock introduction.

He also cut an impressive promo after being interrupted by Gunther, who received a chorus of booes for cutting off the local lad.

There is a path for Aspinall to enter the WWE as wrestling‘s premier promotion is under the same banner as the UFC.

The UFC joined forces with the WWE last year to form the TKO Group, which, as of last September, was valued at £16BILLION ($21.4B).

But his transition to the world of pro wrestling won’t happen until after he cements his legacy as the greatest heavyweight of all time.

A short-notice crack at the undisputed title could come Aspinall’s way if either Jones or Miocic are forced out of their rescheduled battle of legends.

Dana White and Co. have made him the official backup fighter for UFC’s 309 main event at Madison Square Garden.

Aspinall has made no secret of his desire to share the cage with Jones, saying after UFC 304: ” “I have nothing against Jon Jones as a person.

“But I think I’m the best heavyweight in the world. And if he thinks he’s the best heavyweight, then let’s settle it.

“It’s as simple as that, it’s not rocket science.

“There are two guys claiming to be the best heavyweight in the world. Let’s settle it.”

He added: “I’m the best heavyweight in the world. Prove me wrong, Jon. If you think you are, prove me wrong. It’s simple.”

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Bellator champion Johnny Eblen dubs himself and former UFC champion Sean Strickland the best middleweights in the world.

Eblen (15-0) defends his title against Fabian Edwards (13-3) in a rematch at Saturday’s PFL: Battle of the Giants main card (DAZN, ESPN+) at The Mayadeen. Eblen is undefeated in his professional MMA career, with his most recent four wins coming over Gegard Mousasi, Anatoly Tokov, Edwards, and Impa Kasanganay. Meanwhile, Strickland has won four of his past five fights, including a title win over Israel Adesanya.

Having trained with Strickland at Xtreme Couture, Eblen spoke highly of the former UFC champ.

“I’m going to have to go with my boy Sean Strickland,” Eblen told MMA Junkie and other reporters at Wednesday’s media day. “Every time I go out and train with him in Vegas, it’s tough rounds. He gets me sometimes, and I get him sometimes.

“I think truly we’re the best middleweights in the world. The fact that I get to train with him, and we happen to be in different promotions right now is kind of cool. And that we get to train together, and also we’re both making good money.”

Eblen knocked out Edwards in the third round of their first title meeting in September 2023. The judges were split on the scorecards prior to the knockout, with one judge having Edwards up 2-0, one judge having Eblen up 2-0, and the third judge having it tied 1-1 heading into the third.

This time, Eblen wants to make sure he leaves no doubt that he’s the better fighter.

“I think I dominate every single minute of every single round,” Eblen said. “Whether I get a finish in the first or the fifth, it doesn’t really matter. I’m prepared for everything he’s going to throw at me. I don’t think he’s prepared for everything I’m going to throw at him.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for PFL: Battle of the Giants.

Growing suspicions of a cunning Formula 1 car ride height adjustment trick under parc ferme conditions has triggered an immediate FIA response from this weekend’s United States Grand Prix, Motorsport.com can reveal.

Sources have revealed that discussions have taken place between several teams and the FIA over recent weeks to discuss concerns that one unidentified outfit may have found a clever way to adjust front bib clearance between qualifying and the race.

Being able to raise and lower the bib, even by a small amount, between qualifying and the race would deliver a noticeable benefit in terms of perfecting the different ride height requirements between a low-fuel single-lap run and the needs for a heavier car over a race distance.

However, making such an adjustment would be a clear breach of F1’s technical regulations that outlaw changes to the aerodynamic configuration of the car – apart from the front wing – once the car is in parc ferme.

Article 40.2 of F1’s Technical Regulations outlines the components that can be changed, and the only changes in terms of bodywork that are allowed are: “The aerodynamic set up of the front wing may be adjusted using the existing parts. No parts may be added, removed or replaced.”

Article 40.9 adds: “A competitor may not modify any part on the car.”

To ensure that teams do not have devices that allow for easy modifications, the rules add: “it must be clear from physical inspection that changes cannot be made without the use of tools.”

Jo Bauer, Formula One Technical Delegate, FIA

Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images

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However, the suspicions that have erupted are that a team has designed its car in such a way that it was possible to adjust the clearance of the front bib – also known as a T-tray – through a change of settings inside the cockpit.

This alteration in theory could be easily done by a mechanic during the regular car assessment work that is undertaken between qualifying and the race, and would be undetected to outside observers.

It is understood teams have been alerted to the possibility of this happening through the design details of all cars needing to be uploaded to FIA servers on open-source components – which all competitors have access to.

The FIA has taken on board the concerns of teams about the possibility of such a device and has decided to take action from this weekend’s race in Austin.

But, while the governing body is clear that any such device that altered the front bib under parc ferme conditions would be illegal, it says it has received no conclusive evidence that such a trick has been used by anyone in F1.

However, with immediate effect, the FIA is changing procedures to check on front bib characteristics from Austin – and this could include using seals on any device that is used to alter the T-tray angle.

An FIA spokesman told Motorsport.com: “Any adjustment to the front bib clearance during parc ferme conditions is strictly prohibited by the regulations.

“While we have not received any indication of any team employing such a system, the FIA remains vigilant in our ongoing efforts to enhance the policing of the sport.

“As part of this, we have implemented procedural adjustments to ensure that front bib clearance cannot be easily modified.

“In some cases, this may involve the application of a seal to provide further assurance of compliance.”

The revelation about a potential trick system in F1 comes ahead of an intense end to the season, with six races remaining and the outcome of both titles closely fought.

Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba said he is “not a cheater” but accepted responsibility for the failed doping test that led to a ban.

Pogba’s four-year ban was reduced to 18 months earlier this month after the Court of Arbitration for Sport accepted his ingestion of a banned substance “was not intentional”.

The 31-year-old was suspended by Italy’s national anti-doping tribunal (Nado) in February after a drugs test found elevated levels of testosterone – a hormone that increases endurance – in his system.

“This is not me, I’m not a cheater,” Pogba told Sky Sports.

“I’m someone that loves my sport, I love the game and I would never, ever cheat. I like to win fairly.

“I’m a bad loser but I’m not a cheater.”

The reduced ban started from 11 September 2023, with sources close to the Pogba telling BBC Sport that he can resume training in January and will be eligible to play again from March.

“I take some responsibility because I took the supplement, ” Pogba added.

“I didn’t triple check, let’s say it like that, even if it came from a professional. If I have to be punished, I am fine with it, but it should never be four years.”

Pogba joined Juventus, reuniting with the Italian club in July 2022 after his contract at Manchester United expired.

He featured just 12 times across all competitions after returning to Turin, with injuries restricting his gametime in 2022-23, while he played just twice last season before he was pulled for the positive test.

Pogba remains under contract with Juventus, his deal is set to expire in the summer of 2026, and is looking forward to getting back to training with the rest of the squad.

“I would just like to be on the pitch, any pitch,” Pogba said.

“First it’s with Juventus. I want to be on the training with team mates, it’s tough to be alone, playing passes on to the wall.

“My main focus is to get back training, be fit and to be on the pitch doing what I love.”

Ian Machado Garry is putting the ball in Colby Covington’s court.

According to the undefeated welterweight contender, he has been pursuing a fight against Covington and Covington is yet to respond. Garry took to social media to give his take on the situation, which can be seen below.

“A month ago, I was offered a fight with Colby Covington,” Garry said. “It took me all of 20 seconds to respond to the e-mail saying, ‘Yes, I’m in.’

“A month later, we’ve still got no response from Colby. He’s avoiding me like the plague and there’s one reason and one reason only this fight isn’t happening and his name’s Colby Covington.”

Covington is yet to respond to Garry’s claim.

The callout makes a lot of sense for Garry, who seeks another statement win to secure a welterweight title shot. Covington sits at No. 6 in the UFC’s official rankings, one spot ahead of Garry. “The Future,” 8-0 in the UFC and 15-0 as a pro, is coming off of a unanimous decision win over former Bellator star Michael Page that failed to generate sparks.

Covington (17-4) has competed sporadically since 2019, though three of his appearances came in welterweight title fights. He lost twice to rival Kamaru Usman and in his most recent fight this past December, lost a lopsided decision to then-champion Leon Edwards.

PAUL POGBA has opened up on his relationship relationship with Jose Mourinho.

The midfielder played under the Portuguese manager at Manchester United between 2016 and 2018.

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Speaking to the Daily Mail, Pogba has claimed that the pair would often fall out but would be quick to make up with each other.

He said: “Our relationship was like boyfriend and girlfriend, we were breaking up and making up all the time.

“It started great, he was one of the reasons I went back to Manchester because I spoke to him and he convinced me to come back.

“I don’t know why it turned into a nightmare and us fighting. Because I wasn’t fighting. I didn’t start the fight.

“We disagreed like managers and players do sometimes. But there’s a lot of respect from me to him.

“f I see him tomorrow it’s a big hug! But one day we will have to sit down together and discuss it.”

Mourinho was the manager who brought Pogba back to Manchester United in 2016.

While they were at the club, they clashed multiple times, including in 2018 when Mourinho was unhappy that Pogba was posting on social media during a match that he missed.

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Mourinho claimed that the World Cup win in 2018 saw Pogba change and return to Man United “different”.

The midfielder had left Old Trafford four years earlier on a free transfer to Juventus.

What is DHEA?

PAUL POGBA tested positive for elevated levels of DHEA, a hormone that naturally occurs in the adrenal gland, in August 2023.

DHEA, or dehydroepiandrosterone, can be used to naturally boost testosterone production. It does not produce testosterone itself.

It is on the world anti-doping banned substances list and carries a maximum of four years if the athlete took it deliberately to enhance their performance.

DHEA can legally be sold over-the-counter in the US as a dietary product, known as prasterone.

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It is also taken as an anti-ageing therapy, and to treat depression and the symptoms of menopause, although there is little evidence to suggest it is effective, and it can cause serious side effects.

In 2022, UFC fighter Bobby Green received a six-month ban after testing positive for a DHEA.

Green said he had not realised that DHEA was banned after seeing a video on YouTube, and took the supplement after his wife bought it from a supermarket.

It was at the Italian side that he established himself as one of the best in Europe.

This prompted the Red Devils to splash £90million to bring him back to the club.

During his time at the club he won the Europa League and EFL Cup as well as making a total of 233 appearances.

Pogba, 31, left the club on a free transfer in 2022 at the expiration of his contract and rejoined Juventus.

His first season back in Italy was hampered by injuries before he was then banned for FOUR YEARS for doping.

However, his suspension reduced to 18-months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport earlier this month after an appeal.

He has insisted that he is not a cheater and that he took responsibility for taking the supplement but did not “triple check it”.

The former France international also revealed which club he would like to play for when he makes his return.

Pogba insisted that he would be keen to rejoin Juventus and even admitted that he would take a pay cut.

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Pogba’s career by numbers

Here is a look at Paul Pogba’s career so far…

Man United, 2009–2012 & 2016-2022

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• Appearances: 266
• Goals: 39
• Assists: 48
• Trophies: Europa League, EFL CUP

Juventus, 2012–2016 & 2022-2024

• Appearances 190
• Goals: 34
• Assists: 41
• Trophies: Serie A x4, Coppa Italia x2, Suppercoppa Italiana x2

France, 2013-2022

• Caps: 91
• Goals: 11
• Assists: 9
• Trophies: World Cup, Nations League