Tom Aspinall just lately admitted he’s unsure whether or not he’ll ever have the chance to face Jon Jones within the Octagon.
Following his dazzling efficiency in entrance of his house crowd at UFC 304, the place he knocked out Curtis Blaydes in simply 60 seconds to safe his third consecutive knockout victory, the Brit continued to campaign for a title unification bout towards the reigning UFC heavyweight champion. Nonetheless, Jones has persistently rebuffed the problem, going as far as to undermine Aspinall’s place because the interim champion.
Aspinall is the present interim heavyweight titleholder, a title he claimed at UFC 295 in November 2023 after ‘Bones’ was pressured to drag out of his matchup with Stipe Miocic resulting from a torn pectoral muscle. Ideally, the 31-year-old Salford native could be gearing up for an undisputed championship bout later this 12 months. As an alternative, he stays on the periphery, whereas Jones is predicted to face Miocic in a battle focused for November.
Throughout a latest interview with MMAFightinonSBN, Aspinall was requested about the potential for ever going through “Bones.” The interim champ voiced his uncertainty and raised doubts about Jones’ intentions, questioning whether or not he’ll truly undergo with the battle towards Miocic.
Aspinall Opens Up About Serving As Backup for A Attainable Jones-Miocic Conflict
On the UFC 304 post-event press convention, UFC CEO Dana White confirmed that Aspinall will function the backup fighter in case both Jones or Miocic is unable to step into the Octagon.
Within the aforementioned interview, Aspinall expressed his eagerness to step in because the backup and asserted his confidence and readiness in his skills to defeat each Jones and Miocic, even on a day’s discover.
The opportunity of a Jones vs. Aspinall showdown is fascinating the MMA neighborhood, but its realization seems distant. Jones stays resolute in his intention to face Miocic upon his return and has even suggested that he might retire after that fight.