Tom Aspinall is asking it like it’s.
Saturday’s UFC 309 primary occasion options heavyweight champion Jon Jones taking up Stipe Miocic in what’s being billed as a conflict of legends, with Jones being extensively considered one of many biggest fighters of all-time and Miocic holding the document for many title defenses (4) by a heavyweight in UFC historical past.
Notably not a part of the headliner is Aspinall, the reigning interim heavyweight champion that has regularly referred to as for Jones to fulfill him in a unification bout. Jones and Miocic had been initially scheduled to battle 12 months in the past, however the bout was postponed as a consequence of Jones struggling a pectoral harm. The UFC determined to remain the course with the matchup, leaving Aspinall to defend his title within the meantime whereas nonetheless carrying the interim tag.
Aspinall is ready to weigh in as a backup for Saturday, however he nonetheless wonders why it’s not him vs. Jones within the first place.
“Massive heavyweight title battle this weekend,” Aspinall mentioned on his YouTube channel. “Little bit of a wierd one as a result of in all honesty, who is actually that on this battle being a title battle? I’ve by no means mentioned something about Jon Jones’ profession or Stipe’s profession and I by no means will. I respect what they’ve finished of their careers. Wonderful careers. What I’ve bought in opposition to this battle specifically is it’s contested for an undisputed heavyweight title.
“For me, and I’m seeing on-line for lots of different folks, that is removed from undisputed. That is essentially the most disputed title that you could presumably get as a result of it’s two champions and one of many champions, Jon Jones, is avoiding the opposite champion, me. He’s chosen to battle a 42-year-old Stipe, who’s had a improbable profession, each guys have had improbable careers, nice legacy, however let’s be trustworthy, these are two previous farts preventing one another for a title and occupying it, which is a bit bizarre.”
Jones has been fast to refute the notion that he’s “ducking” a fight with Aspinall, although he additionally hasn’t dedicated to ever preventing the interim champion. The potential of retirement looms for the 37-year-old and he has also shown interest in fighting light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira. Jones has repeatedly mentioned he’s enthusiastic about enhancing his legacy, which incorporates his legendary 2011-2020 run that noticed him set up himself as not solely the very best to ever compete at 205 kilos, however arguably the very best to ever compete in MMA, interval.
To Aspinall, none of that issues, as he’s centered solely on settling the talk of who is actually the No. 1 heavyweight proper now.
“The factor with Jon is he’s a bit like a politician,” Aspinall mentioned. “He likes to manage the narrative of what followers assume. I’ve by no means as soon as come after Jon’s legacy. I feel it’s unbelievable, I feel his legacy goes to be superior to mine and a lot of the guys who’re preventing within the UFC. By no means had an issue along with his legacy. I’ve by no means had an issue with him, personally.
“The issue is he has the heavyweight title and I’m the No. 1 heavyweight on this planet. Since I’ve been a younger boy, since I first began coaching, me and my dad have had this dream that I’m going to be the undisputed UFC heavyweight champion of the world and he’s bought it and he’s holding it hostage and he gained’t battle me for it. That is nothing in opposition to Jon, that is nothing in opposition to his legacy, that is nothing in opposition to his profession, that is nothing in opposition to who he’s preventing, what he’s preventing for, if he’s preventing for cash, for legacy, for fame, no matter. It is because I would like the belt and he’s bought it. That’s all I’m after. That’s all I give a shit about is me being the undisputed, No. 1 heavyweight strolling round on planet Earth and he’s avoiding me.”
Aspinall is at present the No. 1 heavyweight within the MMA Fighting Global Rankings, whereas Jones and Miocic are absent from the checklist as a consequence of crossing the 18-month inactivity threshold (Miocic has not fought since March 2021).
Regardless of Aspinall holding a number of highlight-reel wins over the very best of the heavyweight division, Jones has dismissed him as an intriguing challenger, which truly is smart to Aspinall given Jones’ latest previous.
“Individuals are beginning to act shocked, ‘Jon’s a duck, Jon’s a duck, this, that, and the opposite,’” Aspinall mentioned. “Jon Jones ducked Francis Ngannou for 3 years. Don’t be shocked that this man all the time takes fights the place he’s on the benefit. And that’s not me getting at Jon, these are the information of it. Jon’s a really sensitive man and he likes to be sensible about his method and management the narrative of followers by saying he’s the GOAT—which he’s undoubtedly bought a case for—by saying, ‘This man Tom Aspinall’s a no person.’
“I’m a no person who has a No. 1 rating and has completed 5 of the top-10 guys within the first spherical. I’m certainly one of them top-10 guys, in order that’s 9 guys. 5 of them I’ve beat within the first spherical, so there’s solely 4 guys left within the high 10 who I haven’t beat. So I ain’t coming only for Jon Jones, I’m coming for the belt. Whoever has the belt is who I need to battle if I’m not the champion.”
All Aspinall can do now could be look forward to the Jones vs. Miocic rivalry to lastly be resolved and see if the winner sticks round. If it’s Jones, Aspinall hopes that logic prevails and that “Bones” lastly agrees to face him.
“Jon mentioned I must battle extra champions, however that is the issue I’ve bought,” Aspinall mentioned. “Jon is the champion and he gained’t battle me and he says that he gained’t battle me as a result of it’s an excessive amount of of a bet.”
“And Jon, in case you’re not into playing your legacy, that to me sounds such as you’re afraid of dropping in opposition to me,” Aspinall added.
