Tom Aspinall's meteoric rise in the UFC heavyweight division has been nothing short of spectacular. Recently, Aspinall secured a decisive knockout victory over Sergei Pavlovich to claim the interim title, solidifying his position as a formidable contender. His commanding performance against Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304 further showcased his prowess inside the octagon.
While the spotlight has been on Aspinall, much attention has also focused on the highly anticipated Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic bout. Originally scheduled for UFC 295 on November 11, 2023, the bout faced an unexpected delay following Jones' injury-induced withdrawal. Consequently, Miocic was pulled from the card, leaving fans eagerly awaiting news on when this monumental clash would be rescheduled. Rumors suggest that the Jones vs. Miocic bout might find a new home at UFC 309 on November 16.
An Overdue Showdown
As the UFC heavyweight landscape continues to evolve, Aspinall hasn't minced words about his views on Jones and Miocic. He has been forthright in his criticism, declaring, "Let's be honest, and since I won that fight, he's gone completely quiet. He'll continue to go completely quiet about me until he retires. Because there's no way on Earth that he's going to fight me. Not a chance. I will retire Jon Jones without even fighting him." Aspinall's comments underscore a palpable tension between him and the seasoned veteran Jones.
"I challenge anybody watching this interview to go and find the statement, quote, a video where Jon Jones is saying that he'll fight me after he's fought Stipe. It doesn't exist," Aspinall added, highlighting his belief that Jones is avoiding a direct confrontation with him. Aspinall hasn't shied away from painting a vivid picture of Jones' current state, claiming, "The guy's smart, and we know the guy's a bit overweight these days. The guy sat there with the Cheeto fingers or whatever, Doritos on his fingers with his iPhone in hand waiting for me to get knocked out [by Blaydes] so he could start tweeting about it."
Jones' Final Chapter
At 37 years old, Jon Jones is looking to finish his storied career on a high note. Known for his dominance in the light heavyweight division before moving up to heavyweight, Jones has made it clear that he has aspirations beyond the octagon. "Maybe Tom will go on and beat Stipe's record one day, right now I'm focusing on goat things. The beautiful thing about being in my position is I'm not defined by one fight. Most of you grew up watching me win," Jones said, asserting his legacy in the sport.
However, Aspinall remains unconvinced of Jones' and Miocic's relevance in today's heavyweight division. "They don't f---ing deserve to be fighting for the heavyweight title. Them guys are not the top of the heavyweight division right now. Dana White and everybody else can say whatever they want, them guys aren't the best heavyweights in the world right now," he emphatically stated. Aspinall further reinforced his stance, saying, "I'm the guy at heavyweight, not him -- me. I want to be recognized as the best. I've got the real belt. I'm the one defending. He's defending against a 42-year-old Stipe Miocic with a million miles on the clock. If you want to be the real guy, you have to fight me."
The Wait Continues
While fans remain eager for the rescheduled Jones vs. Miocic bout, Aspinall's rise and vocal criticisms have added a new layer of excitement and complexity to the heavyweight division. Jones himself has acknowledged the end of his fighting days is near, stating, "I'm 37 years old now, I've kicked everyone's ass. My job is to finish strong and make an amazing movie. Go join Tom Brady, Floyd Mayweather and all the other retired bad asses." These words echo Jones' desire to leave the sport on a triumphant note, cementing his place among the all-time greats.
As the MMA world waits with bated breath for the Jones vs. Miocic showdown, one thing is certain: Tom Aspinall is not done making his case as the new face of the heavyweight division. His tenacity, skill, and unabashed confidence suggest that he is ready to take on all challengers, whether they be legends like Jones and Miocic or other rising stars in the division. The coming months promise to be a compelling chapter in the ever-evolving saga of UFC heavyweight competition.