Tom Aspinall has taken the UFC by storm with his recent performances, and his latest triumph over Sergei Pavlovich to claim the interim title has only solidified his position as a heavyweight contender. Aspinall's commanding display against Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304 was a testament to his skill and determination, making his ascent to the top of the division undeniable.
However, the spotlight isn't solely on Aspinall. The highly anticipated clash between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic was originally slated for UFC 295 on November 11, 2023. Fans were eager to see the showdown, but it was postponed following Jones' withdrawal due to injury. In the wake of Jones stepping down, Miocic was also pulled from the card. Rumors are now swirling that the fight might be pushed to UFC 309 on November 16, leaving fans in suspense.
Aspinall hasn't shied away from criticizing Jones during this period. "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 declared, taking a jab at Jones' reluctance to engage with him.
Jon Jones, a name synonymous with UFC greatness, is now 37 years old and aims to end his career on a high note. "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," Jones stated, hinting at his desire to join the ranks of other legendary athletes post-retirement.
Aspinall, meanwhile, remains critical of both Jones and Miocic, suggesting they are not the top contenders 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," Aspinall said candidly.
Despite Jones' storied career and undeniable skills, Aspinall is confident in his position as the preeminent heavyweight fighter. "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," he asserted strongly.
Interestingly, Jones has not responded directly to Aspinall's provocations, opting instead to focus on his own career and legacy. "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 remarked, underscoring the long-standing nature of his career and the respect he's garnered over the years.
As fans eagerly await the pending reschedule of Jones vs. Miocic, the UFC's heavyweight landscape continues to evolve. Aspinall's meteoric rise and his vocal challenges to Jones signal a potential shift in the division's power dynamics. Whether Jones will eventually face Aspinall or not remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Aspinall is not backing down and is set on carving out his legacy in the UFC.
The saga of Jones, Miocic, and Aspinall intertwines personal ambition with professional rivalry, setting the stage for compelling future matchups. The coming months promise high-stakes drama as the heavyweight belt hangs in the balance, and the question on every fan’s mind is who will emerge as the undisputed champion.