Tom Aspinall needs nothing greater than to unify the UFC heavyweight title in a battle in opposition to Jon Jones, however he’s successfully given up any hope that it ever occurs.
Regardless of a outstanding run by means of the UFC with eight wins and just one opponent even making it to the second spherical with him, Aspinall instantly finds himself on the surface wanting in whereas clutching onto an interim heavyweight title. Whereas he’s ready, Jon Jones is getting ready to defend his heavyweight title in opposition to Stipe Miocic in a battle anticipated in November at Madison Sq. Backyard in New York.
What makes issues worse is that Jones could in the end determine to retire from the game if he beats Miocic, and whereas that may solidify Aspinall because the undisputed UFC heavyweight champion, he prefers proving that within the cage.
“There’s nowhere that you’ll find publicly, nowhere, him saying that he’ll battle me,” Aspinall mentioned about Jones on the Believe You Me podcast. “It doesn’t exist. I problem anyone watching this interview to go and discover the assertion, quote, a video the place Jon Jones is saying that he’ll battle me after he’s fought Stipe. It doesn’t exist. The man’s sensible, and we all know the man’s a bit chubby lately. The man sat there with the Cheeto fingers or no matter, Doritos on his fingers along with his iPhone in hand ready for me to get knocked out [by Curtis Blaydes] so he may begin tweeting about it.
“Let’s be sincere, and since I received that battle, he’s gone utterly quiet. He’ll proceed to go utterly quiet about me till he retires. As a result of there’s no method on Earth that he’s going to battle me. Not an opportunity. I’ll retire Jon Jones with out even preventing him.”
In fact, Jones has commented on Aspinall prior to now, however he’s principally acknowledged {that a} battle in opposition to a legend like Miocic simply means extra to his profession and legacy, which is why he’s overtly pursued the matchup.
Miocic is broadly thought of one of many best heavyweights of all-time, and he holds the report for probably the most title defenses in that division in UFC historical past with three straight. That mentioned, Miocic simply turned 42 years previous, he’s coming off a knockout loss to Francis Ngannou and he hasn’t fought since March 2021.
The truth that Jones needs that battle over a possible showdown in opposition to Aspinall tells the present interim UFC champion all the pieces he must know.
“They don’t f*cking should be preventing for the heavyweight title,” Aspinall mentioned. “Them guys aren’t the highest of the heavyweight division proper now. Dana White and all people else can say no matter they need, them guys aren’t the most effective heavyweights on the planet proper now.
“I’m not saying they’ve not had wonderful careers as a result of I idolize these guys. I wish to have a profession like that. That’s what I’m aiming to do with my life is what they’ve completed however they’re not the most effective proper now. Proper now they’re positively not the most effective so let’s cease speaking all this bullshit like they’re.”
The largest impediment for Aspinall attending to Jones in all probability isn’t Miocic however quite UFC CEO Dana White.
In latest months, White has persistently delivered the message that he considers Jones the highest pound-for-pound fighter within the sport, and the best blended martial artist of all-time, and he needs to permit him the courtesy to pursue a battle in opposition to one other legend like Miocic.
That will appease Jones’ best need, however Aspinall scoffs at the concept one way or the other proves he’s the most effective heavyweight within the UFC.
“The best way I have a look at it, I’m the most effective heavyweight on the planet and I’m not getting my credit score for it,” Aspinall mentioned. “They’re holding the belt hostage and Jon Jones is loving it. He’s loving the truth that Dana White’s getting on each interview doable — you’re speaking about bantamweights and Dana White flips it again and begins speaking about how good Jon Jones is! If he’s that good, let’s battle. I’m the No. 1 heavyweight on the planet proper now. Let’s put it on the road and let’s see who the person is, me or Jon? It’s so simple as that.
“I’m about I’m the most effective fighter on the planet, the most effective heavyweight on the planet proper now, and Jon Jones isn’t and I’m keen to show it and he’s not. That’s what I’m about. I’m about being the most effective heavyweight on the planet.”
Whereas his frustration continues to mount, Aspinall revealed that he’s anticipated to function the backup fighter for the Jones vs. Miocic battle later this yr. If a state of affairs unfolds the place he will get the decision to step up in opposition to one among them in November, Aspinall vowed “I’ll leap in on one hour’s discover if I’ve to and beat both of them.”
If Jones vs. Miocic goes off with out incident, Aspinall has accepted that he could undergo a whole coaching camp with out the reward of preventing, however that’s a danger he’s keen to take.
In his eyes, it’s simply additional proof that he’s keen to do what Jones received’t.
“I’m the man at heavyweight, not him — me,” Aspinall mentioned. “I wish to be acknowledged as the most effective. I’ve received the actual belt. I’m the one defending. He’s defending in opposition to a 42-year-old Stipe Miocic with 1,000,000 miles on the clock. If you wish to be the actual man, it’s important to battle me.”
Trending Merchandise
