Tom Aspinall is able to step in at UFC 309 if wanted.
This previous weekend, the UFC lastly made official the worst saved secret in MMA: Jon Jones is ready to defend his heavyweight title towards former champion Stipe Miocic in the principle occasion of UFC 309, which takes place on Nov. 16 at Madison Sq. Backyard in New York Metropolis. The announcement has been a very long time coming and Aspinall is worked up the promotion lastly made issues official, and plans to be in attendance, both as a backup or as an observer.
“What else occurred there was massive Jon Jones, massive Stipe Miocic matched up with each other,” Aspinall stated on his YouTube channel. “Lastly, it’s official. Nov. 16, MSG, New York Metropolis. The heavyweight title is on the road in the end. Lastly. We’re confirmed for it.
“I, after all, shall be there to look at these two gents go at it. I, after all, have advised the UFC if anyone will get injured or for some other purpose why no one could make it to that combat, why certainly one of them would possibly pull out, I’m able to go. If I have to, I’ll combat each of them in the identical night time, no downside.”
Jones and Miocic had been initially scheduled to face one another at UFC 295, nevertheless, Jones withdrew from the bout as a result of damage and as an alternative of rebooking Miocic, the promotion merely postponed the combat. As a substitute, Aspinall stepped in on brief discover towards deliberate backup fighter Sergei Pavlovich for an interim title combat, and gained the belt with a 69-second knockout. In lieu of reserving a title unification bout although, the UFC has solid forward with the Jones vs. Miocic matchup and so in July, Aspinall defended his interim title towards Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304, scoring a 60-second knockout.
It’s not usually that an interim champion even defends his title and far rarer nonetheless that an interim champion is handed over for a combat with the undisputed champion. In consequence, Aspinall has change into more and more pissed off the previous few months with Jones and the UFC insisting on the Miocic combat.
However at the very least with that combat lastly official now, Aspinall sees mild on the finish of the tunnel for his title journey.
“Give me my undisputed title, as a result of for my part it shouldn’t be two champions in a single weight division,” Aspinall stated. “I feel that’s foolish. This isn’t what the UFC is about, this isn’t what MMA is about. There’s one man in every weight division, and I imagine it’s me. So I’ll be combating the winner.
“As I stated, I’ll be there in the event that they want me. I’ll be match and prepared. I’m coaching proper now. I’m able to go, I’ll be to go on the sixteenth of November if I have to. MSG, the place the place I gained the title. I’ll return there and I’ll unify the title there as effectively if I have to.”
Sadly for Aspinall, he might not get his want to combat the winner of the UFC 309 predominant occasion as over the weekend, Jones declared that his combat with Miocic is “more than likely” the final fight of his career.
Trending Merchandise
