Tom Aspinall lastly bought his probability to get face-to-face with Jon Jones for the primary time throughout an look on the Arnold Sports activities Competition in Birmingham, England, on Saturday.
The impromptu assembly came about whereas Jones was assembly followers and taking photos. Aspinall approached Jones from the group as a sea of onlookers snapped pictures of the lads, who respectively maintain the interim and undisputed UFC titles within the heavyweight division.
Ever since he captured the interim belt this previous 12 months with a shocking knockout of Sergei Pavlovich, Aspinall has referred to as for a battle in opposition to Jones. However the reigning heavyweight champion has waited for an opportunity to face Stipe Miocic as soon as his torn pectoral muscle heals.
Regardless of repeated callouts, Aspinall finally stopped making noise about preventing Jones. However he nonetheless introduced up the likelihood once they met on the sports activities pageant.
“Are we going to do that factor?” Aspinall stated to Jones in a video he posted to his YouTube channel.
“I’d hope so,” Jones responded.
Aspinall then requested for a photograph, however Jones declined his request for a faceoff. They nonetheless stood collectively as just a few photos have been snapped.
All in all, it was a reasonably pleasant encounter, exterior of Aspinall inserting his hand on Jones’ shoulder; the fighter usually referred to as MMA’s GOAT rapidly brushed that off. There was seemingly no unwell will, although it’s clear that Aspinall nonetheless needs his probability to face Jones sooner or later.
“I’d like to – respect,” Aspinall stated to Jones. “I’d like to have the dignity someday.”
Jones answered again, “Perhaps someday.”
Jones additionally acknowledged he’s therapeutic up slowly however certainly as he continues working towards his return to motion later this 12 months. There’s no timeline for his battle in opposition to Miocic, but it surely’s anticipated the heavyweights will sq. off earlier than the top of the 12 months.
As for Aspinall, he’s dedicated to staying busy and lately accepted a problem from Curtis Blaydes, who defeated him in 2022 when he suffered a knee damage within the first spherical. Blaydes is about one week faraway from second-round knockout win of Jailton Almeida, however there’s no phrase but if the UFC will e book the battle.
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