Aspinall Calls Out Jones: The Heavyweight Debate Intensifies
In the high-stakes world of UFC, tensions are rising between interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall and reigning heavyweight champ Jon Jones. Aspinall, who recently secured a decisive knockout victory over Sergei Pavlovich to claim the interim title, has been vocal about his frustration with Jones, specifically targeting the champ’s reluctance to face him in the octagon.
Aspinall’s ascension in the UFC ranks has been nothing short of meteoric, epitomized by his commanding performance against Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304. This win was supposed to pave the way for a title unification bout, but the anticipated showdown with Jones remains in limbo. “Let's be honest, and since I won that fight, he's gone completely quiet," Aspinall said. "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." Clearly, Aspinall believes Jones is avoiding the inevitable.
Adding fuel to the fire, UFC CEO Dana White echoed the sentiment that Aspinall deserves a shot at the undisputed title. White has publicly stated that the interim champ is owed a fight against the winner of the Jones vs. Miocic bout. Originally scheduled for UFC 295 on November 11, 2023, the Jones vs. Miocic clash was postponed following Jones' injury-induced withdrawal, with Miocic subsequently being pulled from the card. Rumors now suggest that the bout might be rescheduled for UFC 309 on November 16.
While the UFC shuffles its calendar, Aspinall remains outspoken. He challenges the very notion that Jones might ever consider fighting him. “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,” he declared. To Aspinall, Jones' silence speaks volumes.
The interim champ hasn't held back in criticizing Jones’ perceived inactive lifestyle. Aspinall quipped, "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." Despite these barbs, Jones' reputation as one of the sport’s greats still commands respect.
Jones, on his part, has remained largely detached from the verbal jousting, focusing instead on his legacy. At 37 years old, the multi-time champion is more interested in finishing his career on a high note. “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 stated. This remark underscores his long-term dominance in the sport.
Aspinall, undeterred, continues to press his case. He questions the legitimacy of the current title contenders. "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 said, clearly indicating his belief in his own superiority. He further elaborated that while he respects the careers of Jones and Miocic, they are not the pinnacle of today's heavyweight division.
The rivalry between Aspinall and Jones encapsulates a broader narrative in the UFC. Aspinall claims, "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." This statement underscores his pursuit of legitimacy and recognition in a fiercely competitive division.
For Jones, the focus is on cementing his legacy rather than engaging in a war of words. Reflecting on his career, he mused, “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.”
As UFC fans eagerly await the rescheduled bout between Jones and Miocic, the question remains: will Jones and Aspinall eventually meet in the octagon for a definitive clash of titans? For now, the heavyweight division holds its breath, anticipating the next chapter in this unfolding drama.