As Tom Aspinall proudly wears his newly-acquired interim title, his recent victory over Sergei Pavlovich has cemented his position in the heavyweight division. Aspinall, known for his commanding performances, especially his notable match against Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304, hasn't been shy about his thoughts on the current state of the division and its prominent figures, Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic.
Amid the buzz and excitement surrounding the heavyweight division, the anticipated bout between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic has faced its fair share of setbacks. Initially scheduled for UFC 295 on November 11, 2023, the bout was postponed following Jones' injury-induced withdrawal. Fans who were eagerly anticipating this clash were left disappointed as Miocic was also pulled from the card following Jones' exit. Speculation now suggests that this highly awaited showdown might be rescheduled for UFC 309 on November 16.
Aspinall's Bold Assertions
Tom Aspinall hasn't held back his criticism of Jon Jones' current state and inactive lifestyle. In a candid statement, Aspinall remarked, "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."
His assertions didn't stop there. Aspinall challenged the notion that Jones would face him after Miocic by boldly declaring, "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 even painted a vivid picture of what he believes to be Jones' current state, stating, "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."
Jones' Perspective and Aspirations
In response, Jones emphasized his focus on his legacy and broader ambitions. "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, underscoring his storied career and achievements.
At 37 years old, Jones has been open about his future aspirations and the desire to conclude his career with unmatched distinction. "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."
Aspinall's Views on the Heavyweight Hierarchy
Aspinall has made his stance clear regarding the current title picture. "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." His comments reflect a broader sentiment of his skepticism towards Jones and Miocic's current status in the division.
Further emphasizing his point, Aspinall asserted, "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."
The ongoing discourse between these top fighters has added an intriguing layer to the already exciting heavyweight division. As fans eagerly await the rescheduled bout between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic, the drama and stakes continue to rise.
With Aspinall's strong performances and bold declarations, and Jones' focus on his legacy and concluding his career on a high note, the coming months in the UFC's heavyweight division promise to be nothing short of electrifying, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.