Tom Aspinall and Jon Jones don’t appear any closer to fighting after UFC 304 last month (July 27, 2024).
England’s best fighter continued to prove he’s exactly that with his first successful interim title defense against Curtis Blaydes at the event. Needing just one minute to score redemption via technical knockout (watch highlights), Aspinall put away “Razor” and further staked his claim to an undisputed title shot. Unfortunately, the former two-time champion, Stipe Miocic, is still ahead of him to fight Jones, according to UFC CEO, Dana White.
White has made it clear at every possible opportunity he gets how Jones is undeniably the greatest combat athlete that has ever lived. Meanwhile, Aspinall’s activity levels and success have doubled what both Jones and Miocic have done in the past four years combined. So, he just wants the shot he earned when he won the title UFC created for him.
“The way I look at it, I’m the best Heavyweight in the world,” Aspinall said on Believe You Me (h/t MMA Junkie). “I’m not getting my credit for it. They’re holding the belt hostage, mate, and Jon Jones is loving it. He’s loving the fact that Dana is getting on every interview possible. You’re talking about Bantamweights, and Dana White flips it and starts talking about how good Jon Jones is. I’m like, ‘Mate, if he’s that good, let’s fight.’
“I’m the No. 1 Heavyweight right now,” he continued. “Let’s put it on the line, and let’s see who the man is — me or Jon. It’s as simple as that.”
Jones, 37, lashed back at doubters ahead of the fight, expecting Blaydes to surprise and possibly pull off an upset. Ultimately, that didn’t happen and a stance has been (publicly) changed from Jones regarding fighting the Brit over Miocic.
“We know he’s a bit overweight these days,” Aspinall said. “The guy sat there with the Cheetos fingers or whatever, the Doritos fingers with his iPhone in his hand, waiting for me to get knocked out so he can start tweeting about it. Let’s be honest: Since I won that fight, he’s been completely silent and continues to go completely quiet about me because there’s no way on Earth that he’s going to fight me. I’ll retire Jon Jones without even fighting him.”
