Aspinall Stakes His Claim in the Heavyweight Division
The UFC heavyweight division has recently been shaken by the emergence of Tom Aspinall, who secured a decisive knockout victory over Sergei Pavlovich to claim the interim title. Aspinall’s ascent has brought new energy and significant talk, particularly regarding his thoughts on the current and past leaders of the division.
At UFC 304, Aspinall delivered a commanding performance against Curtis Blaydes, further cementing his position as a contender. His skills in the octagon have proven to be a topic of conversation among fans and fighters alike. However, it is his criticisms and comments about two of the sport's legends, Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic, that have truly stirred the pot.
The much-anticipated bout between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic was originally scheduled to headline UFC 295 on November 11, 2023. Unfortunately, the fight faced an untimely postponement after Jones was forced to withdraw due to an injury. Consequently, Miocic was also pulled from the card, leaving fans eagerly awaiting a new date. Rumors suggest that the event may be rescheduled for UFC 309 on November 16, though nothing has been confirmed.
Amidst this uncertainty, Aspinall has been vocal about his views on Jones and Miocic. He has openly criticized Jones, suggesting the former light heavyweight champion is avoiding a fight with him. "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," Aspinall said.
The 37-year-old Jones, who is looking to finish his career on a high note, has not been without his own responses. He addresses Aspinall's rise with a mix of acknowledgement and dismissal. "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 commented.
Aspinall has not held back in discussing Jones’ lifestyle either, referencing Jones' struggle with maintaining peak physical condition. "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," Aspinall speculated.
Moreover, Aspinall has been clear about his belief concerning the current state of the heavyweight division. He has openly declared that neither Jones nor Miocic deserve their positions at the top. "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 proclaimed.
According to Aspinall, if Jones wants to prove he is the best, it is imperative to face him. "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," Aspinall emphasized.
Jones, on the other hand, has expressed his desire to retire and join the ranks of other sports icons like Tom Brady and Floyd Mayweather. "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," Jones asserted.
The dynamic between these heavyweights promises to deliver thrilling developments in the months to come. UFC fans around the globe remain on the edge of their seats, eagerly anticipating a resolution to the Jones vs. Miocic saga and wondering if Aspinall will get his chance to prove himself against the legendary Jon Jones. Whether the rumored rescheduled bout at UFC 309 comes to fruition or not, the narrative within the heavyweight division is sure to keep fight enthusiasts engaged.