Interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall last fought on July 6, 2024, where he successfully defended his title against Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304. Aspinall earned the interim title on November 11, 2023, at UFC 295. Since then, he has actively sought a title unification bout against current heavyweight champion Jon Jones. Aspinall has been lobbying for this high-stakes match for the past 18 months but is now contemplating moving on as negotiations remain stalled.
Jones, who defended his heavyweight championship against two-time former champion Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 last November, has yet to agree to fight Aspinall next. Aspinall believes the ongoing delay is largely due to financial considerations. “Me, personally, I can’t do anything,” Aspinall stated during an interview on the High Performance Podcast. “I just think it’s down to money on his side. I will fight whenever — whenever, wherever he wants — but it’s down to money I think.”
Understanding the intricacies of Jones' situation, Aspinall empathizes with the champion’s desire for a lucrative payday. However, his patience is wearing thin. He expressed, “When you put him in there with, and I’m not trying to blow my own trumpet, but I’m literally the most dangerous guy in the UFC if you look at the stats.” Aspinall points to his impressive credentials and current form as reasons for Jones to reconsider quickly. He added, “I think Jon’s a smart guy and realizes that, so he wants to be compensated financially for it.”
At 37, Jones has had a storied career, but Aspinall highlighted the toll of years spent in the octagon. He said, “He’s got a million miles on the clock. So he’s got a lot of damage on the body. He’s [taken] a lot of shots to the head.” Aspinall clarified that his comments are not meant to cast doubt on Jones' abilities but rather to reflect the reality of the toll combat sports takes on fighters.
Aspinall, frustrated by the lack of progress, is evaluating his options. “I’m well bored of it. I’ve had enough. We either need to fight, or I need to move on to something else,” he asserted. This statement indicates Aspinall's readiness to pursue other opportunities if he cannot secure the highly anticipated showdown with Jones.
The heavyweight division remains one of the most exciting in mixed martial arts, and this potential clash between Aspinall and Jones could redefine the landscape. Fans eagerly await updates as the situation evolves, especially given Aspinall’s desire to unify the heavyweight title and prove he is the best in the division. In the meantime, all eyes will be on the negotiation table as both fighters consider their next steps in this pivotal moment for their careers.
