Tom Aspinall is making it clear: he’s ready to seize any opportunity to face Jon Jones in the octagon.
Fresh off a dominant 60-second victory over Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304, where he successfully defended his interim heavyweight title, Aspinall still hasn’t secured the fight he’s been yearning for—a showdown with the current UFC heavyweight champion, Jon Jones.
Jones, who claimed the vacant heavyweight title by defeating Ciryl Gane in 2023, is expected to defend his title against former champion Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 this November. While nothing has been officially announced, Aspinall is determined to stay ready should an opportunity arise.
In a recent YouTube video, Aspinall addressed Jones directly: “Jon Jones, I know you’ve got your fight coming up—apparently in November, against Stipe Miocic. Nothing has been announced or signed yet, as far as I’m aware, but if that does happen, I’ll be there. I’ll be ready to jump in with either of you guys for the undisputed title if one of you pulls out.”
Aspinall didn’t stop there. He made it clear that if Jones successfully defends his title against Miocic, he expects to be next in line. “If you successfully defend against Stipe in November, I will be there in the crowd, front row. I want you to hand me the undisputed title as you walk past me. Thank you.”
Despite his dominant performances and a growing outcry against Miocic’s title shot—given that Miocic is 42 years old and hasn’t competed in over three years—Aspinall has yet to secure his dream fight with Jones. However, there’s a glimmer of hope for the Englishman as he revealed that the UFC has already discussed the possibility of him being the backup fighter for the Jones-Miocic bout.
“After my last fight with Curtis Blaydes, there was some talk about me being the backup fighter,” Aspinall shared. “The UFC spoke to me directly about that. I said, I’m in. If somebody pulls out, I’m in. I’ll be prepared for that date, so you let me know. I’m ready to take the fight. I’m the No. 1 in the division—not Jon Jones, not Stipe Miocic. They’re a couple of older fellas fighting for the title for some reason. I don’t know why that is. But I am the guy at heavyweight, and I’m ready to prove that on an hour’s notice if I need to.”
Adding fuel to the speculation, Aspinall mentioned hearing rumors about a possible injury to Miocic, which could open the door for him to step in. “I’m hearing rumors that Stipe is potentially injured. These are things I’m hearing from the inner circle. Stipe, he’s 42 years old. The guy is going to be injury-prone. Jon Jones, a million miles on the clock, he’s going to be injury-prone. Me? I’m ready to go, I’m not even in my prime yet, I’m hungry for it. I’m not sure these two guys are, but I am, and I’ll fight either of them for the undisputed title on any notice.”
Despite Aspinall’s eagerness, sources within the UFC indicate that the Jones vs. Miocic fight is still on track to take place this November. Yet, for Aspinall, the situation remains frustrating. With victories over five of the UFC’s top-10 heavyweights, he believes he’s earned his shot at proving he’s the best in the world.
“Jon Jones had an amazing career. I’m not putting Jon Jones down,” Aspinall acknowledged. “But Jon Jones isn’t the best heavyweight in the world right now. That’s me. So I want what’s mine. I’m pissed off for greatness. I believe that I should be the No. 1 heavyweight in the world. I’ve done what it takes to deserve that, and I’m ready to prove it. Jon Jones isn’t. That’s all I’m saying. Nothing against Jon and his career.”
Aspinall’s issue is not personal with Jones or Miocic but with the fact that the heavyweight belt is tied up. “The issue I have with Jon is he’s got the belt, and I want it. I’ve got a belt too, and I want to unify the belts. There shouldn’t be two heavyweight champions—there should be one, and I want it to be me. So that’s all I’m going for now.”
In the end, Aspinall’s message is clear: “The issue is not with Jon. The issue is not with Stipe. The issue is with them holding the belt hostage. Give me the belt. The belt’s mine. I want it. I’m here for it. I’m here to take it. If you think you’re the man at heavyweight, I’ll fight anybody for the undisputed belt.”
