In a striking turn of events within the UFC heavyweight division, Tom Aspinall has asserted his dominance both inside and outside the Octagon. Recently, Aspinall secured a knockout victory over Sergei Pavlovich, earning the interim title and further solidifying his status as a top contender. His commanding performance against Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304 added to his rising reputation.
As the heavyweight division heats up, the much-anticipated Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic bout has faced a roadblock. Initially set for UFC 295 on November 11, 2023, the fight was postponed following Jones' withdrawal due to injury. Consequently, Miocic was also removed from the card. Rumors are swirling that the bout might be rescheduled for UFC 309 on November 16, a development fans eagerly await.
Aspinall Takes Aim
In the wake of these changes, Tom Aspinall has been vocal about the state of the heavyweight division, specifically targeting Jon Jones. In a scathing critique, Aspinall stated, "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 hasn't held back in his criticism of Jones' current lifestyle and priorities. "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," he remarked.
The Heavyweight Debate
Aspinall's critique extends beyond Jones, as he questions the legitimacy of Jones and Miocic’s claim to the top of the division. "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," Aspinall declared.
His confidence in his position is bolstered by his recent victories. "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 insisted.
Jones' Perspective
Jon Jones, at 37 years old, finds himself at a crossroads in his storied career. With aspirations of ending on a high note, Jones is focusing on what he calls "goat things." Reflecting on his career, he commented, "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 has made it clear that he has nothing left to prove in the division. "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," he exclaimed.
Despite the tension and jabs, fans remain hopeful for a future clash between Jones and Aspinall. Moreover, the rescheduled bout between Jones and Miocic is highly anticipated, adding another layer of excitement to an already thrilling heavyweight landscape. As the UFC navigates these dynamic narratives, the world of MMA watches with bated breath.