The continued saga of UFC Interim Heavyweight Champion Tom Aspinall ready for a fateful unification bout with undisputed title holder Jon Jones continues, and it appears the Brit is willingly to maneuver previous him.
Disgruntled Tom Aspinall Able to Transfer On from Doable Jones Battle Amid Absence of Formal Announcement
At UFC 304, Tom Aspinall grew to become one of many few interim champions in UFC historical past to defend their belts, scoring a formidable first spherical knockout during the last man to defeat him, Curtis Blaydes. In his post-fight interview, the Englishman respectfully known as out the official finest heavyweight on the earth, Jones, hoping to presumably safe a superfight later within the 12 months.
Nevertheless, the promotion as an alternative went forward and booked “Bones” in a legacy combat with former 265-lb king Stipe Miocic for UFC 309, the place Jones stopped the Ohio native by third spherical knockout. UFC CEO Dana White did state within the post-fight press convention of UFC on ESPN 63 that Aspinall would finally battle Jones someday in 2025.
Within the months following the bout’s conclusion, the Brit has repeatedly tried to arrange a date between him and the arguably best competitor of all time, however Jones has continued to stay silent, and there nonetheless hasn’t been any phrase from the UFC right now. This lack of motion whereas being on the sidelines has triggered Tom Aspinall a lot annoyance, a lot in order that he has said that he’s now prepared to ditch a contest with Jones so as to pursue different fights because the precise heavyweight champion.
Tom Aspinall Airs Frustration on YouTube
Posting to his YouTube channel, Aspinall relayed to MMA followers the present standing of the Jones reserving, implying that he, his crew and the UFC are all on board for the conflict and that they’re simply ready for the champion to reply.
“The place we’re at proper now, is I’ve spoken to the UFC on a number of events about this combat,” Tom Aspinall started. “I’m chasing up, and I need the combat. Been on report saying I need the combat, been on the telephone with the UFC saying I need the combat. ‘When’s the combat? I need it greater than anybody’. What’s holding it up is his aspect, that’s the reality of it.”
Aspinall’s Feedback Continued
“Does he wish to put himself able the place he’s comfy sufficient financially to take the danger that he’s taking to combat me? And that’s the place we’re at,” he mentioned. “The UFC tells me, they’ve proven me, that they’re doing all the pieces they will to make this combat. So it’s completely, so far as I’m conscious, it’s completely all the way down to Jon Jones and his crew to work it out.”
Ought to “Bones” select to not defend his strap towards Aspinall, and both he willingly vacates or the corporate strips him, then the English bruiser is all for taking over another person for the undisputed belt.
“Bear in mind what I mentioned fairly some time in the past now? I’ll retire Jon Jones with out even combating him, that’s what I mentioned,” he mentioned. “Jon, let’s do it! If you wish to do it, you don’t must ask me twice. If not, I’ll combat someone else for the undisputed belt. Blissful to combat anyone. Anybody, anytime, anyplace. Doesn’t matter, I’m able to go.”
Will Tom Aspinall Get His Want?
Having held the interim championship for properly over a 12 months now, Tom Aspinall has been denied his rightful combat versus Jones time and time once more. The state of affairs has pissed off not simply the Brit but in addition the whole MMA neighborhood, as probably the most electrifying fighter within the division is left to attend whereas his prime years are being wasted.
Because the spring season rolls round and extra huge bouts are introduced, there’s the prospect that the UFC lastly reveals the high-profile conflict Aspinall has been eager for. Till then, the world can solely bide its time as the largest pairing in fight sports activities slowly comes collectively within the shadows.
