If President Joe Biden could effectively take himself out of the running, then Stipe Miocic could take himself out of his next UFC title bout. That’s according to interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall. Jon Jones only wants to face Miocic for his first heavyweight title defense. The age and inactivity of Miocic remain a concern for many.
Tom Aspinal tore through Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304 to defend his interim gold. Right after, he put absentee Jon Jones on notice yet again. CEO Dana White agreed that Aspinall would face the winner of Jones vs. Stipe Miocic. However, White also hinted this was Miocic’s last fight. Now, Aspinall called into question the legitimacy of Miocic’s upcoming title shot.
Let’s be honest. Like…he’s had a four-year layoff, and his last fight was a knockout loss. Granted, he’s an absolute legend in this sport. He’s the best heavyweight ever statistically. But the guy needs to be pulled out of the race. The guy needs to be Joe Biden’d, mate. I respect Stipe a lot. Pull him out, stick me in. It’s right, though, isn’t it?
Tom Aspinall to ‘Fight Lab’ co-hosts @ugomonye/@AdamCatterall for UFC on TNT Sports
While nothing is official, White has clarified that Miocic will challenge heavyweight champion Jon Jones. The expectation is that the legacy billing will happen at UFC 309 in November. Miocic will turn 42 on August. 19. He is getting a title shot because he never got to challenge for the title after losing to Francis Ngannou back in 2021. While Aspinall respects Miocic, he draws a prime comparison to Joe Biden.
After the 81-year-old’s disastrous debate with Donald Trump in late June, Joe Biden came under fire for not following his PR media input. Recently, Biden opted to drop out of the re-election race against the GOP presidential nominee. Self-preservation or otherwise, Aspinall says Miocic should be “Joe Biden’d” as well. It came as a warning to quit ahead or have a disastrous ending.
The Tom Aspinall Conundrum: Will Stipe Miocic Be Joe Biden’d?
Out of the game for three years, five months, and counting, Stipe Miocic has not actively competed in the UFC. Miocic leisurely returned to the mound to throw the first pitch for Cleveland Guardians, topping off the Chicago White Sox by 7-6. He also revealed that he had begun early pre-camp training. While the heavyweight legend says he isn’t holding up the division, it’s a logjam nonetheless.
Stipe Miocic will never be booted from Jon Jones title fight (Source: heavy.com/boxemag.com/X)As much sense as Aspinall’s suggestion might make, it is highly unlikely that he’d get the Joe Biden farewell. White has been steadfast in billing Miocic vs. Jones as the legacy fight. Jon Jones is also not sold on Tom Aspinall as a whole. Logjam or not, he says the likes of Daniel Cormier, Jan Blachowicz, and even the United Kingdom’s top crops as a whole pander to only particular segments.
That’s one thing about this sport, there will always be that next challenger. I could’ve retired five years ago and I would’ve been running from someone. All the men I beat up, will have their stories. All the men I didn’t get to beat up we have their stories. It is what it is.… https://t.co/6o1d7gup4J
— BONY (@JonnyBones) May 9, 2024
No, I think it’s great to see the UFC showing such a level of respect to their champion athletes. I’ve dedicated my entire adult life to the sport, I think I’m allowed to get hurt once. This injury was supposed to take up to a year to heal, but I’m already back in pre-camp, I’m… https://t.co/4uPnf5CbE6
— BONY (@JonnyBones) May 9, 2024
And besides, there’s not many people in the heavyweight division right now that are capable of creating super fights. If Alex doesn’t move up in the near future, you’re not really missing out on much. The belt will just be tossed around like usual business. https://t.co/4uPnf5CbE6
— BONY (@JonnyBones) May 9, 2024
Meanwhile, ‘Bones’ and his continued snub revolves around fighting more pronounced and all-around likable names. He was even settling into the idea of a fantasy matchup with dual-division champ Alex Pereira. However, he has not entertained a much-anticipated matchup against Tom Aspinall.
Jon Jones is yet again hinting he might retire after a maiden defense and legacy payday. White says so would Miocic. So, while a skill-to-skill clash makes sense, it is highly unlikely Tom Aspinall would be cued in instead of this legacy fight.
