The saga in the heavyweight division seems more like a cat-and-mouse game. While in one instant, Jon Jones is shaking down the entire UFC to give him match-ups of his liking. On the other side, Tom Aspinall has chased after Jones to cement himself as heavyweight champ. Both fighters have been adamantly making their case known to the world. Everyone knows of the rivalry that started at UFC 295.
This makes a strong case for the Englishman to face heavyweight champion Jon Jones for unification next. However, at every turn, ‘Bones’ has made it strenuous for Aspinall to get the next crack at the world title. Fear of getting embroiled into a Michael Chandler like situation, Aspinall wanted assurance from the UFC. Speaking with Ariel Helwani, the English fighter revealed what happened.
I am ready to go whenever… This is what I said to the UFC, and this is zero disrespect to Michael Chandler. But I just said, I don’t want to be in the Michael Chandler situation. I am not interested in it. And they assured me that that’s not going to happen.
Tom Aspinall via The Ariel Helwani Show YouTube
The disputed heavyweight title continues to unfold in the MMA world. Jones, in the post fight UFC 309 presser conference, laid down one final stipulation to face Aspinall. The 37-year-old champion demanded F**k you money, in face of a dangerous fight. Chandler, who waited for nearly 2 years on the bench for Conor McGregor, created an example of what Aspinall fears.
Aspinall also seemed to put together an idea of why Jones ducks him. The mixed martial artist touched upon his rather short history inside the octagon. The Brit suggested that he and Jones study tapes, and that’s where Aspinall believes he has Jones beaten. Moreover, he also touched upon his opponent’s competitive spirit, which he believes will aid him in booking this fight.
Tom Aspinall knows Jon Jones secretly wants to fight him and settle the debate
Speaking with the media, the 31-year-old fighter touched upon his rival’s thought process. The interim champion feels the growing hype around him and the fan uproar will work in his favor. Numerous names throughout UFC were poised to beat Jones. Incidentally, no fighter has come close to beating him, which makes the Aspinall challenge more interesting.
Tom Aspinall confident Jon Jones’ competitive edge will help book the fight (Image via Open Source)Jones in his career has faced multiple challengers and champions. On top of it, he is the UFC’s 8th two division champion, and 4th fighter to have title defenses in two weight classes. Certainly, this puts him in a league of his own, granting bragging rights. Fortunately for Aspinall, growing support for him could play into irk Jones and thus confirming dates for this fight.
Tom Aspinall believes that Jon Jones “secretly” wants to fight him 👀
“He has a gigantic ego, and he should have… and he HATES the fact that people are saying I can beat him. He can’t sleep at night.”
🎥 @arielhelwani #UFC #MMApic.twitter.com/lrjgz39D3i
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) November 18, 2024
Even fans have seemed to jump on Aspinall’s hype train as they call for a mega-fight. UFC CEO Dana White has assured the world Jones will face Aspinall next. It leaves the American fighter with all but two options, either retire or honor the title unification. It looks like the decision rests in the hands of negotiation, which could decide the fate of the duo.
