Tom Aspinall is feeling very confident that Jon Jones will be his next opponent.
The UFC heavyweight champion did everything he could to distance himself from a clash with Aspinall before scoring an impressive knockout win over Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 on November 16.
Jon Jones called out Alex Pereira after defending his title for the first time, but Dana White insisted that he must face the interim heavyweight champion next.
Talks have been ongoing ever since and they’ve left Tom Aspinall feeling optimistic that he’ll finally get his long-overdue shot at the proper UFC heavyweight title in 2025.
Tom Aspinall believes Jon Jones fight is ‘very likely’
Tom Aspinall recently sat down for an exclusive interview with Bloodyelbow.com.
The 31-year-old kept his cards close to his chest while discussing behind-the-scenes talks that are currently taking place and have left him feeling great about his chances of fighting Jon Jones very soon.
“I’m very confident that it’s going to happen,” Aspinall said.
“Obviously, a lot of things I’ve got to keep under wraps. I’ve had conversations with the higher-ups in the UFC and they are also very confident it’s going to happen.
“I don’t know from Jon’s side, but I know from my side and the UFC’s side it’s very likely.”
Aspinall also discussed his rival’s win over Miocic. The Englishman sat cageside to watch Jones land a crushing body kick in the third round of the UFC 309 main event at New York’s Madison Square Garden.
“I was very impressed by him,” Aspinall added. “The place where he kicked him, the position in the Octagon, was near enough arm’s length from where I was sitting. It was right next to me. It was right over my side of the Octagon, and it was brutal.
“Both guys are tired. To have one of them when you are already breathing heavy must’ve been horrendous.”
Jon Jones provides an update on his fighting future
Jon Jones suggested that he would retire if he didn’t get to face Alex Pereira next.
However, he now appears to be on board with the idea of potentially fighting Tom Aspinall instead.
“Right now, the UFC and I are in talks to see what happens next,” Jones recently told The Schmo.
“I’m back in the gym, I’m training, I feel really great. The team’s support, they’re right behind me, and we’ll just be ready for whatever opportunity comes our way.
“There is a [money figure], but I’m not going to discuss that publicly. We’ll just have to wait and see. I’ll be competing in 2025, more than likely.”
MMA fans now face a wait to see if Jones, Aspinall, and the UFC brass can agree on fight terms.
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