Tom Aspinall had one of the very best seats in the house at UFC 309.
The interim heavyweight titleholder sat cageside to watch Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic battle it out for the heavyweight championship at Madison Square Garden in New York on November 16.
When Jones connected with a perfect spinning back kick to the stomach to end the fight in round three, he did so in spitting distance of the man he is expected to unify the division against in 2025.
Tom Aspinall has now revealed what it was like to see ‘Bones’ at his blistering best up close at UFC 309.
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Tom Aspinall recalls ‘horrendous’ UFC 309 KO
During an exclusive interview with Bloody Elbow, Tom Aspinall admitted that he was impressed by Jon Jones’ performance and the sickening shot he landed to finish the fight.
The Englishman couldn’t have been closer to the action, which left him feeling a little bit sorry for Stipe Miocic, who retired after his second consecutive KO defeat.
“I was very impressed by him,” Aspinall said about Jones.
“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.”
Tom Aspinall provides update on Jon Jones fight talks
Jon Jones expressed his desire to fight Alex Pereira after UFC 309.
The 37-year-old American has made no secret of his aversion to facing off with Tom Aspinall, but UFC boss Dana White has ruled out booking Jones vs Pereira.
After fearing that he may get ducked by the greatest of all time, Aspinall is now confident that he will finally get a shot at the legitimate UFC heavyweight belt in 2025.
He added: “I’m very confident that it’s going to happen.
“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.”
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