Tom Aspinall claims that Jon Jones is remaining the sticking point as the heavyweight title unification seems to push further away.
The massive Brit has been out of action since July of last year, when he avenged his sole octagon loss to Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304. Since then, he has been in hot pursuit of Jones, who knocked out Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 the following November.
However, despite UFC insistence that the fight will be happening this year, the interim champion is none the wiser as to a date or time. Aspinall is even willing to take yet another fight in the meantime, which would mark a second interim title defence.
Tom Aspinall offers update on Jon Jones fight
Tom Aspinall appears to be acutely aware that he is building up a reputation as a fighter whose name is built on calling out Jon Jones. He has been pushing for the fight since winning interim gold at the end of 2023, and appears now to be closer than ever.
But despite Dana White regularly declaring that the fight will happen, it seems that stumbling blocks have been reached. In a YouTube vlog detailing his last few months, Aspinall explained the entire situation from his perspective.
“Where we’re at right now is, I have spoke to the UFC on multiple occasions on this fight,” Aspinall said. “I’m chasing it. I want the fight. I’ve been on record and said that I want the fight. I’ve been on the phone with the UFC saying, ‘I want the fight. When’s it happening?’ I want the fight more than anyone.
“What is holding it up right now is his side. That’s the truth of it. The UFC really, really want the fight to happen. They’ve told me that. This is one of the biggest fights in MMA.
“Does he want to put himself in a position where he’s comfortable enough financially to take the risk that he’s taking to fight me? And that is where we’re at. The UFC tell me, they assure me they are doing everything they can to make this fight.
“So as far as I’m aware, this is now totally down to Jon Jones and his team to work that out. I’m literally just waiting for a date.
“But what’s holding it back is the UFC want to make the fight with me and Jon, and as far as I’m aware, it’s now about maybe financial, or otherwise. I’m not too sure, to be honest. I’m just waiting for the call right now.”
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In fact, Aspinall has even said that he would be willing to forego the Jones fight if it meant that he could keep defending his title. However, he wants the division to not be in some bizarre position where he and Jones are running two separate heavyweight divisions.
He has already had to sit cageside to watch Stipe Miocic return after three years out of the cage to be stopped by Jones in New York City. And he wouldn’t be keen to see the champion, for example, entertain a super-fight with the likes of Alex Pereira.
Aspinall is happy to face his top contender Ciryl Gane next, and even ran through the entire top ten at heavyweight during the video. But his primary focus is on making the Jones fight happen and finally unifying the division.
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