Tom Aspinall faces the prospect of fighting a training partner after Jon Jones.
The interim titleholder has been demanding a unification bout with the UFC’s other heavyweight champion, Jon Jones, ever since the greatest of all time knocked out Stipe Miocic in November.
Tom Aspinall implored ‘Bones’ to sign the contract after the American’s preferred opponent, Alex Pereira, suffered a unanimous decision defeat against Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313 this past weekend.
A fight between the best big men in MMA appears to be closer than ever – but what will happen after they clash in the most eagerly anticipated matchup of 2025?
- READ MORE: Dana White reveals real reason Jon Jones vs Tom Aspinall isn’t official during new fight update
Mick Parkin considers Tom Aspinall clash
As Tom Aspinall focuses on fighting the best MMA fighter ever, his sparring partner, Mick Parkin, has earned himself a spot among the UFC’s top 15 heavyweights.
He’ll face long-time contender Marcin Tybura in the toughest test of his career at UFC London on March 22.
The 10-0 rising star admits that a potential fight with Aspinall has already crossed his mind.
However, he says there’s only one way fans will get to see the all-British heavyweight blockbuster.
“It’s been brought up a few times,” Parkin said during an exclusive interview with Bloody Elbow.
“Messing about together, he’s always winding us up about it. He says, ‘F—— hell, two more wins, mate, and we’ll be in there.’ Because there’s always talk about him not being able to get fights.
“Look, he is my friend, and he’s helped me out loads in my career. I’ve trained with him for so long now that we are good friends. I hope he does get the Jon Jones fight and he retires with a load of money – that’s what we need to push him out of the way.
“I’ve still got to beat Tybura and then there’s potentially still 10 more guys I’ve got to fight to get there.
“So, it’s still a long way off for me. Unless it was for crazy money, I probably wouldn’t be fighting Tom.”
Mick Parkin predicts Jon Jones vs Tom Aspinall
Parkin believes Aspinall will give Jones his first real taste of defeat when they scrap later this year.
“Jon Jones is amazing, he’s no easy challenge – but he’s maybe not training as intense,” the 29-year-old added.
“I don’t know this. This is completely guessing looking from the outside, it doesn’t look like he trains as much, he’s definitely a little bit older, and it’s definitely the time to beat him, if there is a time.
“Tom is just going from strength to strength and he’s just the most dangerous guy. Just the way he moves and everything. He’s a big guy, he’s really, really fast, and he’s coming into his prime now.
“I do think he’d beat Jon Jones.”