Tom Aspinall’s wait for a true UFC title shot has gone from ridiculous to historic.
The English fan favorite captured the interim heavyweight title by knocking out Sergei Pavlovich in 69 seconds at UFC 295 on November 11, 2023.
Tom Aspinall defended the belt by stopping Curtis Blaydes in 60 seconds at UFC 304 in July 2024.
535 days after becoming an interim champion, the 31-year-old continues to wait for the chance to unify the division against the other UFC heavyweight titleholder, Jon Jones.
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Tom Aspinall breaks record set by Renan Barao
On Tuesday, Aspinall officially became the long-reigning interim UFC champion of all time.
Former bantamweight champion Renan Barao set the previous record more than 11 years ago.
During Domnick Cruz‘s injury-induced absence, the Brazilian beat Urijah Faber to win a secondary belt at 135lbs at UFC 149 on July 21, 2012.
Barao defended his title twice in stoppage wins over Michael McDonald and Eddie Wineland before he was eventually elevated to undisputed champion on January 6, 2014, which was 534 days after he beat ‘The California Kid’.
It seems likely that Aspinall will set a new longest interim champion record at 600 or 700 days.
Dana White provides Jon Jones vs Tom Aspinall update
Dana White watched from cageside as Ian Garry beat Carlos Prates in the UFC Kansas City main event on Saturday night.
Post-fight, the UFC boss provided a major update on Jones vs Aspinall amid mixed reports about the fight.
“Everything you hear is bulls— until we say it,” White insisted.
“I’ve said it many times, that’s the fight we want to make this year.
“Still super confident [it happens].”
Aspinall continues to impatiently wait for his long overdue crack at undisputed status.
Now he has a piece of history to prove he’s had it worse than any other interim champion.