Tom Aspinall is not happy about being the longest-reigning interim champion in UFC history.
The English knockout artist captured a secondary title when he put Sergei Pavlovich to sleep in 69 seconds at UFC 295 in November 2023.
Tom Aspinall defended the belt by stopping Curtis Blaydes in 60 seconds at UFC 304 in July 2024.
After 535 days as interim champion, the 31-year-old set an unwanted UFC record while waiting for the chance to unify against the other UFC heavyweight titleholder, Jon Jones.
Tom Aspinall reacts to setting UFC record
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 before defending it twice during a 534-day reign that ended when he was eventually elevated to undisputed champion in January 2014.
It was a record people thought would never be broken, and Aspinall is fuming he’s the one who’s done it.
“That is bulls—,” he said when his historically lengthy reign as interim champ was brought up.
“That’s not something that I wanted. I’m not proud of that one.
“No, I’m not that proud of that, to be honest.
“The interim title is nice. But the longest-reigning one?
“I obviously wanted to contend for the undisputed in the time that I’ve been interim.”
Dana White’s latest Jon Jones vs Tom Aspinall update
Last month, Dana White watched from the front row as Ian Garry beat Carlos Prates in the UFC Kansas City main event.
Post-fight, the UFC CEO fielded questions from assembled media, who were keen to get the lowdown on Jones vs Aspinall amid mixed reports about the eagerly anticipated champion vs champion 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].”