Tom Aspinall is excited to kickstart a new era for the UFC’s heavyweight division now that he’s the undisputed champion.
While the Brit has claimed that he was only ever chasing undisputed status, a fight with Jon Jones would’ve been the biggest matchup of the year.
Though it looks like Aspinall has already got his next fight locked in, there isn’t another opponent that brings the same kind of stakes and attention that Jones would have.
The division needs to move on now that ‘Bones’ has retired even if Aspinall has taken a never say never approach to a potential clash with Jones.
With a current lack of big names in the division, Alex Pereira might be the most desirable opponent out there for the new champion, whom Aspinall addressed in a recent interview.
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Tom Aspinall believes that Alex Pereira is only focused on light heavyweight at this moment in time
In an interview with ESPN MMA, Tom Aspinall spoke about the fallout of Jon Jones’ retirement and what is next for him as the undisputed heavyweight champion.
A fight with Ciryl Gane appears to be on the horizon and whilst it’s a matchup that has been spoken about for some time, it’s a significant step down from the hype surrounding the Jones fight.
As one of the biggest names in the sport, Alex Pereira would be a huge addition to the heavyweight division if ‘Poatan’ decides to move up in the near future.
However, Pereira’s loss to Magomed Ankalaev earlier this year has put the Brazilian’s other plans on hold as he looks to try and reclaim his light heavyweight title later this year.
Aspinall acknowledged this when speaking about whether we could see him and Pereira face off in a heavyweight matchup that would draw a lot of attention.
“He’s got business to do at light heavy, you know what I mean? He just lost his title in a tough fight. I think that Ankalaev remains to be a really tough matchup for him and let’s see if he gets through the next one because, in my opinion, Magomed Ankalaev doesn’t get enough respect. The guy has ran through everybody and he just beat a long-standing champion, and he should be given respect in his own right for being a champion.”
Aspinall believes that while Pereira is capable of avenging his loss to Ankalaev, it’s understandable that this would be his one and only priority right now.
“I think that it’s a tough fight for Alex. It’s definitely a fight that Alex can win… I think, as far as his move up to heavyweight, I’m only speaking if I was in his position, I’d want to get that one back first.”
Tom Aspinall admits that the heavyweight division has ‘been better’ when looking at the current landscape
Outside of Jon Jones or Alex Pereira, there isn’t necessarily another marquee name that Tom Aspinall could face which would really get fans excited.
A fight with Ciryl Gane might be the most attractive matchup for the Brit, even if many believe that the Frenchman didn’t deserve to win his last fight.
Aspinall was honest when speaking to ESPN MMA about the current state of the division.
While he acknowledged that it might not be what it once was, the champion is optimistic that it will become stronger as he looks to keep the belt active.
“It’s been better, but it can get better, for sure. I think when we’re talking about the Cain Velasquez and Junior dos Santos days, Brock Lesnar involved and all those kinds of people, Fabricio Werdum etc, that’s when it was at its peak. Now it’s not maybe got as many big names involved. But, that’s there to be changed. There’s plenty of good guys there and I think that in the next few years we’re gonna see some really good fights with the heavyweights.”