Tom Aspinall has accepted it. He’s the odd man out.
UFC CEO Dana White hasn’t publicly given an inch to any idea other than UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones vs. former champion Stipe Miocic as the promotion’s next heavyweight title fight.
However behind the scenes has been different, according to Aspinall (14-3 MMA, 7-1 UFC), who revealed Tuesday on X that the promotion offered him Miocic (20-4 MMA, 14-4 UFC) for UFC 300, to which he said yes and his proposed opponent said no.
“While we are talking about @StipeMiocic, my manager was contacted by the UFC asking if I’d like to fight him on Apr 13th,” Aspinall wrote. “I, of course, accepted.
Aspinall continued, “A little later, we were told @StipeMiocic doesn’t even want to fight me, and (is) only interested in fighting @JonnyBones.”
While we are talking about @stipemiocic , my manager was contacted by the UFC asking if I’d like to fight him on apr 13th. I, of course, accepted
— Tom Aspinall (@AspinallMMA) January 23, 2024
A little later, we were told that @stipemiocic doesn’t want to fight me, and only interested in fighting @JonnyBones
— Tom Aspinall (@AspinallMMA) January 23, 2024
Aspinall has voiced frustration with the UFC’s matchmaking meritocracy, or lack thereof, in recent weeks. Aspinall earned the interim UFC heavyweight title in November, but is in limbo as Jones (27-1 MMA, 21-1 UFC) is out until at least mid-2024 as he recovers from a torn pectoral muscle and elbow surgery.
Perhaps feeling like he wasted his breath, Aspinall said he’s done complaining about the unfortunate situation.
“On that note. I will stop crying, accept it ain’t gonna happen and enjoy the fight that me and all the other fans want to see,” Aspinall wrote. “Legend vs legend for the heavyweight title. Maximum respect guys. Yay”
On that note. I will stop crying, accept it ain’t gonna happen and enjoy the fight that me and all the other fans want to see. Legend vs legend for the heavyweight title. Maximum respect guys. Yay
— Tom Aspinall (@AspinallMMA) January 23, 2024
Aspinall’s tweets Tuesday come days after a back-and-forth with Jones over what the next title fight should be. Jones responded to critics’ calls for a different fight by downplaying Aspinall’s resume. Aspinall said Tuesday he understands Jones’ position and lack of eagerness to change course away from Miocic.
“Since me and Jon had our little twitter beef I see Jon’s point of view,” Aspinall wrote. “… Believe it or not I respect @JonnyBones and everything he has done. So impressive. I wish him all the best in his recovery and return against @StipeMiocic.”
FYI these “new” quotes of me talking about @JonnyBones are weeks old. Since me an Jon had our little twitter beef I see Jon’s point of view
— Tom Aspinall (@AspinallMMA) January 23, 2024
Believe it or not I respect @JonnyBones and everything he has done. So impressive. I wish him all the best in his recovery and return against @stipemiocic
— Tom Aspinall (@AspinallMMA) January 23, 2024
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 300.
