Nothing is official, but Tom Aspinall says he has already started training as if he were getting into a UFC championship fight in November.
With an expected heavyweight title fight booking between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic for November, Aspinall (15-3 MMA, 8-1 UFC) has begun his preparation in case the UFC comes calling for a replacement opponent.
The promotion has yet to designate Aspinall as the official backup for Jones vs. Stipe, but that won’t stop him from preparing as if he were.
“I’m back training,” Aspinall said on his YouTube channel. “I started ticking a little bit in the gym again, preparing for the rumored fight – which isn’t confirmed yet – which is obviously Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic, New York City.
“Like I said, this fight hasn’t been confirmed, but after my last fight with Curtis Blaydes, there was some talk about being the backup fighter. The UFC spoke to me directly about that. I said, ‘I’m in. Somebody pulls out, I’m in.'”
Jones won the UFC heavyweight title vacated by Francis Ngannou in March 2023 but has yet to defend it. He was supposed to return last November against Miocic but suffered an injury and has been out ever since. Meanwhile, Aspinall won the UFC interim title against Sergei Pavlovich and defended it in July against Curtis Blaydes.
Yet, despite Aspinall’s body of work, the UFC has stayed firm on maintaining the bout with Miocic, who hasn’t fought since 2021. Although offered no proof, Aspinall claims 42-year-old Miocic suffered an injury and might not make it to the fight, giving him even more of a reason to stay ready.
“Like, I said, these are just rumors at this point,” Aspinall said. “There’s a lot of talk, but there’s nothing announced yet. These are all rumors. I’m hearing rumors that Stipe is potentially injured. This is stuff I’m hearing from the inner circle.
“Stipe, I believe his birthday was yesterday (Aug. 19), he’s 42 years old. Jon Jones, a million miles on the clock, he’s going to be injury prone. Me, I’m ready to go, lad. I’m not even in my prime yet. I’m hungry for it, lad. I’m not sure these two guys are, but I am, and I’ll fight either of them for the undisputed title on any notice. I’m ready.”
