Tom Aspinall is still confident a fight with UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones will happen.
Aspinall, who holds the interim heavyweight title, is eager to face Jones in a fight that could unify the heavyweight belts.
Following a “very positive” meeting with UFC executives, Aspinall is “very, very optimistic” that the fight will materialise, setting the stage for what could be one of the biggest showdowns in MMA history.
The Road to Aspinall vs Jones
Jon Jones successfully defended his heavyweight title at UFC 309 last Saturday with a third-round knockout victory over Stipe Miocic.
While the fight celebrated two legends of the sport, Miocic’s three-year layoff and recent loss to Francis Ngannou raised questions about the matchup’s significance.
Meanwhile, Tom Aspinall has been carving his path to the top of the heavyweight division, capturing the interim title and defending it in dominant fashion.
Despite being slotted as a backup for UFC 309, Aspinall didn’t have to step in at the last minute, as Jones and Miocic made it to fight night. Instead, Aspinall watched on from the Madison Square Garden crowd.
Tom Aspinall: “If I was Jon I’d work the kicks a little bit more”
Jon Jones: *spinning back kick KO*
🎥 @AspinallMMA #UFC #MMA #UFC309
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) November 17, 2024
Aspinall Confident a Fight vs Jones Will Happen
Speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show, Aspinall expressed how he believes the fight with Jones is inevitable.
“Jon’s a lot smarter than people think. He knows what he’s up against,” Aspinall said.
“Jon’s just flirting with everybody. Jon’s being a sassy little flirt with everybody and it’s great. It’s fantastic, I love it. This fight is going to happen, man.”
"Jon's being a sassy little flirt… This fight is going to happen."@AspinallMMA shares his level of optimism after meeting with the UFC brass after UFC 309 👀 pic.twitter.com/ZSnqVDh1gr
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) November 18, 2024
Aspinall emphasised that his focus isn’t on Jones specifically but on becoming the undisputed champion.
He also made it clear that he wouldn’t wait indefinitely for the fight, referencing Michael Chandler’s two-year limbo waiting for Conor McGregor.
“This is zero disrespect to Michael Chandler, but I just said that I don’t want to be in a Michael Chandler situation,” Aspinall said. “I’m not interested in it. [UFC] assured me that that’s not going to happen.
“I want to be active and fight while I’m healthy and young,” Aspinall said. “I just don’t want to be stuck in that situation.”
Aspinall Says a Fight With Pereira is ‘Probably Easier’ for Jones
Aspinall pointed out that while Jones may be eyeing a potential showdown with UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira, he believes the fight with Aspinall is far more dangerous for Jones due to their size and skillset.
Aspinall is a physically imposing fighter, and he doesn’t buy into Jones’ reasoning that the weight difference between them is a significant disadvantage.
“Stylistically, [Pereira’s] probably an easier fight [for Jones],” Aspinall said. “I’m heavier than him, but we’re fighting in the same division. He chose to come up to heavyweight.
“So I know he talked about me being a lot bigger than him, but we’re technically in the same weight division. That ain’t my problem, bro.”
Jon Jones’ Future: Will He Fight Aspinall?
The biggest question lingering around Jones is whether he will retire before facing Aspinall, as some fans and fighters have feared.
It seems that Jones, at 37 years old, will only entertain a future bout with Aspinall for the right financial incentives.
Aspinall, who has already defended his interim title with a first-round knockout of Curtis Blaydes in July 2024, is confident that the fight between him and Jones is still very much a possibility.
After a “very positive” meeting with UFC executives, Aspinall is optimistic about his future prospects.
“I’m very, very optimistic,” Aspinall said of the discussions with the UFC brass.
He emphasised that negotiations were still in the early stages but reassured fans that things were moving in the right direction.
Jon Jones now has a 20-fight unbeaten streak, the longest in UFC history 😲
DIFFERENT 🔥 #UFC309 pic.twitter.com/SDnxEKSy0V
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) November 17, 2024
Aspinall also made it clear that he believes Jones would need to be well-compensated for a fight with him, given that he is one of the most dangerous opponents Jones could face at this stage of his career.
“I think [Jones] should be compensated well,” he added. “I agree, because I’m a damn dangerous fight for him. The most dangerous of his career at this stage. By far. And he knows it. Of course he wants money.”
While the timeline for the potential fight with Jones remains unclear, Aspinall is eager to become undisputed heavyweight champion.
“Throw me in a pair of gloves, tell me where. I’ll be there,” he concluded.
