Tom Aspinall has a serious bone to pick with Jon Jones and recently sounded off on the reigning UFC heavyweight champion for his inactivity. The Englishman also took a shot at Dana White for seemingly heaping praise on 'Bones' at every possible opportunity.
Jones hasn't stepped foot in the octagon since his title win against Ciryl Gane at UFC 285 in March last year. While he was booked against Stipe Miocic at UFC 295 last November, he was forced to withdraw due to a pectoral injury.
Since last year, Aspinall has picked up high-profile victories over Marcin Tybura, Sergei Pavlovich, and Curtis Blaydes and has amplified his call for a title shot against Jones. However, the UFC seems intent on booking the Jones vs. Miocic fight, much to Aspinall's chagrin.
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During a recent appearance on the Believe You Me podcast, Aspinall addressed Jones' lack of activity and White seemingly being adamant about Jones being called the pound-for-pound best fighter ever. The Englishman said:
"He [Jones] was praying that I would lose that fight against Curtis Blaydes... Since I won that fight, he's gone completely quiet. There's no way on earth he's going to fight me... I will retire Jon Jones without even fighting him."
Aspinall continued:
"He's loving the fact that Dana White's getting on every interview possible; he's talking about bantamweights and Dana White flips it back and starts talking about how good Jon Jones is... I'm about being the best heavyweight in the world... It's well documented that Jon Jones isn't the best person in the world."
Check out Tom Aspinall's comments below:
Islam Makhachev on potential Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall title matchup
Islam Makhachev recently shared his thoughts on a Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall title fight and made it clear that he wanted to see the Englishman get his championship opportunity. The reigning UFC lightweight champion praised Aspinall's hunger as a fighter and wished to see him fight Jones.
During an interview with Hosheh MMA, Makhachev pointed out that the interim heavyweight champion has proven himself against high-profile contenders and deserves a title unification bout against Jones. He said:
"I want Tom Aspinall vs. Jon Jones... This guy [Aspinall] has interim [heavyweight] title, he defended the title, he don't have the real [title]. He have to fight for real one. Tom Aspinall really deserves [it]... Very good, still young, very hungry and this guy is one of the [most] dangerous guys in the world."
Check out Islam Makhachev's comments below: