Tom Aspinall was able to capture the interim heavyweight title at UFC 295 after an injury sidelined Jon Jones and forced him off the card. The No. 1-ranked heavyweight also defended his interim title at UFC 304, solidifying his place as the division's top contender. While 'Bones' returns at UFC 309, he will face Stipe Miocic - as the pair had originally been booked to clash - and not Aspinall.
The interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall recently aimed at both the heavyweight champion and UFC CEO Dana White. When asked who would leave first if the three of them were locked in a room together, Aspinall responded:
"Depends what's going on in there, doesn't it? Depends what's going on. What are they up to? Dana and Jon. Because I might leave if them two are up to something. I don't know. Don't know. It's a bit of a strange question. I'm not sure."
Check out Tom Aspinall's comments on Jon Jones and Dana White below (12:45):
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Aspinall has continued to call out Jones, hoping to convince the heavyweight champion to delay his retirement plans for a title unification bout. 'Bones' has revealed that his next bout will likely be his last trip to the octagon, ending one of the greatest careers in combat sports.
Tom Aspinall reacts to Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic announcement
Jon Jones is officially set to return to the octagon in November when he faces Stipe Miocic at UFC 309. Tom Aspinall reacted to the official announcement in a video shared to his YouTube account, stating:
"Big Jon Jones, big Stipe Miocic, matched up with one another, finally. It's official. November 16th, MSG, New York City. The heavyweight title is on the line at long last. Finally, we are confirmed for it. I, of course, will be there to watch these two gentlemen go at it. I, of course, have told the UFC if anybody gets injured or there's any other reason why nobody can make it to that fight, why one of them might pull out, I'm ready to go."
Aspinall continued:
"If I need to, I'll fight both of them in the same night, no problem. Give me my undisputed title because, in my opinion, it should not be two champions in one weight division. I think that is silly. This is not what UFC is about. This is not what MMA is about. There's one guy each weight division and I believe it's me. So, I'll be fighting the winner, of course."
Check out Tom Aspinall's comments on Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic below (10:05):
Aspinall noted that he has begun training in case the opportunity to step in arises. Jones and Miocic had originally been set to clash at UFC 295, however, the former was forced to withdraw from the bout after tearing the tendon connecting the pectoral muscle to the bone. They appear set to finally share the octagon in November.