Tom Aspinall claims UFC spoke to him about being backup for Jones vs. Miocic: ‘If somebody pulls out, I’m in’
Tom Aspinall is ready to jump at any opportunity to fight Jon Jones.
At UFC 304, Aspinall successfully defended his interim heavyweight title with a 60-second smashing of Curtis Blaydes; and while the title defense was exceptional, it still didn’t manage to earn Aspinall the one thing he wants most: a fight with Jones.
Jones is the current UFC heavyweight champion, having won the vacant title by defeating Ciryl Gane in 2023, and is dead set on facing former heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic in his first title defense. Rumor has it that fight will finally happen at UFC 309 in November, and should that be the case, Aspinall has dibs.
“Jon Jones, I know you’ve got your fight coming up,” Aspinall said in a YouTube video. “Apparently it’s in November, against Stipe Miocic. Nothing has been announced or signed yet, as far as I’m aware, but if that does happen, I’ll be there, I’ll be ready to jump in with either of you guys for the undisputed title if one of you is going to pull out.
“But if you successfully defend against Stipe in November, I will be there in the crowd, I’ll be there front row. I want you to hand me the undisputed title as you walk past me please. Thank you.”
Aspinall has been trying to get a fight with Jones since winning the interim belt last fall, to no avail and despite growing backlash to Miocic getting a title shot despite being 42 years old and having not competed in over three years. But there may be a sliver of light at the end of the tunnel for Aspinall, as the Englishman revealed that the UFC has already spoken to him about being the backup fighter for the Jones-Miocic matchup.
“After my last fight with Curtis Blaydes, there was some talk about me being the backup fight,” Aspinall said. “The UFC spoke to me directly about that. I said I’m in. If somebody pulls out, I’m in... I’ll be prepared for that date, so you let me know. I’ll be there. I’m ready to take the fight. I’m the No. 1 in the division, not Jon Jones, not Stipe Miocic. They’re a couple of older fellas having a fight, fighting for the title for some reason. I don’t know why that reason is. But I am the guy at heavyweight and I’m ready to prove that on an hour’s notice if I need to.”
“... I’m hearing rumors that Stipe is potentially injured,” Aspinall added. “These are stuff that I’m hearing from the inner circle. Stipe... he’s 42 years old. The guy is going to be injury prone. Jon Jones, a million miles on the clock, he’s going to be injury prone. Me, I’m ready to go. I’m not even in my prime yet. I’m hungry for it. 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.”
Despite Aspinall’s claims, sources told MMA Fighting that Jones vs. Miocic is still expected to take place this November.
Ultimately, its a tough situation for Aspinall who has wins over five fighters currently ranked in the UFC’s top-10 at heavyweight and simply wants his chance to prove what he believes to be true: that he is actually the best heavyweight in the world.
“Jon Jones had an amazing career. I ain’t putting Jon Jones down,” Aspinall said. “Jon Jones isn’t the best heavyweight in the world right now. That’s me. So I want what’s mine. I’m pissed off for greatness. I believe that I should be the No. 1 heavyweight in the world. I’ve done what it takes to deserve that and I’m ready to prove it. Jon Jones isn’t. That’s all I’m saying. Nothing against Jon and his career.
“The issue I have with Jon is he’s got the belt and I want it. I want it. I’ve got a belt too and I want to unify the belts. There shouldn’t be two heavyweight champions, there should be one, and I want it to be me. So that’s all I’m going for now...
“The issue is not with Jon. The issue is not with Stipe. The issue is with them holding the belt hostage. Give me the belt... The belt’s mine. I want it. I’m here for it. I’m here to take it. If you think you’re the man at heavyweight, I’ll take anybody. I’ll fight anybody for the undisputed belt.”