Tom Aspinall is asking it like it’s.
Saturday’s UFC 309 important occasion options heavyweight champion Jon Jones taking up Stipe Miocic in what’s being billed as a conflict of legends, with Jones being extensively considered one of many best fighters of all-time and Miocic holding the file for many title defenses (4) by a heavyweight in UFC historical past.
Notably not a part of the headliner is Aspinall, the reigning interim heavyweight champion that has often known as for Jones to satisfy him in a unification bout. Jones and Miocic have been initially scheduled to battle 12 months in the past, however the bout was postponed attributable to Jones struggling a pectoral damage. The UFC determined to remain the course with the matchup, leaving Aspinall to defend his title within the meantime whereas nonetheless carrying the interim tag.
Aspinall is ready to weigh in as a backup for Saturday, however he nonetheless wonders why it’s not him vs. Jones within the first place.
“Massive heavyweight title battle this weekend,” Aspinall stated on his YouTube channel. “Little bit of an odd one as a result of in all honesty, who is admittedly that on this battle being a title battle? I’ve by no means stated something about Jon Jones’ profession or Stipe’s profession and I by no means will. I respect what they’ve carried out of their careers. Superb careers. What I’ve received towards this battle specifically is it’s contested for an undisputed heavyweight title.
“For me, and I’m seeing on-line for lots of different folks, that is removed from undisputed. That is probably the most disputed title you can presumably get as a result of it’s two champions and one of many champions, Jon Jones, is avoiding the opposite champion, me. He’s chosen to battle a 42-year-old Stipe, who’s had a incredible profession, each guys have had incredible careers, nice legacy, however let’s be trustworthy, these are two previous farts combating one another for a title and occupying it, which is a bit bizarre.”
Jones has been fast to refute the notion that he’s “ducking” a battle with Aspinall, although he additionally hasn’t dedicated to ever combating the interim champion. The opportunity of retirement looms for the 37-year-old and he has additionally proven curiosity in combating gentle heavyweight champion Alex Pereira. Jones has repeatedly stated he’s taken with enhancing his legacy, which incorporates his legendary 2011-2020 run that noticed him set up himself as not solely the very best to ever compete at 205 kilos, however arguably the very best to ever compete in MMA, interval.
To Aspinall, none of that issues, as he’s centered solely on settling the talk of who is actually the No. 1 heavyweight proper now.
“The factor with Jon is he’s a bit like a politician,” Aspinall stated. “He likes to regulate the narrative of what followers assume. I’ve by no means as soon as come after Jon’s legacy. I feel it’s unbelievable, I feel his legacy goes to be superior to mine and many of the guys who’re combating within the UFC. By no means had an issue along with his legacy. I’ve by no means had an issue with him, personally.
“The issue is he has the heavyweight title and I’m the No. 1 heavyweight on the planet. Since I’ve been a younger boy, since I first began coaching, me and my dad have had this dream that I’m going to be the undisputed UFC heavyweight champion of the world and he’s received it and he’s holding it hostage and he gained’t battle me for it. That is nothing towards Jon, that is nothing towards his legacy, that is nothing towards his profession, that is nothing towards who he’s combating, what he’s combating for, if he’s combating for cash, for legacy, for fame, no matter. It is because I would like the belt and he’s received it. That’s all I’m after. That’s all I give a shit about is me being the undisputed, No. 1 heavyweight strolling round on planet Earth and he’s avoiding me.”
Aspinall is at present the No. 1 heavyweight within the MMA Preventing International Rankings, whereas Jones and Miocic are absent from the listing attributable to crossing the 18-month inactivity threshold (Miocic has not fought since March 2021).
Regardless of Aspinall holding a number of highlight-reel wins over the very best of the heavyweight division, Jones has dismissed him as an intriguing challenger, which really is sensible to Aspinall given Jones’ current previous.
“Individuals are beginning to act shocked, ‘Jon’s a duck, Jon’s a duck, this, that, and the opposite,’” Aspinall stated. “Jon Jones ducked Francis Ngannou for 3 years. Don’t be shocked that this man all the time takes fights the place he’s on the benefit. And that’s not me getting at Jon, these are the details of it. Jon’s a really sensitive man and he likes to be good about his method and management the narrative of followers by saying he’s the GOAT—which he’s undoubtedly received a case for—by saying, ‘This man Tom Aspinall’s a no one.’
“I’m a no one who has a No. 1 rating and has completed 5 of the top-10 guys within the first spherical. I’m one among them top-10 guys, in order that’s 9 guys. 5 of them I’ve beat within the first spherical, so there’s solely 4 guys left within the high 10 who I haven’t beat. So I ain’t coming only for Jon Jones, I’m coming for the belt. Whoever has the belt is who I wish to battle if I’m not the champion.”
All Aspinall can do now’s watch for the Jones vs. Miocic rivalry to lastly be resolved and see if the winner sticks round. If it’s Jones, Aspinall hopes that logic prevails and that “Bones” lastly agrees to face him.
“Jon stated I must battle extra champions, however that is the issue I’ve received,” Aspinall stated. “Jon is the champion and he gained’t battle me and he says that he gained’t battle me as a result of it’s an excessive amount of of a raffle.”
“And Jon, when you’re not into playing your legacy, that to me sounds such as you’re afraid of shedding towards me,” Aspinall added.