Interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall has finally received his wish and is set to battle Jon Jones for the heavyweight title. However, it seems that Jones has been slowing things down.
The British fighter revealed that there is no set date for the fight yet and that he is growing exhausted from constantly asking about it. Aspinall opened up about the situation and explained that Jones has not yet decided whether he will accept the fight or when it will happen.
“There are a lot of people out there who mainly know me for talking about Jon Jones, which is a shame, because I’ve done a lot in the UFC, and I’m fully aware of that,” Aspinall said on his YouTube channel. “I’ve been staying away from the media and talking about Jon Jones because, to be honest, I’m sick of talking about it myself. But there needs to be updates. I see a lot of articles online saying a lot of different things that just aren’t true. It’s simply not true.
“Where we’re at right now is that I’ve spoken to the UFC multiple times about this fight. I’m chasing it. I want the fight. I’ve gone on record and said that I want the fight. I’ve been on the phone with the UFC saying, ‘I want the fight. When’s it happening?’ I want the fight more than anyone. What’s holding it up right now is his side. That’s the truth of it.”
Aspinall also revealed that the UFC is eager for the fight to happen, with UFC President Dana White stating that he plans to finalize a deal for the title unification, but a date has yet to be set.
“The UFC really, really wants the fight to happen,” Aspinall said. “They’ve told me that. As I’ve said, this is one of the biggest fights that can be made in MMA right now, and everyone knows that. It’s just a matter of whether Jon Jones wants to put himself in a position where he’s financially comfortable enough to take the risk of fighting me. That’s where we’re at.
“As far as I’m aware, this is completely down to Jon Jones and his team to work out. Because I’m in. The UFC is in. They assure me that they desperately want to make the fight every time I speak to them. They say, ‘We’re working as hard as we can on the fight.’ I’m literally just waiting for a date.”
For now, it seems the delay is mostly on Jones’ end, and Aspinall says he would be content with Jones vacating the title. The interim champion made it clear that he is willing to face any contender, as long as it means getting a shot at becoming the undisputed champion.
“I’m not bothered who it’s against, to be honest. It’s not just the Jon Jones fight I’m looking for,” Aspinall explained. “I’m looking to fight. I’m in shape. I’ve been working hard since way before Christmas. I’ve been in the gym twice a day. My diet’s good. I’ve been sparring. I’ve got international training partners here. I’m prepared to fight anybody. But what’s holding it back is that the UFC wants to make the fight with me and Jon. As far as I’m aware, it’s now about financials, but otherwise, I’m not too sure. I’m just waiting for the call right now. I’m 100 percent ready to go.
“One thing that I want to make clear is that I’m only fighting for the undisputed title. That’s my only stipulation. I’ll fight absolutely anyone. If you look at my record, you can speak to any promoter I’ve ever worked with—UFC or otherwise—I’ve never turned down a fight in my life. I’ve never turned down an opponent, and I’m not going to start now. What we need to make clear is that I’ve done enough in the UFC to fight for the undisputed title. I am the best heavyweight in the world, and I just want a chance to prove it.”
Jones last fought in November, when he defeated former UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic in what appeared to be his retirement fight from the sport. Afterwards, Jones teased potential options for his future, including a possible matchup against current UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira, who has been dominating his opposition at 205 pounds lately.
