UFC interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall has agreed to battle Jon Jones and has begun training.
The British fight last competed at UFC 304 where he defended his interim title from Curtis Blaydes. Since then, Aspinall has consistently pursued a fight with Jon Jones for the unification of the heavyweight title but Jones has not been forthcoming.
“Bones” was out due to an injury in 2023 which left the tittle spot vacant leaving Aspinall to fill the spot. Despite Aspinall’s previous success, Jones has constantly overlooked the fighter and has dismissed ever stepping into the cage with the Briton. Jones revealed he would much rather face Pereira after an impressive comeback win over Stipe Moicic but UFC has other plans for the fighter.
After weeks of dismissing Aspinall and ignoring the fighter’s call out, Jones has finally decided to face the fighter. However, he says he will only do it for “ f*ck you money” which it seems the promotion has agreed to as UFC CEO Dana White said the fight was 100% guaranteed. Aspinall also confirmed he will be facing Jones later this year on his YouTube channel.
“Got to get back to reality now and get back training for the biggest fight in MMA at the moment,” Aspinall said.
“I don’t have any latest on the Jones fight, unfortunately,” Aspinall explained. “Just waiting at the moment. I’ve said yes to the fight. I’ve agreed to it, obviously, and that’s it. I’m just waiting for his side now and [for] the UFC to sort it out.”
“Yeah, I’m just training and getting everything focused to be as fit and ready as I possibly can because, who knows, they might spring the date on me quick,” Aspinall said. “Or they might say the date is in six months, I don’t know. But that’s always kind of what happens between fights anyway — you never really know when your next one is.”
Aspinall is hopeful he’ll get the chance to face the current heavyweight champ and one of the all-time greats.The 31-year-old remains positive the fight will happen, and if — and whenever — it does he’ll be ready.
