Tom Aspinall's rise in the UFC heavyweight division is making waves, particularly with his recent knockout victory over Sergei Pavlovich to claim the interim title. Aspinall’s commanding performance against Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304 further solidified his reputation as a formidable force. However, the focus of the heavyweight division has been tumultuous, especially with the significant bout between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic facing repeated disruptions.
Jones vs. Miocic Bout Postponed
Initially scheduled for UFC 295 on November 11, 2023, the highly anticipated Jones vs. Miocic bout was postponed due to Jones' injury-induced withdrawal. In Jones’ absence, Miocic was also pulled from the card, leading to a wave of speculation about the future of one of the UFC's most-awaited fights. Rumors now suggest the bout might be rescheduled for UFC 309 on November 16.
Aspinall's Critique of Jones and Miocic
Amidst the uncertainty, Tom Aspinall has not held back in voicing his opinions about Jones, Miocic, and the current state of the heavyweight division. Aspinall has been vocal about his belief that neither Jones nor Miocic represents the pinnacle of today's heavyweight division. "They don't f---ing deserve to be fighting for the heavyweight title. Them guys are not the top of the heavyweight division right now. Dana White and everybody else can say whatever they want, them guys aren't the best heavyweights in the world right now,” Aspinall asserted.
Aspinall has also questioned Jones’ commitment and physical condition, insinuating that the legendary fighter is past his prime. "The guy's smart, and we know the guy's a bit overweight these days. The guy sat there with the Cheeto fingers or whatever, Doritos on his fingers with his iPhone in hand waiting for me to get knocked out [by Blaydes] so he could start tweeting about it," Aspinall remarked, clearly implying that Jones is no longer the dedicated athlete he once was.
Jones’ Goals and Future
However, Jones, now 37 years old, has his own perspective on his career and future plans. "I'm 37 years old now, I've kicked everyone's ass. My job is to finish strong and make an amazing movie. Go join Tom Brady, Floyd Mayweather and all the other retired bad asses," Jones stated, indicating his desire to retire on a high note, joining the ranks of other renowned sports legends.
Despite Aspinall’s criticisms, Jones remains a key figure in the heavyweight division. He acknowledges his past achievements and aims to end his career with memorable victories. "Maybe Tom will go on and beat Stipe's record one day, right now I'm focusing on goat things. The beautiful thing about being in my position is I'm not defined by one fight. Most of you grew up watching me win," Jones commented, emphasizing his legacy in the sport.
The Pressure to Prove
Aspinall, on the other hand, is relentlessly pursuing recognition as the best in the heavyweight division. "I'm the guy at heavyweight, not him -- me. I want to be recognized as the best. I've got the real belt. I'm the one defending. He's defending against a 42-year-old Stipe Miocic with a million miles on the clock. If you want to be the real guy, you have to fight me," Aspinall proclaimed, challenging Jones' status and calling for a showdown to settle who truly is the heavyweight king.
The tension between Aspinall and Jones has not gone unnoticed among UFC fans, who are eagerly awaiting a definitive clash to settle the debate. Aspinall’s growing confidence and Jones' legacy in the sport set the stage for an eventual confrontation, one that could redefine the heavyweight hierarchy.
As the heavyweight division navigates through postponements and heated rivalries, the UFC community remains captivated. With Aspinall's criticisms and Jones' eagerness to wrap up his illustrious career on a high note, the anticipation for future bouts continues to build. The rescheduled fight between Jones and Miocic might soon provide some clarity, but Aspinall’s call for recognition remains a looming challenge for any contender looking to be crowned as the ultimate heavyweight champion.