Aspinall's Dominance and the Heavyweight Debate
Tom Aspinall recently solidified his reputation in the UFC by clinching a decisive knockout victory over Sergei Pavlovich to earn the interim title. His commanding performance at UFC 304 against Curtis Blaydes further underscored his standing as a top contender in the heavyweight division. However, the trajectory of Aspinall's career appears to be interwoven with the looming figures of Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic, both revered yet questioned by Aspinall.
The much-anticipated bout between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic was initially slated for UFC 295 on November 11, 2023. However, an unfortunate twist saw Jones withdraw due to injury, leading to Miocic being pulled from the card as well. As rumors swirl about the rescheduling of their bout for UFC 309 on November 16, the heavyweight division finds itself at a crossroads, with Aspinall voicing strong opinions about the pecking order.
Aspinall hasn't been shy about criticizing Jon Jones, accusing him of avoiding the fight. "Let's be honest, and since I won that fight, he's gone completely quiet. He'll continue to go completely quiet about me until he retires. Because there's no way on Earth that he's going to fight me. Not a chance. I will retire Jon Jones without even fighting him," Aspinall remarked. He challenges the narrative that Jones has plans to face him, stating, "I challenge anybody watching this interview to go and find the statement, quote, a video where Jon Jones is saying that he'll fight me after he's fought Stipe. It doesn't exist."
In Aspinall's eyes, Jones is avoiding him, and he sheds light on the veteran fighter's current state. "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 criticized.
Both Jones and Miocic have storied careers, but Aspinall questions their current relevance in the heavyweight debate. "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," he stated emphatically.
Aspinall's hunger to be recognized as the best is palpable. "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 declared, drawing a stark contrast between his ambitions and the perceived fading legends of Jones and Miocic.
On the other hand, Jon Jones is keen on cementing his legacy, aiming to finish his career on a high note. "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 stated. At 37, Jones acknowledges the reality of his career's twilight years, saying, "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."
As fans eagerly await the rescheduled bout between Jones and Miocic, the heavyweight division's future hangs in a delicate balance. Aspinall's rise represents a new chapter, while Jones and Miocic strive to leave an indelible mark before hanging up their gloves. The forthcoming battles will not only determine championship titles but also shape the narrative of who truly stands at the pinnacle of the heavyweight division.