Interim UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall has make clear the extended delay in scheduling a title unification bout with Jon Jones. The British fighter, who claimed the interim belt with a decisive victory over Curtis Blaydes in July 2024, has been vocal about his need to face Jones and unify the heavyweight division however to no avail.
Why Haven’t We Seen Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall?
Aspinall’s frustration is palpable as he explains, on his YouTube, that the holdup seems to be on Jon Jones’ facet. Regardless of repeated assurances from UFC officers that the struggle will ultimately happen, Aspinall means that Jones could also be hesitant resulting from monetary issues or different undisclosed causes. This standoff has left the heavyweight division in a state of uncertainty.
The interim champion has made it clear that he’s prepared and prepared to step into the octagon at any time. Tom Aspinall’s eagerness to show himself in opposition to one of many sport’s best fighters is obvious in his latest statements. He emphasizes that his purpose is to struggle for the undisputed title, to not defend the interim belt once more.
“I’ve spoken to the UFC on a number of events on this struggle. I’m chasing it, I would like the struggle, I’ve been on report and stated that I would like the struggle. I’ve been on the telephone with the UFC saying I would like the struggle. When is it occurring? I would like the struggle greater than anybody … What’s holding it up proper now’s [Jon Jones’] facet. That’s the reality of it. The UFC actually desires the struggle to occur. They’ve instructed me that. This is without doubt one of the greatest fights in MMA … The UFC tells me, they guarantee me that they’re doing all the things they will to make this struggle. So far as I’m conscious that is now completely all the way down to Jon Jones.”
Because the MMA world watches and waits, the query stays: When will we see the UFC heavyweight division unified?