Tom
Aspinall understands why Jon Jones
desires to battle Stipe
Miocic.
Jones (27-1, 1 NC) was initially scheduled to defend his
heavyweight strap towards Miocic (20-4) at UFC 295 in November 2023
however was pressured out resulting from a torn pectoral muscle. To maintain a
heavyweight title tilt on the cardboard, Tom
Aspinall (14-3) confronted and knocked out Sergei
Pavlovich for the interim selection. Since then, Jones has
steered he’ll keep the course and has his sights set solely on
the previous heavyweight champion fairly than the surging
31-year-old.
With no timeline for Jones’ return, Aspinall initially known as for
the champ to be stripped of his title. Nonetheless, the Brit has since
modified his tune and has been rallying for a conflict towards Jones.
“Bones” doesn’t need that matchup; the identical goes for Miocic. Some
anticipate that when Jones and Miocic collide—a date for his or her assembly
is rumored for November—it is going to be a retirement match for each
heavyweights.
With Jones and Miocic turning him down, Aspinall agreed to defend
his interim throne towards Curtis
Blaydes (18-4) within the co-main occasion at UFC 304. Jones took a
shot on the interim title protection, labeling it a ‘primary
contender’ battle. Regardless of the snub, Aspinall doesn’t maintain any unwell
will in direction of Jones or Miocic, even saying he understands the place they
are coming from. Aspinall talked with Title
Sports activities Community on Saturday, the place he steered that he would possibly
have completed the identical if he have been in Jones’ scenario.
“No, no, no. I’d be very, very stunned if Jon Jones ever
signed a contract to battle me,” the 31-year-old Brit stated.
“Very Shocked. I don’t suppose it’s gonna occur. I’m very
skeptical. Jon Jones is a
good man. And if the shoe was on the opposite foot and I used to be in his
spot, and I used to be like, ‘Proper, I can battle this 42-year-old man
who’s on the finish of his profession and make in all probability 5 occasions extra
cash than he can combating me,’ I might positively do this as
properly.”
