Tom Aspinall is poised to usher in a new era for the UFC heavyweight division, now that he has secured his status as the undisputed champion. Aspinall has expressed his ambition to chase championship glory, emphasizing that a potential fight with Jon Jones would have been one of the biggest matches of the year. However, with Jones’ retirement from the sport, Aspinall acknowledges the need for the division to evolve.
While there are speculations about his next fight, which appears to be against Ciryl Gane, Aspinall notes that there are few opponents who can match the significance that a bout with Jones would have offered. The heavyweight landscape currently lacks the star power it once had, prompting Aspinall to consider Alex Pereira as a desirable opponent. Aspinall addressed Pereira’s situation in a recent interview, pointing out that Pereira is currently focused on reclaiming his light heavyweight title after a loss to Magomed Ankalaev earlier this year.
Aspinall understands Pereira’s priorities, stating, “He’s got business to do at light heavy. I think that it’s a tough fight for Alex. It’s definitely one that he can win… I’d want to get that one back first if I were in his position.” This highlights the competitive nature of the sport and the strategic decisions fighters must make regarding their careers.
Despite the current limitations in terms of marquee names in the heavyweight division, Aspinall remains optimistic about its future. He mentioned that although the division may not be at its peak as it was during the days of champions like Cain Velasquez and Junior dos Santos, there is plenty of potential for growth and exciting matchups in the coming years. Aspinall’s determination to keep the belt active could invigorate the heavyweight scene.
With Aspinall at the helm, there’s hope for a resurgence in the heavyweight division, and fans can look forward to some compelling matchups as the sport continues to evolve.