Interim UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall is optimistic about landing a title showdown with Jon Jones after receiving positive signals from UFC officials. Following his impressive victory over Stipe Miocic at UFC 309, Jones, who holds an MMA record of 28-1, announced his intention to continue competing, effectively dispelling retirement speculation.
Aspinall, who served as a backup for the fight, was closely observing Jones’ post-fight remarks and felt encouraged when he caught the attention of UFC executives Dana White and Hunter Campbell during the celebration. “When Jon Jones was doing his speech, I was looking directly at the UFC brass, Dana and Hunter,” Aspinall recounted on the ESPN post-fight show. “Both of them turned to me at the same time and pointed at me and winked. So to me, that says there’s something big in the pipeline.”
Having spent the week leading up to the event prepared for a potential last-minute call to fight, Aspinall is now leaving New York feeling confident that he will face Jones next to unify the heavyweight championship. This confidence is bolstered by White’s previous comments that the victor of the UFC 309 main event would face Aspinall.
“This is massive,” Aspinall stated, expressing his enthusiasm. “This is potentially one of the biggest fights in MMA right now. If that doesn’t interest Jon Jones, then I don’t know what else we can do. Everybody knows that this is the fight to make. This is the fight the people want. This is the fight the UFC wants, this is the fight the fans want, and this is the fight that has to happen now.”
In summary, Aspinall appears poised to seize a significant opportunity in his career by potentially facing one of the greatest fighters in MMA history. His belief in the inevitability of this matchup is not only a reflection of his confidence but also an indication of the excitement surrounding the heavyweight division. It’s an exhilarating time for fans, who are eager to witness such a monumental clash in the octagon.
Overall, the anticipation for this potential bout is high, and it promises to be a thrilling event that could redefine the heavyweight landscape in the UFC.