Tom Aspinall over Jon Jones’ drama as he preps for first undisputed title defense: ‘I just wanted to fight’

For the better part of two years, the British heavyweight contender found himself embroiled in a frustrating, ultimately fruitless pursuit of a confrontation with Jon Jones, widely regarded as one of mixed martial arts’ all-time greats. Aspinall’s ambition to face Jones for the undisputed UFC heavyweight championship was a constant undercurrent to his impressive rise through the division. However, despite his consistent calls and undeniable performances, Jones repeatedly sidestepped the challenge, often attempting to discredit Aspinall’s legitimacy as a top contender before eventually announcing a brief retirement. Now, with Jones officially out of the picture for the time being, and Aspinall having been elevated to undisputed champion following Jones’s vacation of the title, the focus has shifted entirely to the task at hand: defending the championship.

"I actually really love fighting," Aspinall told CBS Sports, reflecting on the arduous period. "Doing that is what I like. Having nothing holding me back and doing what I enjoy doing, what I got into this sport to do, is what I’m looking forward to more than anything else." This sentiment underscores a desire to return to the fundamental essence of his profession, unburdened by promotional politics or the strategic maneuvering of other fighters.

Aspinall (14-3, 7-1 UFC) emerged as an unexpected, yet dominant, force in the heavyweight division. His journey to the undisputed title was accelerated by circumstances beyond his control. In November 2023, he stepped into a critical role at UFC 295, a card that had been thrown into disarray by Jones’s withdrawal due to a torn pectoral muscle, forcing the cancellation of an undisputed title fight between Jones and Stipe Miocic. Aspinall seized the opportunity on short notice, delivering a spectacular 8-second knockout victory over the formidable Sergei Pavlovich (18-1, 13 KOs) to claim the interim heavyweight title. The win, a brutal display of speed and power, cemented his status as a legitimate threat to any fighter in the division and underscored the urgency for a unification bout.

Logic dictated that the next step would be a unification clash between the interim champion, Aspinall, and the reigning undisputed champion, Jones. However, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) opted to re-book the highly anticipated, albeit increasingly criticized, matchup between Jones and former two-time heavyweight king Stipe Miocic. Miocic, at 42 years old and coming off a four-and-a-half-year layoff, had not competed since March 2021. The prolonged delay and Miocic’s advanced age raised questions about the competitive integrity of the matchup. When the two legends finally met at UFC 309, 370 days after their initial booking had collapsed, Jones secured a decisive victory over Miocic, who appeared visibly diminished after his extensive period of inactivity.

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The path, it seemed, was now clear for the fight fans truly wanted: Jones versus Aspinall. Yet, the narrative continued to twist. "I wasn’t really allowed to fight anybody," Aspinall revealed, articulating his frustration during this period of uncertainty. "I just wanted to fight."

Jones, despite his victory over Miocic, showed no inclination to grant Aspinall the unification bout he had demonstrably earned. Instead, the former light heavyweight champion publicly dismissed Aspinall’s credentials, floating what many considered "laughable ‘super fights’" against contenders like Derrick Lewis and Jamahal Hill, and expressing a preference for a stylistically more favorable matchup against light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira. Then, without significant warning or public lead-up, Jones announced his brief retirement and subsequently vacated the heavyweight title in June. This unexpected turn of events paved the way for Aspinall to be officially recognized as the undisputed UFC heavyweight champion by default, a resolution that arrived in an anti-climactic manner.

"I actually found out the same time you did, believe it or not," Aspinall said, recalling his reaction to Jones’s retirement. His immediate response, a pragmatic acceptance, underscored his eagerness to move past the drama: "We finally get to fight then. Let’s move on."

Throughout his protracted and ultimately unfulfilled pursuit of Jones, Aspinall maintained a remarkably respectful demeanor, a stark contrast to the often-acrimonious rhetoric common in fight promotion. While he did famously flash a rubber duck on a UFC broadcast, playfully poking fun at Jones for "ducking" him, such gestures were mild by the standards of the fight game. Even during a face-to-face encounter with Jones, the interaction was characterized by a polite request for the opportunity he believed he had earned, rather than any confrontational theatrics. Standing across from one of MMA’s most polarizing figures, Aspinall consciously held himself to a higher standard, choosing authenticity over manufactured animosity.

"I didn’t actively have an idea of how I’d approach it. I approached it in my usual way," Aspinall explained. "I guess that’s just the way I am. I don’t know. I didn’t try to do anything. I was doing things the only way I know how, which is by being myself." This commitment to his own character has resonated with fans and critics alike, painting him as a grounded professional focused purely on athletic achievement.

Aspinall holds the distinction of being one of only four fighters in UFC history to successfully defend an interim title, and he was, for a period, the longest-reigning interim champion. While these are commendable distinctions, they also serve as stark reminders of the prolonged limbo he endured, a situation he never desired. With the Jon Jones chapter now officially closed, Aspinall can finally free himself from the shackles of that two-year narrative and fully concentrate on forging his own legacy as the undisputed heavyweight king.

His immediate challenge is Ciryl Gane (12-2, 9-2 UFC) at UFC 321. Gane, a highly technical and evasive striker, represents a significant test. The French contender has previously fought for the undisputed heavyweight title twice, first against Francis Ngannou and then against Jon Jones, falling short on both occasions. For Gane, this bout carries immense weight, with many viewing it as a "now or never" opportunity to shake the misconceptions surrounding his game and finally capture UFC gold. Aspinall’s first defense will be a clash of elite heavyweights, each with a compelling narrative driving their performance.

Looking ahead, Aspinall is clear about his objectives for his reign. "I just want to fight. I want to be as active as possible. I’m going to fight as frequently as I can," he stated, outlining an ambitious goal of competing three times within the next 12 months. "I don’t know how that’ll look because you never know what life will throw your way. But I want to get back to what I do, and what I do is fight people." This active approach stands in contrast to the often-sporadic heavyweight title defenses seen in recent years, signaling a new era for the division under Aspinall’s leadership.

As Aspinall prepares for UFC 321, his focus is solely on Gane and the opportunity to cement his status as the undisputed champion. The shadow of Jon Jones, once an all-consuming presence, has receded, allowing Aspinall to step fully into the spotlight and define his own remarkable championship narrative.

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