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

"I’m over it," Aspinall told CBS Sports, reflecting on the two-year period dominated by his efforts to secure a fight with Jones. "I’m definitely over it." This sentiment underscores a palpable relief and a renewed sense of purpose for Aspinall, who ascended to the undisputed championship under unusual circumstances following Jones’s retirement.

Aspinall’s journey to the undisputed heavyweight title has been marked by both rapid success and considerable frustration. His professional mixed martial arts record stands at an impressive 14 wins and 3 losses, with a notable 11 victories coming by knockout and 3 by submission, demonstrating a high finishing rate and well-rounded skill set. Since joining the UFC in 2020, Aspinall has quickly climbed the ranks, securing significant victories over established heavyweights such as Alexander Volkov, Marcin Tybura, and Sergei Pavlovich. His average fight time in the UFC has been remarkably short, often ending bouts in the first round, which has cemented his reputation as one of the most dangerous finishers in the division.

The primary source of Aspinall’s recent frustrations stemmed from his inability to secure a unification bout with Jon Jones. Jones, widely considered one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time with a professional record of 27 wins, 1 loss (a disqualification), and 1 no-contest, transitioned to the heavyweight division in 2023, capturing the vacant title against Ciryl Gane at UFC 285. Following this victory, Jones was expected to defend his title against Stipe Miocic, a former two-time UFC Heavyweight Champion and often regarded as the greatest heavyweight in UFC history, boasting a record of 20 wins and 4 losses.

The highly anticipated Jones vs. Miocic bout was initially scheduled for UFC 295 in November 2023. However, Jones suffered a torn pectoral muscle, forcing him to withdraw from the event. This unforeseen circumstance created an opportunity for Aspinall, who stepped in on short notice to face the formidable Sergei Pavlovich for the interim heavyweight title. Pavlovich, known for his devastating striking and an impressive six-fight first-round knockout streak in the UFC, presented a significant challenge. Aspinall, however, rose to the occasion, securing a dominant TKO victory over Pavlovich in just 69 seconds, claiming the interim championship. This victory not only solidified Aspinall’s status as a top contender but also made him one of only four fighters in UFC history to successfully defend an interim title, a distinction he held as the longest-reigning interim champion before his undisputed elevation.

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With Aspinall holding the interim title, the natural progression would have been a unification bout against Jones. However, the UFC opted to reschedule the Jones vs. Miocic fight, a decision that drew criticism from parts of the MMA community, which perceived it as prioritizing a legacy fight over a clear divisional progression. The rescheduled bout eventually took place at UFC 309, more than a year after its initial booking. Miocic, at 42 years old and returning from a four-and-a-half-year layoff since his last fight against Francis Ngannou, appeared to show signs of ring rust and age. Jones capitalized on this, stopping Miocic easily with a body shot knockout in the first round, retaining his title.

Despite Jones’s successful defense, the path for Aspinall to unify the titles remained obstructed. Jones publicly dismissed Aspinall’s legitimacy as a threat and, instead, began floating the idea of "super fights" against other contenders such as Jamahal Hill, the former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, and Derrick Lewis, a veteran heavyweight contender. He also reportedly pursued a more favorable stylistic matchup against Alex Pereira, the current UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, signaling a clear intention to avoid Aspinall. This period of uncertainty and perceived avoidance deeply frustrated Aspinall, whose primary desire was simply to compete. "I wasn’t really allowed to fight anybody," Aspinall lamented. "I just wanted to fight."

The resolution to this stalemate came abruptly in June when Jones announced his retirement from mixed martial arts and subsequently vacated the UFC Heavyweight Championship. This sudden development, which caught many by surprise, including Aspinall himself, instantly elevated the Briton to the status of undisputed champion. "I actually found out the same time you did, believe it or not," Aspinall revealed, reflecting on the moment he learned of Jones’s retirement. His reaction was pragmatic and forward-looking: "We finally get to fight then. Let’s move on."

Throughout the protracted pursuit, Aspinall maintained a remarkably respectful and professional demeanor, a stark contrast to the often-combative promotional tactics seen in combat sports. While he did famously display a rubber duck during a UFC broadcast, subtly poking fun at Jones for "ducking" him, his approach remained largely devoid of personal attacks or inflammatory rhetoric. When he did meet Jones in person, the encounter was not a confrontation but a polite request for the opportunity he believed he had earned. Aspinall’s adherence to his own principles was evident in his self-assessment: "I didn’t actively have an idea of how I’d approach it. I approached it in my usual way. 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."

With the Jon Jones chapter now officially closed, Aspinall is poised to embark on his first undisputed title defense at UFC 321 against Ciryl Gane. Gane, with a professional record of 12 wins and 2 losses, is a highly skilled striker known for his exceptional movement, technical precision, and athleticism. He previously challenged for the interim heavyweight title against Derrick Lewis at UFC 265, winning by TKO, and later faced Francis Ngannou for the undisputed title at UFC 270, losing via unanimous decision. His most recent title shot was against Jon Jones at UFC 285, where he suffered a first-round submission loss. This bout against Aspinall represents a critical opportunity for Gane to re-establish his claim to the heavyweight throne and shake off any lingering perceptions from his previous title challenges.

For Aspinall, UFC 321 is more than just a title defense; it is an opportunity to forge his own legacy, free from the shadow of Jon Jones. His stated ambition is clear: "I just want to fight. I want to be as active as possible. I’m going to fight as frequently as I can," Aspinall declared, expressing a desire for three fights within the next 12 months. This commitment to activity and competition is a testament to his pure love for the sport, a sentiment that has driven his career trajectory. "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."

UFC 321, scheduled to take place at a yet-to-be-announced venue, will be a pivotal moment for Aspinall. It marks his transition from a challenger, then an interim champion, to the undisputed king seeking to define his reign. The narrative has shifted from chasing a legend to building his own. His performance against Ciryl Gane will not only determine the immediate future of the heavyweight division but also set the tone for Aspinall’s tenure as the undisputed champion, a role he is clearly eager to embrace with consistent activity and dominant performances.

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