Ali Akbar RosadyManchester, UK – As Tom Aspinall prepares for his inaugural defense of the undisputed UFC heavyweight championship against Ciryl Gane at UFC 321, the British fighter has articulated a clear desire to distance himself from the protracted drama involving former champion Jon Jones. Aspinall, who was recently elevated to undisputed status following Jones’ brief retirement and subsequent vacating of the title, expressed a definitive readiness to leave the chapter of pursuing Jones behind him.
"I’m over it," Aspinall stated in an interview with CBS Sports, reflecting on the considerable mental and emotional energy expended on the elusive matchup. "I’m definitely over it."
For nearly two years, Aspinall had actively sought a confrontation with Jones, a pursuit that proved consistently fruitless. Despite Aspinall’s consistent calls and undeniable performances, Jones repeatedly appeared to dismiss Aspinall’s credentials as a legitimate contender. This narrative culminated in Jones’ unexpected announcement of retirement and vacation of the heavyweight belt, a move that simultaneously cleared Aspinall’s path to undisputed champion and brought an abrupt end to the saga.
"I actually really love fighting," Aspinall explained, shifting his focus firmly to his upcoming bout. "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."
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Aspinall’s journey to the undisputed title was marked by a period of significant uncertainty and a series of events that positioned him as an unwitting participant in promotional machinations. His pivotal moment arrived in November 2023 at UFC 295. Stepping in on short notice, Aspinall faced Sergei Pavlovich for the interim heavyweight title. This interim bout was necessitated by the withdrawal of Jon Jones from a scheduled undisputed title defense against Stipe Miocic due to a torn pectoral muscle. Aspinall seized the opportunity with a dominant performance, securing a vicious TKO victory over Pavlovich in just 69 seconds. This win not only crowned him interim champion but also underscored his elite striking and rapid ascent in the division.
The expectation within the mixed martial arts community following Aspinall’s interim title victory was a unification bout against Jones. However, the UFC opted to reschedule the long-anticipated Jones vs. Miocic fight. This decision drew considerable criticism, as Miocic, at 42 years old, was coming off a four-and-a-half-year layoff and had last fought in March 2021. The perceived value of the fight diminished with each passing day, particularly when a compelling alternative in Aspinall was readily available. When Jones and Miocic eventually met, Jones secured a relatively straightforward victory, stopping Miocic easily. This outcome, 370 days after their initial booking had collapsed, left many questioning the competitive integrity of the matchup in the context of a legitimate championship picture.
"I wasn’t really allowed to fight anybody," Aspinall recalled of the period following his interim title win, expressing his primary motivation. "I just wanted to fight."
Jones, despite holding the undisputed title, never appeared to entertain the prospect of unifying it with Aspinall’s interim belt. Instead, public statements from Jones often floated the idea of "super fights" against other contenders such as Derrick Lewis and Jamahal Hill – matchups widely considered less compelling or deserving than a unification bout with Aspinall. Jones also reportedly pursued a more stylistically favorable fight against Alex Pereira, the light heavyweight champion, further indicating a disinterest in facing Aspinall.
The situation took an unexpected turn in June when Jones briefly announced his retirement and subsequently vacated the heavyweight title. This development, which reportedly caught Aspinall by surprise, instantly elevated the British fighter to undisputed champion by default. "I actually found out the same time you did, believe it or not," Aspinall said of learning about Jones’ retirement. He added, regarding his immediate reaction, "We finally get to fight then. Let’s move on."
Throughout the often-frustrating pursuit, Aspinall maintained a remarkably respectful demeanor, largely eschewing the aggressive trash talk common in fight promotion. While he did famously display a rubber duck on a UFC broadcast to subtly allude to Jones "ducking" him, this act was notably mild by the standards of the sport. Even when they met in person, Aspinall’s approach was described as a polite request for the opportunity he believed he had earned, rather than a confrontational exchange. Standing across from one of MMA’s most polarizing figures, Aspinall deliberately upheld a higher standard of conduct.
"I didn’t actively have an idea of how I’d approach it. I approached it in my usual way," Aspinall explained of his interactions with Jones. "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."
Aspinall’s tenure as interim champion was notable. He became one of only four fighters in UFC history to successfully defend an interim title, achieving this distinction against Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304. He also held the distinction of being the longest-reigning interim champion, commendations that, while impressive, also served as constant reminders of the state of limbo he had been in. His professional record of 14 wins and 3 losses, with an exceptional 11 KOs and 3 submissions, underscores his formidable finishing ability and well-rounded skill set, making him a significant force in the division.
Now, with the Jones chapter decisively closed, Aspinall is poised to truly define his own legacy. His first challenge as undisputed champion comes in the form of Ciryl Gane, a former interim heavyweight champion himself and a fighter known for his fluid striking, athleticism, and evasive movement. Gane (12-2 MMA, 9-2 UFC) has challenged for the undisputed heavyweight title twice before, losing to Francis Ngannou via unanimous decision at UFC 270 and submitting to Jon Jones in the first round at UFC 285. This upcoming bout at UFC 321 represents a critical opportunity for Gane to re-establish himself at the pinnacle of the division and shake off the perceptions of his previous title challenges. For Aspinall, it is a chance to solidify his reign and demonstrate that his path to the undisputed title was not merely a default but a rightful ascension.
Aspinall’s focus is now entirely on the active pursuit of his passion. "I just want to fight. I want to be as active as possible. I’m going to fight as frequently as I can," Aspinall affirmed, outlining an ambitious target of three fights 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 commitment to activity marks a clear departure from the frustrations of the past two years, signaling a new era for the UFC heavyweight division with Tom Aspinall at its helm, ready to forge his own path.
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