In the world of the UFC, a new name is quickly rising to prominence: Tom Aspinall. The 30-year-old British fighter has made an indelible mark in the heavyweight division, most recently by defending his interim heavyweight title against the formidable Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304 in July. Aspinall's performance was nothing short of spectacular, further cementing his status as a force to be reckoned with.
UFC President Dana White didn't mince words when it came to praising Aspinall. He remarked, "What he did to Curtis Blaydes, the way he did it and how fast he did it, there is no doubt this guy is a scary dude and he looks like the future of the heavyweight division." These words underscore the impact that Aspinall has had on the sport in a relatively short amount of time.
With an interim title already to his name, Aspinall finds himself in a somewhat precarious position, waiting for his next big opportunity. The UFC has yet to schedule a title fight between reigning heavyweight champion Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic, something that has kept Aspinall in limbo since November 2023. This delay is especially significant considering that defending an interim title is a rare feat in the UFC's 31-year history, having only occurred on four occasions.
Meanwhile, Jon Jones remains the man to beat in the heavyweight division. Jones, renowned for his prowess in both the heavyweight and light heavyweight divisions, has shown a clear preference for matches against Stipe Miocic and current light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira. Yet, Dana White believes a showdown between Jones and Aspinall is inevitable. "He would be 'shocked' if Jones didn't want to fight the British contender," White said.
White continued, "You have Stipe and Jon -- who have paid their dues, they've been here forever, they've fought everybody and they've fought all the fights you can possibly fight -- these guys deserve to fight each other. Whoever wins that fight, I think they owe it to Aspinall to fight him and give him the opportunity that they've been given."
This upcoming bout between Jones and Miocic carries additional weight. White confirmed that Miocic will "100% retire" after the fight, adding a sense of finality to this encounter. With Miocic's impending retirement, the stakes are sky-high, not just for the fighters involved, but also for the likes of Aspinall, waiting in the wings for his shot at the title.
Adding to the intrigue, Aspinall already holds a remarkable achievement: he has more heavyweight title defenses than Jon Jones, a statistic that speaks volumes about his capabilities and potential. Although Jon Jones is the reigning heavyweight champion, his relatively recent transition to this weight class means he has not yet defended his title as many times.
For Aspinall, the future is brimming with possibilities and challenges. Dana White's words offer both a validation of Aspinall’s talents and a clear call to action for the path that lies ahead. "But at the same time, he's working his way up. He's climbing up the ladder. Everyone says, 'He deserves this and he deserves that.' The dude doesn't deserve anything. He looks great and he looks like he's going to be the guy."
In a sport where timing and opportunity are everything, Aspinall's ascent seems poised for a defining moment. As UFC fans await the long-anticipated clash between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic, the shadow of Tom Aspinall looms large, representing not just the future of the heavyweight division, but possibly the next era of UFC dominance.