In a thrilling turn of events in the UFC heavyweight division, Tom Aspinall has emerged as a dominant force. Recently, Aspinall secured a decisive knockout victory over Sergei Pavlovich, earning him the interim title. This triumph has set the stage for a potential showdown with Jon Jones, a fighter notorious for his inactivity of late.
Aspinall's Dominance
Aspinall has been vocal about his standing within the division. In a recent interview, he expressed his confidence, saying, "Let's be honest, and since I won that fight, he's gone completely quiet. He'll continue to go completely quiet about me until he retires. Because there's no way on Earth that he's going to fight me. Not a chance. I will retire Jon Jones without even fighting him." His commanding performance at UFC 304 against Curtis Blaydes further solidified his position as a top contender.
Jones vs. Miocic - The Waiting Game
The much-anticipated bout between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic, originally slated for UFC 295 on November 11, 2023, hit a roadblock after Jones withdrew due to an injury. Consequently, Miocic was also pulled from the card, leaving fans in a state of suspense. Rumors suggest that this bout might be rescheduled for UFC 309 on November 16.
Jones, who is now 37 years old, has been candid about his career goals. "I'm 37 years old now, I've kicked everyone's ass. My job is to finish strong and make an amazing movie. Go join Tom Brady, Floyd Mayweather and all the other retired bad asses," he mentioned, indicating a desire to leave on a high note.
Challenges and Criticisms
Despite the setbacks, Jones remains a pivotal figure in the heavyweight landscape. Aspinall, however, has not shied away from criticizing Jones' lifestyle, accusing him of being overweight and inactive. "The guy's smart, and we know the guy's a bit overweight these days. The guy sat there with the Cheeto fingers or whatever, Doritos on his fingers with his iPhone in hand waiting for me to get knocked out [by Blaydes] so he could start tweeting about it," said Aspinall.
Aspinall also questioned the legitimacy of Jones and Miocic as top contenders in the current heavyweight division. "They don't f---ing deserve to be fighting for the heavyweight title. Them guys are not the top of the heavyweight division right now. Dana White and everybody else can say whatever they want, them guys aren't the best heavyweights in the world right now." He challenges the notion that his victory and interim title are any less significant than the planned bout between Jones and Miocic.
The Future of the Heavyweight Division
The discourse surrounding the true top fighters in the heavyweight division is heating up. Aspinall asserts, "I'm the guy at heavyweight, not him -- me. I want to be recognized as the best. I've got the real belt. I'm the one defending. He's defending against a 42-year-old Stipe Miocic with a million miles on the clock. If you want to be the real guy, you have to fight me." This declaration has many UFC fans eagerly awaiting the resolution of these disputes.
As the UFC navigates these changes, the potential rescheduling of the Jones vs. Miocic bout remains a focal point for enthusiasts. After years of dominance, Jones is looking to join the ranks of retired legends, wanting to end his career by aligning himself with the likes of Tom Brady and Floyd Mayweather. "Maybe Tom will go on and beat Stipe's record one day, right now I'm focusing on goat things. The beautiful thing about being in my position is I'm not defined by one fight. Most of you grew up watching me win," Jones remarked, reflecting on his storied career.
With fans and experts alike closely monitoring these developments, the heavyweight division promises more excitement and drama. The eventual clash between Aspinall and whoever stands as the division's top fighter could potentially redefine the UFC heavyweight hierarchy.