Back at UFC 295, Tom Aspinall won the interim heavyweight title by knocking out streaking Russian power puncher Sergei Pavlovich in the first round. Since then, the Englishman has firmly established himself as one of the most talked-about 265-pounders.
He has made no secret of his desire to face undisputed heavyweight champion Jon Jones. Unfortunately for Tom Aspinall, ‘Bones’ has been adamant about facing Stipe Miocic, even after suffering a pectoral tear that prevented him from facing Miocic in the main event of UFC 295.
Tom Aspinall reacts to Jon Jones criticism with sarcasm
Tom Aspinall, the UFC interim heavyweight champion, has made himself the talk of the division. Fans are anticipating a potential fight between him and undisputed 265-pound champion Jon Jones, and they have reason to be. Inside the octagon, Aspinall has been nearly flawless.
Aspinall’s dissatisfaction with both Jones and the UFC’s continued pursuit of a fight with Miocic is well documented. When combined with Jones’ injury, Aspinall demanded that the heavyweight title be stripped from him. This elicited a retort from Jones, who was not pleased with the Englishman’s words.
You’re right. Sorry Jon https://t.co/6JWgipi7Eg
— Tom Aspinall (@AspinallMMA) December 5, 2023
In addition, Jones dismissed Aspinall’s attempt to influence the direction of the UFC heavyweight division. Aspinall, who has previously had an X/Twitter exchange with Jon Jones, responded with dry humor by sarcastically apologizing for his remarks, which drew a humorous response from fans online.
UFC still unmoved from Jon Jones vs Stipe Miocic fight plan
The heavyweight title fight between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic, scheduled for UFC 295, has been canceled due to the champion’s injury.
Jones tore his pectoral tendon during training, according to UFC president Dana White, and will need surgery that will keep him out for eight months.
BREAKING NEWS…………… Sergei Pavlovich vs Tom Aspinall for the Interim Heavyweight Championship. Main Event is Jiri Prochazka vs Alex Pereira. #UFC295 is LIVE at MSG on ESPN+ PPV pic.twitter.com/SaPAwpyHi2
— danawhite (@danawhite) October 25, 2023
Rather than having Miocic compete against someone else, White removed him from the card and replaced it with Sergei Pavlovich vs. Tom Aspinall for the interim heavyweight title at Madison Square Garden on November 11.
The main event for the MSG show will now be a fight for the vacant UFC light heavyweight championship between Ji Procházka and Alex Pereira.
Jones was set to defend his title for the first time after defeating Ciryl Gane for the vacant title at UFC 285 on March 4. His return to the UFC after a three-year absence was marked by his first fight in the heavyweight division.
Miocic was set to fight for the first time since losing the UFC heavyweight title to Francis Ngannou at UFC 260 in March 2021. The 41-year-old said he agreed to fight Jones in part because he was dissatisfied with the outcome of his previous fight.
Jones has stated that he intends to retire from competition after his fight with Miocic. In March, he told Fox Sports Australia that this fight “will be plenty for me” and that he wouldn’t “have too much to prove” if he beat Miocic.
This fight would have pitted two of the greatest fighters in UFC history against each other. Jones is widely regarded as the greatest MMA fighter of all time. He is a two-division champion (heavyweight and light heavyweight) with a 27-1 record and one no-contest out of 29 fights.
On the other hand, Miocic is a two-time UFC heavyweight champion who set a UFC record with three successful title defenses during his first reign. In his MMA career, he is 20-4 overall, with 15 knockout/TKO victories.
