Tom Aspinall only fighting Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic winner after UFC 304 – unless they retire
MANCHESTER, England – Tom Aspinall won’t fight anyone but the winner of Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic.
Interim heavyweight champion Aspinall (15-3 MMA, 8-1 UFC) defended his belt with a first-round knockout of Curtis Blaydes in Saturday’s co-main event at Co-op Live.
Heavyweight champion Jones is expected to defend his belt against Miocic next. Aspinall won’t compete again unless undisputed gold is part of the equation, and has no interest in fighting the winner of Ciryl Gane vs. Alexander Volkov.
“Like who?” Aspinall responded at the UFC 304 post-fight news conference when asked if he would fight someone else. “No. I’m fighting Jon Jones or Stipe. Let’s not discredit Stipe and what he’s done. I think a lot of people are looking past him. Probably, maybe sometimes me, to be honest, but whoever wins that one, I’m fighting next for sure. Unless they both retire.”
UFC CEO Dana White likes the idea of Aspinall weighing in as a backup for Jones vs. Miocic, and Aspinall will make sure he’s there.
“I’ll be ready to go in November,” Aspinall said. “There’s talks of November, isn’t there? They’re talking about fighting in November. Where’s the announcement and contract signed? Because I don’t really know where that is at the moment. So, I’ll be ready to step in November if someone gets injured, which is quite likely, let’s be honest. I’ll be ready, mate.”
Aspinall is confident he’s the No. 1 heavyweight and wants a chance to prove it.
“I have nothing against Jon Jones as a person,” Aspinall said. “I think I’m the best heavyweight world, and if he thinks he’s the best heavyweight in the world, let’s settle it. Simple as that. It’s not rocket science. It’s two guys who are claiming to be the best in the world. Let’s settle it, simple as that.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 304.