Tom Aspinall’s more aggressive approach toward Jon Jones is completely intentional.
Aspinall’s (15-3 MMA, 8-1 UFC) verbal attacks on Jones (27-1 MMA, 21-1 UFC) have gotten the UFC heavyweight champion’s attention but not the fight Aspinall so eagerly desires. Jones insists on defending his title against Stipe Miocic, leaving interim heavyweight champ Aspinall in a quandary. But with Jones vs. Miocic yet to have an official date, Aspinall is staying ready just in case.
“We’re still waiting. I’m training with that in mind. As far as I am concerned, I am training to fight potentially in November,” Aspinall told TNT Sports. “So no matter what happens, I’ll be fit and ready to go in November. No confirmation of the fight yet, no confirmation if I am the backup yet, they did tell me that after my last fight (vs. Blaydes). The heavyweight title fight between Stipe and Jon Jones is not official yet, so still waiting.”
Aspinall continues to poke at Jones. He thinks his strategy could end up paying off – or at least he hopes so.
“He wants the easy fight, Stipe for now,” Aspinall said of Jones. “But I have the faith. Jon’s getting a bit ticked off with me at the minute, which is my intention. I’m trying to test his ego to see if he could be like, ‘Actually, I’m the man at heavyweight. I’m going to show you.’
“So that’s what I’m working on at the moment. It seems that Jon is getting a little bit fuming with me, so that’ll be nice if he continues that. He might be trolling everybody. Who knows?”
