Tom Aspinall wants Stipe Miocic to take a lesson from the 46th President of the United States.
Despite extensive calls for UFC to scrap Miocic’s expected title challenge against UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones, UFC CEO Dana White tripled down on his promotion’s plans to proceed with the bout this past week, arguing that Jones and Miocic “both deserve it” and that he’s “showing both of these guys the respect” of rebooking the matchup after it fell through in November 2023 at UFC 295 due to a Jones shoulder injury.
Aspinall instead stepped up at UFC 295 and captured the interim heavyweight title with a first-round knockout of Sergei Pavlovich. He then defended that interim belt at UFC 304 with a 60-second knockout of Curtis Blaydes, successfully avenging the only loss of his UFC career. Afterward, Aspinall made it clear to MMA Fighting that he’s only willing to fight in a title unification bout next — and at this point, he’s sick of waiting on Jones and Miocic.
“Get Stipe out of there,” Aspinall told TNT Sports on Friday. “Let’s be honest. The guy is 43 years old, he’s had a four-year layoff, and his last fight was a knockout loss. Granted, he’s an absolute legend in this sport. He’s the best heavyweight ever — like statistically, he’s the best heavyweight ever. But the guy needs to be pulled out of the race.
“The guy needs to be Joe Biden’d, mate. He’s too old. No one’s that interested anymore. And I respect Stipe a lot. Pull him out, stick me in. It’s right though, isn’t it? It is right.”
Miocic, 41, is actually set to turn 42 years old on August 19, but Aspinall’s point still stands. A two-time UFC heavyweight champion, Miocic has not fought since losing his title with a brutal second-round knockout loss at the hands of Francis Ngannou in March 2021.
For context, Alex Pereira’s UFC debut came in Nov. 2021, meaning the 2024 frontrunner for Fighter of the Year has competed nine times, captured two different divisional titles, and strung together a UFC Hall of Fame résumé in less than the 40 months since Miocic’s most recent octagon appearance.
Biden, of course, withdrew from the 2024 U.S. presidential race in July following a catastrophic debate performance against Republican nominee Donald Trump that prompted widespread questions about the 81-year-old’s mental fitness for another term.
Aspinall may simply be an Englishman dipping his toes into American politics, but he feels Miocic should take the hint and do the same for the upcoming title bout against UFC heavyweight champion Jones, which is expected to take place November in New York City.
“Get Joe Biden out of there,” Aspinall said. “Stick me in.”
