Following his impressive 69-second knockout at UFC 295 in New York, Tom Aspinall is sharing some thoughts on how the UFC heavyweight division is currently being managed.
In Aspinall’s view, he believes it might be time for Jon Jones to step aside temporarily due to his recovery from a pectoral tear, suggesting that his own knockout victory over Pavlovich should have earned him the vacant belt rather than just an interim title.
Tom Aspinall Knockout Triumph at UFC 295 Sparks Discussion on Heavyweight Title Management
Despite his joy at winning the interim title, Aspinall is a bit disappointed about the possibility of Jones defending the title against Stipe Miocic in 2024 instead of a unification bout with him. In a recent statement, Aspinall said, “I think Jon Jones should be temporarily stripped of the title because that’s usually the protocol when fighters are injured like that. I’m not sure why he’s still holding onto it. Personally, I believe I should be the true champion right now.”
Aspinall’s eagerness to prove himself as the rightful champion is clear as he questions the significance of a Jones-Miocic matchup. He’s looking for meaningful fights and isn’t quite sold on the concept of legacy fights, saying, “Why are we talking about this legacy fight, and why do they get special rules? What does a legacy fight even mean? Is it a retirement fight for a title? I just want to face Stipe first and then take on Jon Jones. The rest seems a bit unnecessary. Let’s give everyone a fair shot.”
In suggesting a shift in the promotion’s approach, Aspinall is urging the UFC to reconsider its stance on Jones, hoping for a fair opportunity to showcase his skills in a title unification bout. As the heavyweight division continues to evolve, Aspinall’s friendly insistence on proving himself as the legitimate champion adds an interesting layer to the story of UFC 295 and the future of the heavyweight title.
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