Tom Aspinall is not interested in fighting Jon Jones

For Tom Aspinall, the idea of facing Jon Jones is not his primary concern. While the matchup between these two giants of the UFC heavyweight division has been widely discussed, Aspinall’s focus is much simpler: he wants what Jones has—the undisputed UFC heavyweight championship.

Aspinall: “I Want to Unify the Belts, Not Just Fight Jones

Since claiming the interim title at UFC 295 in November 2023, Aspinall has been vocal about his desire for a unification fight with Jon Jones. The interim title came into play after Jones was forced to withdraw from his scheduled bout with two-time former champion Stipe Miocic due to an injury. In a surprising twist, Sergei Pavlovich, who was initially set to face Jones, became the backup fighter for the vacant title, only for Aspinall to step in after just two weeks’ notice. In a dazzling display of skill, Aspinall defeated Pavlovich in 69 seconds to claim the interim title.

Since then, Aspinall has made it clear that his goal isn’t to chase Jones for a showdown but rather to unify the heavyweight titles. His statement after his dominant victory over Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304 in July further emphasized this, as he maintained his position as the interim champion.

Meanwhile, Jon Jones successfully defended his belt against Miocic in UFC 309 in September, but the question of when, or even if, Jones will face Aspinall remains uncertain. However, Aspinall has repeatedly stated that he is not particularly interested in fighting Jones just for the sake of it. For him, the real prize lies in the championship gold around Jones’ waist.

“I want to see if mine can stand up against his, but ultimately—I think a lot of people get this wrong, and Jon likes to spin the story—my interest isn’t in fighting Jon. My interest is what’s around his waist,” Aspinall said in an interview with TNT Sports. “Unifying the belts. I have one belt. He has one belt. There should only be one belt, not two belts.”

Tom Aspinall: “There Shouldn’t Be a Debate.”

Aspinall’s comments underline his belief that having two champions in the heavyweight division is unnatural and unnecessary. With the interim title still in place, there will always be an argument over who the “real” champion is. Aspinall finds this situation somewhat odd and believes it undermines the true essence of championship competition.

“There should be one face, one name, one champion, from flyweight to heavyweight; that’s what it’s all about,” Aspinall continued. “That’s what it’s always been about for me. That’s what it’s about for the fans. That’s what it’s about for the company.”

With two fighters holding belts in the heavyweight division, Aspinall finds it strange and counterproductive. The existence of the interim title has sparked unnecessary debate, and Aspinall is firm in his belief that such discussions have no place in MMA. “There shouldn’t be a debate. This is MMA; this isn’t boxing; this isn’t other sports,” he added, pointing out the need for a clear, unified champion in the sport.

Conclusion: Aspinall’s Focus on the Undisputed Title

While the potential showdown between Tom Aspinall and Jon Jones remains a topic of intrigue, the British contender is focused on a larger goal. Aspinall wants to put an end to the debate and claim the undisputed UFC heavyweight championship once and for all. For him, the fight against Jones is just a means to an end, a stepping stone to solidify his position as the one and only true champion of the division. With his impressive skill set, explosive power, and laser-sharp focus, it’s clear that Aspinall’s eyes are set on the ultimate prize, not just the fight itself.