Tom Aspinall would like to get some solutions on his subsequent struggle similar to everyone else.
Whereas he continues enjoying the ready sport with hopes that he’ll get the possibility to face Jon Jones in a heavyweight title unification bout, the 31-year-old interim champion is exhausted with the fixed questions on that matchup as a result of at this level, it’s all out of his management. So Aspinall provided an in depth replace that places the goal instantly on Jones to resolve whether or not or not he plans to just accept the struggle.
“There’s lots of people on the market who know me primarily for speaking about Jon Jones, which is a disgrace, as a result of there’s quite a lot of stuff I’ve accomplished within the UFC and I’m utterly conscious of that,” Aspinall stated on his YouTube channel. “I’ve been staying away from the media and speaking about Jon Jones loads as a result of in all honesty, I’m sick of speaking about it myself. However there must be updates. I see quite a lot of articles on-line saying a load of various issues which might be simply not true. It’s simply not true.
“The place we’re at proper now could be I’ve spoke to the UFC on a number of events about this struggle. I’m chasing it. I need the struggle. I’ve been on report and stated that I need the struggle. I’ve been on the telephone with the UFC saying that I need the struggle, when’s it occurring? I need the struggle greater than anybody. What’s holding it up proper now could be his aspect. That’s the reality of it.”
Jones final fought this previous November when he dispatched former UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic in what served as his retirement struggle from the game. Afterwards, Jones teased potential choices for his future, which additionally included a attainable matchup towards present UFC gentle heavyweight king Alex Pereira, who has been torching his opposition at 205 kilos recently.
In the meantime, UFC CEO Dana White has gone so far as guaranteeing he would ultimately strike a deal to make Aspinall vs. Jones in 2025 however he hasn’t given any specifics so far as a date or location for that matchup.
Aspinall guarantees he’s accepted the struggle and advised the UFC he’s proud of any date or location as long as the undisputed title goes up for grabs.
“The UFC actually, actually need the struggle to occur,” Aspinall stated. “They advised me that. As I stated, this is likely one of the largest fights that may be made in MMA proper now and everyone is aware of that. All people is aware of it. It’s simply does he wish to put himself able the place he’s snug sufficient financially to take the chance that he’s taking to struggle me. That’s the place we’re at.
“So far as I’m conscious, that is completely right down to Jon Jones and his group to work that out. As a result of I’m in. The UFC are in. They guarantee me that they desperately wish to make the struggle each time I communicate to them. They stated ‘we’re working as onerous as we are able to on the struggle.’ I’m actually simply ready for a date.”
Including a brand new wrinkle to the saga, Aspinall stated that if Jones doesn’t wish to face him or simply decides he’s not fascinated with defending his heavyweight title any longer, that’s OK, too.
Greater than something, Aspinall simply needs the chance to grow to be undisputed UFC champion so if that highway travels via Jones or one other contender like Ciryl Gane or Jailton Almeida, then he’s able to signal the contract tomorrow.
“I’m not bothered who it’s towards, to be sincere, it’s not simply the Jon Jones struggle I’m searching for,” Aspinall defined. “I’m trying to struggle. I’m in form. I’ve been working onerous since method earlier than Christmas. I’ve been within the gymnasium twice a day. My food plan’s good. I’ve been sparring. I’ve bought worldwide coaching companions right here. I’m ready to struggle anyone. However what’s holding it again is the UFC needs to make the struggle with me and Jon. So far as I’m conscious, it’s now about possibly monetary, in any other case, I’m not too positive to be sincere. I’m simply ready for the decision proper now. I’m 100% able to go.
“One factor that I wish to be actually clear on, I’m solely preventing for the undisputed title. That’s my solely discrepancy. I’ll struggle completely anybody. We will look via my report, you may communicate to any promoter that I’ve ever labored with, UFC or in any other case, I’ve completely by no means turned down a struggle in my life. By no means turned down an opponent and I’m not going to begin now. What we have to be clear on is that I’ve accomplished sufficient within the UFC to struggle for the undisputed title. I’m one of the best heavyweight on the earth and I simply need an opportunity to show it.”
Regardless of his willingness to compete sooner relatively than later, Aspinall is aware of that the UFC finally needs to make the struggle with Jones as a result of that’s the matchup that not solely makes essentially the most sense however it’s additionally undoubtedly a really profitable struggle for the corporate.
Contemplating he’s already laid waste to the overwhelming majority of high 10 ranked heavyweights, Aspinall acknowledges that his choices are considerably restricted however he’s not the one placing up a roadblock proper now to forestall the division from transferring ahead.
“I’m not right here to show anybody down,” Aspinall stated. “I’m not right here to be a diva. I’m not right here to get more cash. I’m right here to be thrilling, to do what I really like and to go on the market and end guys and that’s completely what I wish to do however proper now it isn’t me holding up this division. Let’s get it transferring.
“Proper now it’s being held up and it’s not being held up by me. I wish to struggle. I must struggle for the undisputed heavyweight title as a result of most of those different high 10 heavyweights I’ve overwhelmed within the first spherical. Anyone else who I’ve not beat, I’m keen to leap in there and take them out as effectively.”
There’s no telling at this level how lengthy negotiations may drag out earlier than the UFC would contemplate different choices, which is why Aspinall actually hopes Jones comes to a decision quickly — at the least so he can know what he’s doing for the remainder of 2025.
“Keep in mind what I stated fairly some time in the past now, I’ll retire Jon Jones with out even preventing him?” Aspinall recounted. “That’s one thing that I stated.
“Jon, let’s do it. If you wish to do it, you don’t need to ask me twice. If not, I’ll struggle anyone else for the undisputed belt. Joyful to struggle anyone, any time, anyplace, it doesn’t matter, I’m able to go.”
