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Reigning UFC Interim Heavyweight Champion Tom Aspinall has pivoted to a new challenger as his long-awaited showdown with Jon Jones stalls indefinitely. The bitter back-and-forth between Aspinall and Jones—fueled by social media jabs and interview taunts—has dominated headlines for months, yet the bout remains unsigned despite UFC CEO Dana White’s assurance of a 2025 clash.
With negotiations in limbo, Aspinall is shifting focus to stay active. But who’s stepping up to fill the void left by Jones? The answer lies in an unexpected callout from a rising contender hungry for his shot.
Aspinall has a new opponent
Brazilian heavyweight Jailton Almeida has thrown his hat into the ring, publicly challenging Aspinall via Twitter:
“If the fight against Jones doesn’t work, LETS GO Champ.” The No. 6-ranked contender didn’t stop there, taking a swipe at Ciryl Gane: “Forget Gane, he ducked you before… his last win was a robbery.”
Almeida’s confidence stems from a resurgence. After a knockout loss to Curtis Blaydes in March 2024, he rebounded with back-to-back first-round stoppages, reigniting his momentum. His aggressive grappling and striking make him a high-risk, high-reward opponent for Aspinall, who’s eager to defend his interim title.
Why Almeida makes sense—and why Gane doesn’t
Aspinall’s willingness to bypass Jon Jones reflects his urgency to fight. Jailton Almeida’s recent dominance contrasts sharply with Gane’s shaky resume. The Frenchman, a two-time title challenger, has faced criticism for avoiding top-tier grapplers—a weakness Almeida highlighted. “He’s ducking me now,” Almeida asserted, questioning Gane’s credibility as a contender.
For Aspinall, Almeida offers a chance to silence critics and stay sharp. A win could pressure Jones to commit or risk being sidelined by the UFC’s relentless schedule.
Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall: The stalemate explained
Despite White’s “100 percent” guarantee, Jon Jones’ return timeline remains murky. The heavyweight king, who knocked out Stipe Miocic at UFC 309, has yet to engage seriously with Aspinall’s camp. Aspinall accuses Jones of dragging his feet, tweeting:
“Stop wasting everyone’s time. Either fight or vacate.”
Jones, meanwhile, seems content to wait, prioritizing legacy bouts over interim threats. This impasse leaves Aspinall in a bind: defend his interim belt or risk irrelevance.
What’s next?
If Aspinall accepts Jailton Almeida’s challenge, the UFC could book the clash as a title eliminator—or even strip Jon Jones if delays persist. For now, Aspinall’s message is clear: “I’m not waiting around.” With Almeida’s rise and Jones’ silence, the heavyweight division’s future hinges on who steps into the cage next.
