Former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping has come to the defense of his fellow Brit, Tom Aspinall, after Jon Jones accused the heavyweight titleholder of being a “quitter.” Jones’ remarks followed Aspinall’s recent no-contest bout against Ciryl Gane at UFC 321, where the fight was halted after an accidental eye poke rendered Aspinall unable to continue.
Jon Jones takes aim at Tom Aspinall
Jones didn’t hold back when discussing Aspinall’s performance, labeling the reigning UFC heavyweight champion as “overrated” and questioning his resilience. Jones referenced multiple incidents in Aspinall’s career, including his 2022 fight against Curtis Blaydes where he suffered a torn ACL just 15 seconds into the match.
The former light heavyweight king claimed Aspinall had a history of giving up too easily, even pointing to an early-career submission loss in 2015. Jones’ comments sparked backlash among fans and fighters alike — with Michael Bisping leading the charge in defense of Aspinall’s character and professionalism.
Michael Bisping defends Aspinall’s integrity
Bisping, known for his sharp analysis and no-nonsense attitude, firmly rejected Jon Jones’ criticism during an episode of his YouTube show. The UFC Hall of Famer emphasized that Tom Aspinall’s decision to stop fighting after the eye poke was based on legitimate medical reasons, not a lack of toughness.
“We knew a few days after the fight with Ciryl Gane that he still couldn’t see,” Michael Bisping explained. “To say the man’s a quitter, it’s not really fair.”
Bisping also addressed Jon Jones’ mention of Aspinall’s knee injury against Curtis Blaydes, explaining that continuing under those circumstances could have caused permanent damage.
“You throw a kick, something happens in your knee, something breaks, something tears – just because the guy didn’t continue fighting doesn’t make him a quitter,” he said. “The man was in a tremendous amount of pain. It was done. It was over.”
Michael Bisping further defended Aspinall’s 2015 heel-hook submission loss, highlighting that tapping quickly in such a situation is a smart, career-preserving decision rather than a sign of weakness.
Tom Aspinall’s reputation within the UFC has been built on his explosive performances and professionalism. Despite injuries, he remains one of the division’s most promising talents. UFC CEO Dana White recently confirmed that Aspinall and Gane are expected to run it back once Aspinall receives medical clearance, setting the stage for a highly anticipated rematch.