Tom Aspinall has officially moved on from the waiting game with Jon Jones. The interim UFC heavyweight champion recently announced that he has secured a date and location for his next bout, confirming he will face a new opponent instead of continuing to chase a unification bout with the elusive "Bones" Jones.
Tom Aspinall confirms return, dismisses Jon Jones
During an appearance on the Good Guy / Bad Guy podcast hosted by Daniel Cormier and Chael Sonnen, the British powerhouse didn’t mince words about his frustration over the stalled talks with Jon Jones. Aspinall claimed that the reigning heavyweight titleholder has “retired” from the sport and made it clear that he’s no longer focused on waiting for a fight that may never come.
“Guys, why are we still talking about Jon? He’s retired. He’s done,” Aspinall declared.
“I said a long time ago, ‘I’m gonna retire Jon without even fighting him’. That’s what’s happened.”
Tom Aspinall’s comments signal a major shift in the heavyweight landscape. Fans and analysts had long hoped to see a blockbuster title unification bout between the young, rising British fighter and the MMA legend. However, with Jon Jones sidelined and showing no clear intention of returning, Aspinall is stepping forward to keep the division active.
The active heavyweight champion is here
With no fights taking place at the top of the heavyweight rankings for months, Aspinall stressed the need for momentum in the division. He revealed that a date and location for his next Octagon appearance have already been locked in, teasing that the announcement will be made official soon.
“This is exciting times for the heavyweight division. We get some movement,” Tom Aspinall said.
“People are literally forgetting that heavyweights exist. Nobody has fought for so long, this is crazy. We’ve got a guy holding it up.
That’s old news. The active heavyweight champion is here to fight them all, let’s get it on.”
While he hasn’t yet revealed who his next opponent will be, the implication is that Aspinall is moving full speed ahead, with or without Jon Jones. With UFC fans growing impatient, his decision to push forward may inject the division with the energy it’s been sorely lacking.
The road ahead
Whether his next opponent is a top-ranked contender like Sergei Pavlovich, Ciryl Gane, or even Stipe Miocic remains to be seen. What’s certain is that Tom Aspinall is ready to defend his interim belt and make his case as the true heavyweight king—Jon Jones or not.