Aspinall In The Dark While Jones ‘Is Playing Games Again’

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Tom Aspinall is still feeling like the odd man out in Ultimate Fighting Championship’s (UFC) Heavyweight division.

A UFC interim title just isn’t the same as it used to be. That’s in the case of England’s Aspinall, anyway. Unfortunately for the talented titlist, his hopes to challenge for undisputed gold haven’t felt realistic after winning the crown over Sergei Pavlovich via a 69-second knockout (watch highlights) at UFC 295 this past November 2023.

Current undisputed titleholder, Jon Jones, and company have remained adamant that his first defense will come against former two-time kingpin, Stipe Miocic, once he’s ready to return. Meanwhile, Aspinall can expect to also defend his title against another Heavyweight contender, which would ideally lead to a clash with the winner of Jones vs. Miocic. However, Jones expressed more interest in a potential fight with Light Heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira, over Aspinall this past week.

“If we can get old mate Jon to ever sign a contract with my name on the other side of the contract, I’ll talk about him for hours on this show,” Aspinall told TNT Sports (h/t MMA Fighting). “Hours. But right now, the guy is playing games again. Trying to convince the public what he wants and what he doesn’t want. Which he does really, really well. As I said, we can chat about Jon, if and when he ever signs a contract with my name on the other side of it. Because right now, let’s be honest, it’s not looking very likely.”

UFC returns to Aspinall’s home county of England for UFC 304 in Manchester on July 27, 2024. The event makes all the sense in the world for an Aspinall title fight, but the champion still does not indicate when or who he’ll be returning against.

“The last I knew, it was going to get announced this weekend [at UFC 301], and obviously that’s been and gone now,” Aspinall said when asked about UFC 304.

“Right now, I have no idea what’s going on,” he continued. “I wish I could come on the show, I wish I could announce on social media, I wish I could start dragging traffic that way, but right now I have no idea. I’m just getting myself prepared for that date. As far as opponents and stuff like that, I don’t know what’s going on right now.”