Tom Aspinall reacts to Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic announcement:
“Of course I will… I’ll fight both of you on the same night if necessary. No problem.”
Please give me the absolute title.”
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— Championship Round (@ChampRDS)
September 15, 2024
Tom Aspinall plans to be prepared in case something goes wrong in the UFC 309 main event.
UFC CEO Dana White recently announced that Jon Jones (27-1) will defend his title against Stipe Miocic (20-4) in the main event of UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden in New York on November 16. Interim champion Aspinall is happy that the long-awaited matchup is finally confirmed and has requested a backup slot from UFC in case anyone is unable to compete.
“Finally, the heavyweight title is on the line,” Aspinall said on his YouTube channel. “Finally, it’s confirmed, and of course I’m going to go and watch these two fight. Of course, if somebody gets injured or nobody can make the fight for any other reason, if one of them pulls out, I’m ready to go, and I’ve told UFC that if necessary, I’ll fight them both on the same night, no problem.”
Jones and Miocic were originally scheduled to meet at UFC 295 in November 2023, but “Bones” was forced to pull out due to injury. Aspinall won the interim title with a knockout victory over Sergey Pavlovic in a last-minute bout on the same card.
Aspinall has since been working towards a title unification bout with Jones upon his return. However, Jones remains adamant about fighting the 42-year-old Miocic, and both have hinted at the possibility of retirement afterwards. While Aspinall was respectful of both Miocic and Jones at the start of their exchange, Aspinall has since changed tack somewhat. “Honey Badger” has likened Miocic to Joe Biden and repeatedly accused Jones of trying to fend him off to lure “Bones” into a fight.
Aspinall is delighted to finally be on his way to a chance to become undefeated heavyweight champion.
“Give me the absolute title,” Aspinall said, “because in my opinion there shouldn’t be two champions in one weight class. I think it’s ridiculous. That’s not what UFC is about, that’s not what MMA is about. There’s one fighter in each weight class and I believe that’s me. So, of course I’ll fight the winner. Like I said before, if they need me, I’ll be there. I’m fit and ready. I’m training right now and, if necessary, I’m ready to go to MSG on November 16th, where I won the title, and I’ll go back there and unify the titles there if necessary.”
Meanwhile, Jones reiterated his intention to retire after the Miocic fight during a brief interview during UFC 306 at the Sphere in Las Vegas on Saturday.
