Tom
Aspinall isn’t exactly moving on from Jon Jones just
yet, but he is willing to consider the possibility of facing other
opponents.
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Jones returned from hiatus at UFC 309,
where he defeated Stipe Moicic to retain the heavyweight title this
past November. “Bones” implied that it would require a significant
payday to entice him to face Aspinall, the reigning interim
heavyweight king, in a championship unification bout.
UFC CEO Dana White has
expressed optimism that the fight would eventually happen, but
thus far, there have been no significant updates on that front.
According to Aspinall, any delay is coming from Jones’ side.
“Where we’re at right now is, I have spoke to the UFC on multiple
occasions on this fight,” Aspinall said on his YouTube channel.
“I’m chasing it. I want the fight. I’ve been on record and said
that I want the fight. I’ve been on the phone with the UFC saying,
‘I want the fight. When’s it happening?’ I want the fight more than
anyone. What is holding it up right now is his side. That’s the
truth of it. The UFC really, really want the fight to happen.
They’ve told me that. This is one of the biggest fights in MMA.
Does he want to put himself in a position where he’s comfortable
enough financially to take the risk that he’s taking to fight me?
And that is where we’re at.
“The UFC tell me, they assure me they are doing everything they can
to make this fight. So as far as I’m aware, this is now totally
down to Jon Jones and
his team to work that out. I’m literally just waiting for a date.
But what’s holding it back is the UFC want to make the fight with
me and Jon, and as far as I’m aware, it’s now about maybe
financial, or otherwise. I’m not too sure, to be honest. I’m just
waiting for the call right now.”
Aspinall captured the interim title with a first-round knockout of
Sergei
Pavlovich at UFC 295 and then defended the belt with an
opening-round stoppage of Curtis
Blaydes at UFC 304
this past July. At this point, the 31-year-old Englishman isn’t
dead set on facing Jones, but he does want to ensure that his next
Octagon appearance is for the undisputed heavyweight crown —
whether that’s against “Bones” or another opponent.
“I’m not bothered who it’s against, to be honest. It’s not just the
Jon
Jones fight I’m looking for,” Jones said. “I’m looking to
fight. I’m in shape. I’ve been working hard since way before
Christmas. I’ve been in the gym twice a day. My diet’s good. I’ve
been sparring. I’ve got international training partners here. I am
prepared to fight anybody. But what’s holding it back is the UFC
wants to make the fight with me and Jon. As far as I’m aware, it’s
now about maybe financial, otherwise, I’m not too sure to be
honest. I’m just waiting for the call right now. I’m 100 percent
ready to go.
“One thing that I want to be really clear on, I am only fighting
for the undisputed title. That’s my only discrepancy. I will fight
absolutely anyone. We can look through my record, you can speak to
any promoter that I’ve ever worked with, UFC or otherwise, I have
absolutely never turned down a fight in my life. Never turned down
an opponent and I’m not going to start now. What we need to be
clear on is that I have done enough in the UFC to fight for the
undisputed title. I am the best heavyweight in the world and I just
want a chance to prove it.”