Tom Aspinall is eager to stop focusing on Jon Jones, who has occupied much of his attention and emotions. Now, as he prepares to defend his undisputed UFC heavyweight title against Ciryl Gane at UFC 321, Aspinall is determined to move on from the former champion for good.
Aspinall told CBS Sports, “It’s over. I definitely got over it.” For nearly two years, he pursued Jones, but despite his efforts, Jones undermined Aspinall’s legitimacy as a contender before ultimately retiring. With Jones out of the picture, Aspinall has stepped up as the undisputed champion and is ready to push forward.
He expressed his passion for fighting by saying, “I actually love fighting. That’s what I like to do. Nothing gets in the way; it’s what I enjoy, why I started this sport, and what I look forward to more than anything.”
In November 2023, Aspinall took a last-minute fight at UFC 295 to defeat Sergei Pavlovich and replaced the interim heavyweight title fight between Jones and Stipe Miocic, after Jones withdrew due to a torn pectoral muscle.
Originally, the plan was for Aspinall, the interim champion, to unify the title with Jones, but the UFC kept pushing ahead with the Jones vs. Miocic matchup, which lost appeal as Miocic struggled after a long hiatus. Jones eventually won after a delayed fight, but Aspinall was frustrated by the lack of opportunity to fight.
Jones avoided fighting Aspinall, opting instead for fights against Derrick Lewis and Jamahal Hill, and sought a favorable matchup with Alex Pereira. Then, suddenly, Jones retired and relinquished the title in June, crowning Aspinall the undisputed champion by default.
Aspinall said he found out about Jones’ retirement at the same time as everyone else and welcomed it with, “Then we can finally fight. Let’s move on.” Despite the chase, Aspinall maintained respect toward Jones, even playfully teasing him with a rubber duck on a UFC broadcast as a jab for dodging fights.
When meeting Jones in person, Aspinall kept it civil, simply requesting the chance to fight. He said his approach was to be genuine and true to himself throughout the process.
Aspinall is among just four fighters to defend a UFC interim title and holds the record as the longest reigning interim champ—a commendable feat but also a reminder of a complex journey he never wanted.
Looking ahead to his fight with Gane, Aspinall is free from past distractions and ready to build his own legacy. “I just want to fight. I want to be as active as possible. I’m aiming for three fights in the next year,” he said. “I don’t know what life will bring, but I want to get back to my job and keep fighting.”
Fan Take: This development is crucial for fight fans as it signals a new era in the heavyweight division free from Jon Jones’ shadow. Aspinall’s rise and willingness to stay active could bring fresh excitement and competitive depth to the UFC, raising the stakes for all contenders.
