The UFC heavyweight division is witnessing a resurgence of intensity and rivalry, dramatically highlighted by Tom Aspinall's recent performances and pointed commentary. Aspinall, fresh off a decisive knockout victory over Sergei Pavlovich to claim the interim title, has not minced words about his thoughts on heavyweight great Jon Jones and former champion Stipe Miocic.
Aspinall on Jones and Miocic
Jon Jones, at 37 years old, remains a divisive figure in the UFC. Despite an illustrious career, Aspinall is not convinced that Jones or Miocic are the current best in the heavyweight division. "They don’t f---ing deserve to be fighting for the heavyweight title. Them guys are not the top of the heavyweight division right now. Dana White and everybody else can say whatever they want, them guys aren’t the best heavyweights in the world right now," Aspinall asserted.
His confidence is backed by recent performances. Aspinall's bout against Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304 showcased his commanding presence in the octagon, further solidifying his claim to being at the pinnacle of the division. With Jones originally set to face Miocic at UFC 295 on November 11, 2023, before the bout was postponed due to Jones' injury-induced withdrawal, the landscape of upcoming fights remained in flux. Miocic was subsequently pulled from the card, leaving fans eagerly awaiting a new date, rumored to be November 16 at UFC 309.
Jones' Response
Despite the criticisms, Jones remains focused on ending his career on a high note, stating, "I'm 37 years old now, I've kicked everyone's ass. My job is to finish strong and make an amazing movie. Go join Tom Brady, Floyd Mayweather and all the other retired bad asses." He recognizes Aspinall's rising star but sees his own legacy in broader terms, remarking, "Maybe Tom will go on and beat Stipe's record one day, right now I'm focusing on goat things. The beautiful thing about being in my position is I'm not defined by one fight. Most of you grew up watching me win."
The Critiques
Aspinall, however, is unwavering in his stance, bringing attention to Jones' inactivity. "Let's be honest, and since I won that fight, he's gone completely quiet. He'll continue to go completely quiet about me until he retires. Because there's no way on Earth that he's going to fight me. Not a chance. I will retire Jon Jones without even fighting him," he claimed. His sharp commentary continued, "I challenge anybody watching this interview to go and find the statement, quote, a video where Jon Jones is saying that he’ll fight me after he’s fought Stipe. It doesn’t exist."
The British heavyweight has also taken jabs at Jones' current physical condition, stating, "The guy's smart, and we know the guy's a bit overweight these days. The guy sat there with the Cheeto fingers or whatever, Doritos on his fingers with his iPhone in hand waiting for me to get knocked out [by Blaydes] so he could start tweeting about it."
The Future of the Heavyweight Division
With the heavyweight division in transition, the UFC and its fans find themselves amidst a brew of anticipation and speculation. Aspinall's outspoken criticism, particularly directed at the inactivity and current relevance of Jones and Miocic, underscores his determination to be recognized as the best. "I'm the guy at heavyweight, not him -- me. I want to be recognized as the best. I've got the real belt. I'm the one defending. He's defending against a 42-year-old Stipe Miocic with a million miles on the clock. If you want to be the real guy, you have to fight me," he declared.
As the UFC looks to reschedule the Jones vs. Miocic fight, the fanbase remains eager. The potential clash could serve as a defining moment for the fighters involved and the division at large. Beyond the titles and the bouts, narrative threads of legacy, criticism, and ambition weave a complex tapestry that will likely shape the heavyweight landscape for years to come.
Jon Jones' aim to align himself with sports legends like Tom Brady and Floyd Mayweather upon retirement reflects his broader vision of life beyond the octagon. Whether Aspinall's ascendancy will disrupt these plans remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the heavyweight division is anything but settled.