In the Aftermath of Victory: Aspinall's Rise and the Jones-Miocic Dilemma
A recent surge in Tom Aspinall's career has thrown the UFC world into a whirlwind of speculation and anticipation. Fresh off a decisive knockout victory over Sergei Pavlovich to claim the interim title, Aspinall has shifted his sights to the very top of the heavyweight division. His commanding performance at UFC 304 against Curtis Blaydes only further solidified his claim.
However, the heavyweight landscape has been muddled with delays and rescheduling, primarily due to the highly anticipated bout between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic. Originally set for UFC 295 on November 11, 2023, this clash of titans was postponed following Jones' injury-induced withdrawal, which also led to Miocic being pulled from the card. Rumors are now swirling that this matchup might be rescheduled for UFC 309 on November 16, further complicating the heavyweight title picture.
In the midst of this uncertainty, Aspinall has not been shy about voicing his opinions. "Let's be honest, and since I won that fight, he's gone completely quiet," Aspinall said, referring to Jon Jones. "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."
Jones, at 37 years old, has had a storied career, and as he approaches the twilight of his competitive days, he faces increasing scrutiny about his current position in the heavyweight division. Aspinall has been particularly critical of Jones' lifestyle, suggesting that the former champion is not in peak condition. "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," Aspinall quipped.
Despite these jabs, Jones remains focused on ending his career on a high note, aiming to finish strong and make his exit akin to the legends of other sports. "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 badasses," Jones expressed, indicating his broader ambitions post-retirement.
Aspinall, however, is far from convinced of Jones' current relevance 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, pointing to what he believes is a disconnect between the UFC's promotional narratives and the actual state of the division.
One of Aspinall's key points of contention is the age and wear of Miocic, Jones' scheduled opponent. "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," Aspinall declared, positioning himself as the legitimate face of the heavyweight category.
Given the current landscape, UFC fans are eagerly awaiting the rescheduled Jones-Miocic bout, but the delays and political maneuvers within the sport have cast a shadow over what should be a climactic event. Aspinall's rise and his brash confidence have injected new energy into the division, creating a compelling narrative that pits the old guard against the new wave.
As the heavyweight division continues to evolve, the anticipation and speculation are set to reach a fever pitch. Whether Jones and Miocic can rekindle the magic of their past performances or if Aspinall’s ascent will take center stage remains a question that only time will answer. What is clear, though, is that the heavyweight division has not been this exciting -- or contentious -- in a long time.