Interim UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall had a front-row seat to observe his subsequent potential opponent Jon Jones’ triumphant return.
Tom Aspinall‘s eyes widened as Jon Jones completed Stipe Miocic with a spinning again kick to the physique within the UFC 309 important occasion.
Jones’ first UFC heavyweight title protection couldn’t’ve gone significantly better towards Miocic at UFC 309. After dominating Miocic with tempo and stress over the primary two rounds, Jones secured the win by brutalizing Miocic’s mid-section with a spinning backkick that despatched Madison Sq. Backyard right into a frenzy.
Aspinall, who weighed in because the UFC 309 backup, received an outstanding view of his subsequent potential opponent at UFC 309. UFC CEO Dana White mentioned after the occasion that Jones vs. Aspinall is ‘the struggle to make’, as he doubtlessly iterated to Aspinall in a backstage conversation.
Simply seconds earlier than Jones dealt the ultimate blows to Miocic, Aspinall referred to as for the lineal titleholder to throw extra kicks at his opponent. Whereas he probably didn’t hear Aspinall contained in the Octagon, Jones obliged Aspinall’s request, using body kicks to knock out Miocic.
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Tom Aspinall implored Jon Jones to throw extra kicks simply seconds earlier than UFC 309 knockout
In his post-fight Octagon interview with Joe Rogan, Jones postponed retirement and expressed a want for a profitable paycheck to struggle once more. White and the UFC matchmakers will meet with Jones within the coming weeks to debate the UFC heavyweight champion’s subsequent transfer as they try and safe the Aspinall struggle.
Aspinall gained’t defend the interim heavyweight title once more after knocking out Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304. He earned the interim heavyweight championship on quick discover by ending Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 295 final 12 months.
Aspinall’s interim title win got here to fruition after Jones withdrew from UFC 295 as a result of harm. He was initially presupposed to headline the cardboard towards Miocic earlier than struggling a torn pectoral tendon.
Jones gained the then-vacant UFC heavyweight belt by submitting Ciryl Gane at UFC 285. The end got here after Jones took three years away from the Octagon.
Tom Aspinall vs. Jon Jones tops 2025’s UFC struggle want record
White has referred to as Jones vs. Aspinall the largest struggle in UFC heavyweight historical past. In equity, he mentioned comparable issues about Jones vs. Francis Ngannou throughout Ngannou’s promotional stint, however the dream struggle by no means got here to cross.
Jones is arguably the greatest UFC fighter of all time after a legendary run contained in the Octagon. Earlier than making the full-time transfer to heavyweight in 2020, Jones made himself right into a family identify in a number of dominant gentle heavyweight title reigns.
Aspinall is in the course of his bodily prime and a few consider is the hardest potential take a look at for Jones within the Octagon. His lone UFC blemish got here by harm stoppage towards Blaydes of their first struggle in 2022.
Aspinall’s stay response exhibits he isn’t rattled by Jones’ energy and aura. As 2025 approaches, struggle followers may get their want for one of many greatest fights in fight sports activities historical past.
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