UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall reportedly received information from contacts within Jon Jones’s inner circle concerning the legend’s recent trip to Thailand.
Tom Aspinall‘s pursuit of an undisputed UFC heavyweight title opportunity concluded unexpectedly when Jon Jones announced his retirement just last weekend. The news was confirmed by UFC CEO Dana White during a press conference following UFC Baku, swiftly followed by Jones’s own announcement on social media.
Jones’s decision to retire prompted the UFC to elevate Aspinall to undisputed heavyweight champion status. He is anticipated to step back into the Octagon before the year ends. The long-discussed potential clash between Jones and Aspinall had been the subject of much speculation for months.
However, according to Aspinall, he didn’t genuinely doubt the fight would happen until he learned about Jones’s alleged actions during his time overseas.
Tom Aspinall: Rumored ‘behavior’ in Thailand indicated Jon Jones fight was unlikely
Earlier in the year, Jones was in Thailand, slated to coach opposite Nate Diaz in a version of The Ultimate Fighter featuring regional prospects. However, the production was abruptly halted and canceled after an on-set physical altercation led to Diaz and his team departing.
Following the show’s cancelation, Jones remained in Thailand for some leisure time, accompanied by members of his close group. Aspinall revealed that he knew individuals who spent time with Jones there and provided him with insight into behavior that seemed questionable amidst ongoing UFC negotiations.
Appearing on The Ariel Helwani Show, Aspinall was asked when he began to doubt the fight with Jones would materialize.
“A few weeks ago. Everybody seemed to think that Jon was playing this game of ‘Let’s make Tom not think I’m giving him the fight, and then I’ll just spring it on him’. But the MMA community, at the highest level, is a pretty small world,” Aspinall explained.
“And I know people who have been out in Thailand, similar times that he was there. And I know people who were around his circle, and I know that from the behavior he’s doing outside the Octagon, that he’s not going to fight anytime soon.”
When pressed about his reaction to hearing about Jones’s rumored activities outside the cage, Aspinall reflected on his own preparation.
“I honestly think I’ve got to be one of the easiest people for the UFC to ever work with. And that’s not me blowing my own trumpet, everything they’ve told me, I’ve done. They just told me for a year, ‘Be ready, stay fit, stay in shape and be ready for a date and a contract’. And that’s what I’ve done for the last year, I haven’t done anything else,” Aspinall stated firmly.
“No vacations, no days off. I’m looking after my diet, recovery, doing the sparring, strength and conditioning and learning new techniques. Everything that a professional fighter at the elite level should be doing to get ready for a fight. That’s all I’ve done for the last 10 months, or whatever it’s been. It’s a bit of a strange situation, but I’m just so glad it’s done and I can move on.”
With Jones’s retirement now official and Aspinall recognized as champion, the UFC’s heavyweight division is poised to move forward with promises of increased activity. Aspinall’s first defense of the undisputed title could potentially be against someone Jon Jones has previously faced.
Tom Aspinall’s potential first undisputed defense reportedly in negotiation after contender’s comments
Former interim UFC heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane recently caused a stir by claiming that negotiations for a bout against Aspinall were underway. Gane has not competed since his controversial win against Alexander Volkov at UFC 310 in December.
Aspinall and Gane have been potential opponents multiple times throughout their UFC careers. However, Aspinall has previously alleged that Gane declined several fight offers, including one prior to Aspinall winning the interim heavyweight title at UFC 295.
Alexander Volkov also remains a relevant name as the UFC considers options for Aspinall’s first title defense. Despite Jon Jones occasionally teasing a comeback, it seems improbable that the UFC Hall of Famer will return to fighting in the near future, if at all.
Jack Thornley