Tom Aspinall is able to step in at UFC 309.
This previous weekend, the UFC lastly made official the worst-kept secret in MMA: Jon Jones is ready to defend his heavyweight title in opposition to former champion Stipe Miocic in the primary occasion of UFC 309, which takes place on Nov. 16 at Madison Sq. Backyard in New York Metropolis. Aspinall is worked up the promotion lastly made issues official, and plans to be in attendance both as a backup or as an observer.
“What else occurred there was massive Jon Jones, massive Stipe Miocic matched up with each other,” Aspinall stated on his YouTube channel. “Lastly, it’s official. Nov. 16, MSG, New York Metropolis. The heavyweight title is on the road in the end. Lastly. We’re confirmed for it.
“I, in fact, will probably be there to observe these two gents go at it. I, in fact, have instructed the UFC if anyone will get injured or for another cause why no person could make it to that battle, why one among them would possibly pull out, I’m able to go. If I must, I’ll battle each of them in the identical night time, no downside.”
Jones and Miocic had been initially scheduled to face one another at UFC 295. Nevertheless, Jones withdrew from the bout as a consequence of harm, and as a substitute of rebooking Miocic, the promotion merely postponed the battle. As an alternative, Aspinall stepped in on quick discover in opposition to deliberate backup fighter Sergei Pavlovich for an interim title battle, and gained the belt with a 69-second knockout. In lieu of reserving a title unification bout although, the UFC has cast forward with the Jones vs. Miocic matchup, and so in July, Aspinall defended his interim title in opposition to Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304, scoring a 60-second knockout.
It’s not usually that an interim champion even defends his title and far rarer nonetheless that an interim champion is handed over for a battle with the undisputed champion. Because of this, Aspinall has turn into more and more pissed off the previous few months with Jones and the UFC insisting on the Miocic battle.
However at the very least with that battle lastly official now, Aspinall sees gentle on the finish of the tunnel for his title journey.
“Give me my undisputed title, as a result of in my view it shouldn’t be two champions in a single weight division,” Aspinall stated. “I feel that’s foolish. This isn’t what the UFC is about, this isn’t what MMA is about. There’s one man in every weight division, and I imagine it’s me. So I’ll be combating the winner.
“As I stated, I’ll be there in the event that they want me. I’ll be match and prepared. I’m coaching proper now. I’m able to go, I’ll be to go on the sixteenth of November if I must. MSG, the place the place I gained the title. I’ll return there and I’ll unify the title there as effectively if I must.”
Sadly for Aspinall, he could not get his want to battle the winner of the UFC 309 predominant occasion as over the weekend, Jones declared that his battle with Miocic is “greater than possible” the ultimate battle of his profession.
