Exclusive: Tom Aspinall Wants to Move Past Jon Jones
The MMA world was shocked to find out that Jon Jones decided to retire from the UFC, after months of speculation that he would eventually fight interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall. Instead, Jones stepped away, leading to Aspinall being named undisputed heavyweight champion.
Read more: UFC Legend Jon Jones Has Officially Retired
Now, it appears that Jones has reentered the testing pool and wishes to compete again. Though there is no telling if the UFC will allow this, and him to take on Aspinall after months of stringing the division along — Aspinall only chooses to move past that and get the heavyweight division going again.
Aspinall sat down with Newsweek Sports to discuss his new partnership with Champion Sportswear and his desire to welcome any challenger in the heavyweight division.
What can you tell me about your partnership with Champion Sportswear?
"It's something that I'm very happy with, to be honest, coming away from my last sponsor, who I was with for a long time, I really wanted to work with a partnership that I was comfortable with, happy with, something that I'm invested in as well, something that's going to go to the end of my career, and something that I can like, make my own a little bit as well, personalize, and something that I'm interested in, because I like the I like the stuff anyway, it's, obviously, it's a brand that's been around for, like, plus 100 years. So I'm, I'm very happy with it.
Tom Aspinall of England looks on at Co-op Live on July 28, 2024 in Manchester, England.
Tom Aspinall of England looks on at Co-op Live on July 28, 2024 in Manchester, England.
BenMore news: Exclusive: Mike Perry on Dirty Boxing Success and Partnering With Jon Jones
Since becoming the undisputed heavyweight champion, how has the brand partnership changed for you?
"It just fits really well. I think it just, it just fits. I think that's the main thing. It just works really, really well for everybody. So everybody's happy, everyone's satisfied, and we move forward together, which is great."
There is a two-minute and 20-second brand on the capsule. What is the deeper meaning behind that?
"Yeah, of course. I mean, obviously, that's only going to stay for a little while until my next fight, because that is actually representing my fight time average, the shortest fight time average in UFC history. So it's two minutes and two seconds. So, on my signature shirts, you'll find 202 or something like that. Anyway, 0202 which signifies my record in the UFC hopefully we can get it lower than that. I'm not too sure. To be honest, I've done well so far with the short fights, but I know it's probably not going to be like this forever, so it might have to be changed a little bit after the next."
How did you find out about Jon Jones retiring?
Well, we kind of knew that it was going to happen anyway. We just didn't expect it to be last weekend ... We knew that he was going to retire, we knew that we were going to move on. We knew we were going to fight somebody else a couple of weeks ago. So we're expecting this to be announced at some point. But I found out by my phone blowing up at midnight, UK time, just as I was about to sleep, and next minute, my phone's like, going crazy that I made me the heavyweight champion, which is weird..."
How close were we to seeing you fight Jon Jones?
"They were telling me the same things that they told everybody else. So I don't know what happened on their side. That's like their business. I have no idea. But from my end, I just did everything that was asked of me. You know what? I mean, they just asked for me to wait, stay ready. Jones is in. They're going out soon, contracts coming your way, etc, etc. And for some reason, I don't know what the reason is, that didn't happen. So I did my part. I did my part, and that's all I can do."
Was a fight with Jon Jones ever actually agreed on?
"Yeah, but that's something that you will have to, you know, people need to ask the UFC because, as I said, that's really, essentially, that's not really my business. My business is that they offered me a fight. I said, yeah, they told me to be ready. I was ready. And that's it. That's all."
Is this a bittersweet feeling, knowing that you're never going to get to fight Jon Jones? Or have you moved past that because of knowing that he was going to retire, that you're just ready for your next challenger?
"I said this a lot over the last eight, 9-10 months. I never just wanted to fight Jon. Jon would have been a fantastic scalp to have on my record, but I was, I was trying to get the belt, and I was trying to fight people and be active. And am I upset that Jon retired? Well, I would have liked the fight, yeah, but I'm not like bothered about it. Do you know what I mean? I fight somebody else. No problem. I said that from the beginning."
You've already beaten everyone in the top 10 of the heavyweight division. Is there anyone you are willing to face in a rematch?
"I'm easy, honestly. I'm like the easiest employee ever. I just do what I'm told. That's it. Like, especially now, I'm the undisputed champion. Even before I was an undisputed champion, like they offered me a fight, I said yes, that's it. And it's never been any different. I'm like the easiest person to work with in the UFC. You can ask any of the matchmakers, any of the promoters, anything they ask me, and I say yes, and that's the way I'm going to work till the end of my career."
Alex Pereira was rumored to be moving up to the heavyweight division. If he does, would that be a matchup you would take?
Yeah, I guess. If I was him, I think you would want to get I want to get the light heavyweight belt back and go win that. I think he's got work to do. I think it's, think it's a tough fight for him in a rematch as well. I think Ankalaev is really good. I think people should start giving him his flowers a little bit, because the guy's really, really good. If I were Alex Pereira, I'd want to go and do that first before I start thinking about heavyweight. But yeah, like I said, if it's on the table. I'll take it. If another fights on the table, I'll take that, whatever."
Say there's a situation where Jones comes out of retirement, is that fight still something that you would consider after everything that you've gone through with him?
"If the UFC wants it, we'll do it. Yep, no problem. I'm open to fight anybody. Yeah, have no problem."
Is there any timeline for your next fight?
"Yeah, we're in talks at the moment ... I mean, it's gotta happen this year. I want to do two this year at least."
To watch the entire interview, watch the video above. Fans can check out Aspinall's heavyweight Champion capsule here.
For more MMA and UFC news, head to Newsweek Sports.
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