Tom Aspinall reveals latest on Jon Jones showdown as UFC title fight stalls
Tom Aspinall has revealed an announcement regarding his next fight will be made "soon" but insists heavyweight rival Jon Jones is "retired."
The interim heavyweight champion has not fought since a devastating knockout victory over Curtis Blaydes last July at UFC 304 in Manchester. Aspinall claimed the interim prize after a first round knockout win over Sergei Pavlovich back in November 2023 - a fight card that was expected to be headlined by Jones, before the American withdrew due to injury.
Since picking up the undisputed title against Ciryl Gane two years ago, Jones has only defended the title once - a knockout victory over Stipe Miocic back in November. It seemed as if 'Bones' would call it a day after the clash in New York, but the 37-year-old teased at least one more fight in the cage.
However, he has since failed to commit to a fight with his British rival. While Aspinall has grown frustrated with the lack of noise regarding news of his next fight, he claims a decision will be made soon. Speaking to All Out Fighting at the launch of Aspinall's long-term partnership with sportswear brand Champion, when asked if fans can expect fight news soon, the 32-year-old replied: "Yeah, we are. It is not my job to announce it but it should be announced soon as far as I am aware."
With fans continuing to call for an Aspinall vs Jones showdown, the former admits he has moved on and believes the American has called it a day. "He is retired! I don't know (why he does not want to fight), I think he is just done. I think he is done… everybody has a sell by date in this sport and I think he has reached his," he said.
Within the promotion, Aspinall holds the record for the shortest fight time of a fighter with five or more bouts. All of his victories have come within two rounds. An athlete who loves to compete regularly, it has been a tough year for the Brit, but insists he is just getting on with life as he awaits news of his next fight. "It's been difficult in terms of sport but in the grand scheme of life, it has not been that bad, it has been pretty awesome to be honest but I would life to fight more often than I have been fighting and that's nothing to do with me," he said.
"I can only fight when I'm given a fight and, so far up until recently, I have not been offered any fights so there is not a lot I really could have done, but that is all kind of in the past now and we can all move forward, so I am happy with that." Regarding his next opponent, the British brawler admits he won't be "picky" and will even consider rematches with former foes.
With Jones seemingly on his way out and Miocic retired, many are questioning whether the buzz around the UFC's heaviest division is still there, but Aspinall believes the division is exciting as ever. "Every fight is different, so even if I have beaten somebody before, it is still exciting for me to fight in. It's heavyweight MMA, so, even though it might seem a bit stagnant, as soon as the guys get active again, it will be good!"
In an ideal world, the British star is targeting two fights this year. However, one thing is certain, the 32-year-old just wants to stay active and is even open to TEN bouts this year. With the UFC having announced pay-per-view events for June, July and August and September, Aspinall seems unlikely to fight before October, but that still has not stopped him from wanting to remain active. "Being as active as possible really," he said when asked about his goals this year. "Two fights would be ideal. We might even push for three or four, to be honest. Might even get 10 in before the end of the year! I just want to be as active as possible."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Glasgow Times
15 minutes ago
- Glasgow Times
Dan Evans swept aside as Novak Djokovic reaches 99 not out at Wimbledon
Djokovic, the seven-time champion, is now just one short of a century of match wins in SW19 after a 6-3 6-2 6-0 win of ominous efficiency. Evans was tasked with being this year's plucky Brit to face the Serbian on Centre Court, reprising a role previously played by Jacob Fearnley, Jack Draper, Kyle Edmund and James Ward. Novak Djokovic cruises into his 19th #Wimbledon third round 🫡 — Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 3, 2025 It was by no means a flaky performance from the 35-year-old, but he still went the same way as all the others. 'I knew it was going to be a special atmosphere on the court today, a Brit in Britain is never easy to face,' said Djokovic. 'He's a good quality player that possesses a lot of talent. Sometimes you have these kind of days where everything goes your way.' Evans had won their only previous career meeting, in Monte Carlo four years ago. This time he was playing with house money, having arrived at Wimbledon as a wild card with a ranking now down at 154. But Djokovic quickly upped the ante, with Evans having to save nine break points in the first set before succumbing to the 10th to trail 5-3. It was a tough afternoon for Dan Evans (John Walton/PA) It was relentless from the 38-year-old, who held to love with an ace to clinch a first set in which he dropped just three points on his own serve. If that set was impressive, the second was almost impeccable. Djokovic hit 12 winners, made just one unforced error, won every point on his first serve and gave Evans only two on his second. Djokovic, who openly admits this year's Championships is his best chance of winning a record 25th grand slam title, would not take his foot off Evans' throat, completing victory in just an hour and 47 minutes.
Scottish Sun
35 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Wimbledon ball kid removed from court as umpire is forced to ask for help
The umpire took action to not delay the match HEALTH WORRY Wimbledon ball kid removed from court as umpire is forced to ask for help A WIMBLEDON ball kid had to be removed from the court in worrying scenes. The incident occurred during Alex de Minaur's first-round win over Roberto Carballes Baena on Tuesday. Advertisement 3 A Wimbledon ball kid fell ill and had to be removed from the court Credit: BBC 3 The incident occurred during Alex de Minaur's opening match Credit: EPA De Minaur, who is engaged to British star Katie Boulter, was cruising to victory at 6-2 6-2 5-6 when the match had to be halted. Umpire Louis Boucharinc was alerted to a ball kid feeling unwell. He immediately made a phone call to chiefs and asked for a substitute to step in. Boucharinc then announced to fans on Court 18: "Ladies and gentlemen, we're just waiting for one ball boy to replace someone who was not feeling well. Advertisement READ MORE IN TENNIS TENNIS MOURNS Wimbledon star given special permission to wear black armband in Jota tribute "We will return to play as soon as the ball boy comes back." However, Wimbledon were seemingly not able to find a replacement at quick notice and the umpire reshuffled the ball kids to not extend the delay. Boucharinc ordered: "I think this is what we're going to do actually. We need someone from the back on the receiver's side who will come to the net. Can we do that? OK, perfect." It is unclear why the ball kid fell ill but temperatures soared to 34C on Tuesday. Advertisement Amid the heatwave, Carlos Alcaraz rushed to the rescue with a cold water bottle after a fan fell during his match on Centre Court. And Lorenzo Musetti ushered medics to a spectator on Court 2. De Minaur saw off Arthur Cazaux today in four sets to progress to the third round, where he will face either Tomas Machac or August Holmgren. 3 Advertisement Wimbledon 2025 LIVE - follow all the latest scores and updates from a thrilling fortnight at SW19
Scottish Sun
35 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Wimbledon star Sonay Kartal playing for life-changing payday after struggling to afford a tennis coach
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SONAY KARTAL has spoken of her tennis financial struggles while growing up – ahead of a potential £240,000 payday. Emma Raducanu's childhood rival is on the cusp of reaching the Wimbledon fourth round for the first time in her career. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Sonay Kartal has dazzled the British crowd in SW19 Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Unlike some in the sport, the 23-year-old did not have a silver spoon in her mouth – she had a modest upbringing in Brighton and her family ran a local Turkish restaurant. Yet when it came to the sport she chose, having dabbled with football and cricket, she did not have any support until hooking up with the LTA aged 19 and earning Pro Scholarship Programme (PSP) funding. Kartal – who plays French qualifier Diane Parry on Friday – has £152,000 in her back pocket but if she wins two sets, she will add an extra £68,000 to her back balance. The British No.3 said: 'Obviously tennis is super expensive. READ MORE WIMBLEDON Wimbledon 2025 Djokovic BEATS Evans, Draper takes on Cilic, Sinner and Shelton feature 'When I was growing up, I kind of did quite a lot of tournaments on my own because I couldn't afford to pay a coach week-in, week-out. 'It helped me develop as a teenager, grow up super fast, made me much more mature. I held myself accountable to a lot of things. 'The LTA helped me massively. It came at exactly the right time. It was when I started to come on the scene and was putting together a few good wins consistently. 'They really helped to give me all the equipment and access to everything I needed to develop as well. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK 3 Kartal, 23, did not have it as easy as many tennis players growing up Credit: Getty 'I've shot up the rankings. My game style really rocketed. 'My coaches back in the day, they would charge me I guess the lowest fee and would try to help me out as much as possible. Watch British Wimbledon stars Emma Raducanu and Sonay Kartal have incredible rally at 9-YEARS-OLD in throwback video 'I was out quite a lot of years injured as a teenager. 'I didn't pick up a racquet for a couple years. I was kind of a bit inconsistent as I was going through my teenage years.' 3 Wimbledon 2025 LIVE - follow all the latest scores and updates from a thrilling fortnight at SW19
