Tom Aspinall’s Father Slams UFC’s Handling of Heavyweight Title Announcement: “Can’t Think of a Worse Way”

Newly crowned heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall didn't like how UFC treated his champion following Jon Jones' retirement.

Tom Aspinall’s Father Slams UFC’s Handling of Heavyweight Title Announcement: “Can’t Think of a Worse Way”

Tom Aspinall's father slams UFC top brass (via X)

After months of drama and inactivity, the UFC heavyweight division finally progressed with significant changes, shaking the entire weight class. It all began when former champion Jon Jones announced his retirement, ending over a decade of dominant performances and legendary fights. Soon after, interim champion Tom Aspinall was crowned the new undisputed champion in an unexpectedly anticlimactic and underwhelming manner.

Aspinall patiently waited over a year for his long-desired title shot against Jones, but was consistently avoided throughout. Despite the setbacks, his dedication eventually paid off as Jones retired, effectively crowning Aspinall without ever facing him inside the cage. In a recent UncrownedCombat interview, Aspinall’s father expressed disappointment over the UFC’s minimal effort in celebrating his son’s accomplishment.

I sent a message back to Hunter saying, ‘I can’t think of a worse way you could have done it’… For me, the heavyweight championship of an organization is quite a big thing and I don’t think Tom deserved to find out at a press conference in the middle of the night…We just happened to be awake at the time. It’s poor man management of Jones and Tom. I like the personnel at the UFC, but for me, they just don’t do things right sometimes.

Aspinall held the interim heavyweight championship for the longest period in UFC history, losing valuable prime days without competing actively. His father initially voiced concerns about missing essential fight purses that are crucial during a fighter’s limited prime career window. Following Jones’ retirement, UFC CEO Dana White publicly acknowledged Aspinall as one of the promotion’s most valuable and respected champions.

Aspinall is currently enjoying his new champion status and has quickly secured several major sponsorship deals, boosting his growing profile. He has also made a firm promise to remain an active champion, unlike Jones, who struggled with consistent title defenses. As expected, speculations surrounding Aspinall’s highly anticipated first title defense have already started building within the MMA community.

Tom Aspinall gets cryptic message from top heavyweight contender

Tom Aspinall has already faced and dominated many of the UFC’s top heavyweights, showcasing incredible speed, power, and well-rounded skills. He impressively knocked out top contenders like Marcin Tybura, Sergei Pavlovich, and Alexander Volkov, devastatingly finishing them all. However, despite his rapid rise, big names like former interim champion Ciryl Gane remain available.

Tom Aspinall gets a new call-out
Tom Aspinall gets a new call-out (via X)

Gane represents a fresh, high-profile matchup that could further solidify Aspinall’s reign and legacy within the UFC heavyweight division. For months, the Frenchman was busy shooting for his Netflix debut movie, K.O., which has received great reviews. Now the former title contender is back on track and has sent a stern warning to the heavyweight division.

Everything is now set in Motion.

In 2023, Gane faced Jon Jones for the vacant UFC heavyweight title but disappointingly lost quickly via first-round submission. Despite the setback, Gane’s elite talent and hype remained, allowing him to bounce back strongly with impressive performances inside the octagon. He is now riding a two-fight win streak, defeating Serghei Spivac and Alexander Volkov in back-to-back victories.

Among all the heavyweight contenders, fans believe Gane has the biggest chance to beat Tom Aspinall due to his striking and speed. Other than that, others such as Jailton Almeida and Alexander Volkov have also called out for an opportunity.

Recent reports suggested Tom Aspinall was preparing for his first title defense at UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi. However, the UFC has now officially confirmed the event, setting the stage for Aspinall’s highly anticipated return to the octagon soon.

Also Read: (Video) Disturbing Footage of Jon Jones Threatening Police over Fleeing Scene of Accident Released