Tom Aspinall Hints at Jon Jones – Dana White Pay Dispute Ruining Dream Fight 

UFC interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall expresses helplessness waiting for the Jon Jones title fight.

Tom Aspinall Hints at Jon Jones – Dana White Pay Dispute Ruining Dream Fight 

Tom Aspinall has nothing in his hands to get the title fight (via Imago/X)

There are very few fights in the UFC, currently bigger than Jon Jones versus Tom Aspinall heavyweight title unification bout. The UK native has been the interim champion for a long time, yet hasn’t received his opportunity for the undisputed title. With the ongoing delay, Aspinall has lost most of his hope and now finds himself only waiting in silence and frustration.

Tom Aspinall recently broke the record for longest reigning interim champion, holding the belt an impressive total of more than 545 days. He won the interim title by knocking out Sergei Pavlovich in the co-main event of UFC 295. In a recent interview, Aspinall revealed his mindset, feeling helpless and frustrated while endlessly waiting for a shot at undisputed gold.

Me personally, I can’t do anything. I think it’s just down to money on his his side. I will fight whenever, wherever he wants. I think that at this stage in his career, he’s had an amazing career. I think he’s like 37, 38 years old, so he’s got a lot of damage on the body. He took a lot of shots to the head.

Tom Aspinall via High Performance Podcast 

Aspinall has already defended his interim title once, earning a dominant victory against powerful contender Curtis Blaydes inside the octagon. Despite his dominant victories, Jones has repeatedly avoided Aspinall, and many believe he has reason to avoid the UK native. According to Aspinall, with his knockout power and speed, he has the ability to become the first fighter to beat Jones. 

I’m literally the most dangerous guy in the UFC if you look at the stats. When you put him with a guy of my size who has those credentials at this stage in his career, I think Jon’s a smart guy and he realizes that, so he wants compensating financially for it.

Tom Aspinall continued

At the end, Aspinall showed huge disappointment and mentioned that he’s tired of talking about it without any update again. The fighter seems to have taken Georges St-Pierre’s advice seriously and is ready to move on if nothing happens soon. It will be interesting to see how UFC resolves this situation in the upcoming months before things probably completely fall apart again.

Former rival and UFC legend refuses to collaborate with Jon Jones 

Jon Jones is doing everything lately except providing any updates regarding his highly anticipated title bout with Tom Aspinall next. Recently, he was spotted in Thailand alongside UFC veteran Nate Diaz, both coaching ALF Reality, a Russian version of TUF. Viral videos show the two filming episodes together and even discussing current UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev’s recent performances publicly.

Jon Jones' legacy as one of the best of all time
Jon Jones’ legacy as one of the best of all time (via X)

Jones was also seen allegedly getting drunk and riding scooters in the streets of Thailand. Following the news, Jones’ former rival and UFC double champion, Daniel Cormier, shared some interesting news. According to DC, instead of Diaz, he was offered to coach against Jones in Thailand.

I was offered to coach, against him prior, but I didn’t accept it. I can’t do a month in Thailand, opposite side Jon Jones. Especially when I can’t fight that dude no more…He beat me when I was fighting. I can’t really fight today. I’m 46 years old. Like, come on, man. I mean, I would do it for fun, but I’m not ready to spend a month in Thailand.

Daniel Cormier via his YouTube channel 

Jones and Cormier’s rivalry is one of UFC’s most intense, driven by personal animosity and championship stakes. They fought twice, with Jones winning both bouts, though one victory was later overturned due to a failed drug test. Despite the years passing, the animosity between them lingers, although not as strongly as before.