Tom Aspinall Reveals How Four Training Camps Went Wasted Over Jon Jones Saga

Heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall reveals that his pursuit of Jon Jones took a massive toll on wasted training camps.

Tom Aspinall Reveals How Four Training Camps Went Wasted Over Jon Jones Saga

Jon Jones pursuit cost Tom Aspinall (via BBC, UFC)

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In the world of mixed martial arts, not every anticipated matchup comes to fruition. Plans can shift, dates can move, and sometimes even the most promising fights never materialize. Such was the case for UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall, who spent a significant amount of time preparing for a potential clash against Jon Jones that ultimately never materialized.

Aspinall has cemented himself as one of the most dangerous heavyweights in the UFC. He has finished every opponent put in front of him with sheer dominance. He has a record of eight wins and one loss in the UFC and was deemed the perfect challenger for Jones during his championship reign at heavyweight. However, Aspinall called out Jones multiple times, and the former champion agreed to fight a few times.

Despite the news of the fight looming for almost a year, Jones ultimately vacated the belt and announced his retirement. This led to Aspinall, who was the interim champion at that time, being automatically promoted to the UFC heavyweight champion. The British champion recently spoke about the training camps that were wasted in constant pursuit of the belt that ‘Bones’ held in an interview with TNT Sports.

There were a lot of times when the UFC would tell me, ‘Right, the Jon Jones fight is happening in three months,’ for example. So we’d start the training camp, the intensity would go up, and then the date would get moved. That happened like three or four times, and then eventually he retired. So it wasn’t like I was literally sat waiting for the full year, I did think the fight was going to come.

Tom Aspinall via TNT Sports

The repeated postponements took a toll on the buildup of the matchup. For fighters, constant rescheduling can also impact weight management, sparring cycles, and even mental focus, adding an extra layer of challenge beyond the physical demands of the sport. However, Jones’ refusal to fight Aspinall also put him in the bad books of UFC CEO Dana White, as unreliable for future events.

The Jones-Aspinall saga stretched for well over a year. Their rivalry began when Aspinall expressed his desire to face Jones after avenging his injury loss to Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304. There were also a few reports regarding Jones asking for a whopping figure of $30 million to fight the Brit. However, ‘Bones’ also expressed his wish to face Aspinall at the upcoming White House event, but it has not materialized yet.

Ultimately, the long-awaited fight never materialized. Jon Jones announced his retirement, leaving Aspinall without the opportunity to face one of the most decorated names in UFC history. While retirement is a natural part of any athlete’s journey, it marked a missed chapter in what could have been a career-defining contest for Aspinall.

Jon Jones vs Tom Aspinall initially gained interest from Dana White for White House card

Ever since its announcement, the UFC White House event has been the talk of the town in the MMA community. Fighters from every division have been rallying to get a spot on the legendary card. However, there has been much speculation regarding who will headline the event. The event is of such a magnitude that the fight headlining it has to be one that will promise the fans a spectacular night.

Jon Jones made his intentions clear and has protested his chance to fight at the event. While he is sure to attract proper audiences, the Tom Aspinall saga and his controversies have undoubtedly cast a shadow of doubt. Both fans and fighters alike have dismissed Jones and accused him of “ducking” the British star.

Dana White terms Jon Jones vs Tom Aspinall for UFC White House
Dana White terms Jon Jones vs Tom Aspinall for UFC White House (via The Mac Life, MMA Fighting)

While there have been talks revolving around a potential return for UFC superstar Conor McGregor, UFC CEO Dana White recently made his pick for the dream main event. White was recently seen attending the FULLSEND podcast, hosted by the Nelk Boys. When asked about the event, White decoded that we may see two of the biggest MMA stars on the same card.

The possibility of Jon Jones, Tom Aspinall, and even Conor McGregor appearing on a historic White House card illustrates just how ambitious the UFC’s vision has become. However, in recent weeks, Dana White has changed his tune from what he initially envisioned for the White House card. As of now, the UFC boss no longer considers Jon Jones as a trustworthy option for the highly anticipated event.

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