Tom Aspinall thinks that it’s time to put Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic behind us. Following an exciting victory against Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 295 on Saturday, the new interim heavyweight champion made a compelling argument for uniting the championships.

In a title unification match, the undefeated and temporary champions usually square off against one another. Sadly, Aspinall finds himself in an odd situation since the UFC is determined to reschedule Jones vs. Miocic. UFC 295 was initially going to feature a heavyweight title battle between Jones and someone else, however Jones had to withdraw due to an injury. In order to save their planned marquee for a later date, the UFC totally removed Miocic and switched to an interim title bout between Pavlovich and Aspinall.

“I think that Stipe and Jones is an absolutely amazing matchup, but, in my opinion, that was an amazing matchup this past weekend,” Aspinall stated on “The MMA Hour” on Monday night. “I don’t know how anyone else feels about it, but I feel like the sparkle from that battle has kind of faded away. However, at this moment, I believe you need to pair me with Jones or me with Stipe.”

Aspinall is on the shortlist for today’s finest heavyweight after stopping Pavlovich in the first round. Aspinall argued that Jones vs. Miocic was a consolation prize and that he ought to face the two greatest UFC champions in history next.

“What use does the other material serve? “Let’s proceed,” Aspinall declared. “Rather than standing around waiting around, I’ll take on one of the legends right now and advance in my career. In a year, I don’t think anyone else wants to witness that, and I certainly don’t want to. Let’s put that behind us now and allow me to battle and defeat a legend.”

Aspinall might never fight Miocic or Jones, the truth is. Dana White, president of the UFC, has given credence to the notion that Jones and Miocic would both decide to retire following their scheduled heavyweight championship match. It appears more likely that Aspinall will defend the interim championship or advance to the undisputed champ position than that he will face Jones. Although Englishman and third UFC champion Ciryl Gane has declared his intention to challenge Aspinall, he believes a title eliminator should be held first.

“That’s interesting after I just called him out, went to France, and he turned the fight down,” Aspinall stated. “He ought to battle [Jailton] Almeida, in my opinion. I believe that the boys ought to square up first and see what transpires.”

More UFC news, rumors

  • Every UFC champion seems to be aiming for the title of champion, and Leon Edwards is no exception. The welterweight champion has declared that, should he defeat Colby Covington at UFC 296., he would like to move up in weight. To win the middleweight title, Edwards hopes to take on the victor of Sean Strickland vs. Dricus du Plessis. In a Sky Sports interview, Edwards stated, “I think that would be ideal.” One of my aspirations is to go out there and become the first person from the United Kingdom to win twice. That is undoubtedly in the cards.”
  • Dana White, the president of the UFC, is fulfilling two recent goals by securing a UFC show inside the Las Vegas arena and establishing Noche UFC as an annual event. The popular 18,000-person arena has been reserved by the UFC for September 14, the weekend before Mexican Independence Day, according to White. “It will be a tremendous challenge, and I am loving every second of it,” White stated on Saturday during the UFC 295 post-fight press conference. “I can’t wait to dive into this thing.” The immersive $2.3 billion arena features a 160,000-square-foot LED screen on its façade, as well as video walls that extend high over the stage. The main event of the first-ever Noche UFC was Alexa Grasso vs. Valentina Shevchenko 2.