Interim UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall stated that he accepted an offer from UFC to fight Stipe Miocic at UFC 300 on April 13. However, Aspinall claims Miocic is only interested in fighting current heavyweight champion Jon "Bones" Jones when he returns from a torn pectoral tendon.
Tom Aspinall @AspinallMMAWhile we are talking about <a href="">@stipemiocic</a> , my manager was contacted by the UFC asking if I'd like to fight him on apr 13th. I, of course, accepted
Tom Aspinall @AspinallMMAA little later, we were told that <a href="">@stipemiocic</a> doesn't want to fight me, and only interested in fighting <a href="">@JonnyBones</a>
Tom Aspinall @AspinallMMAOn that note. I will stop crying, accept it ain't gonna happen and enjoy the fight that me and all the other fans want to see. Legend vs legend for the heavyweight title. Maximum respect guys. Yay
Jones was scheduled to defend the title agains Miocic at UFC 295 on Nov. 11, but the injury, which occurred during training, prevented that bout from occurring.
UFC President Dana White told fans on Oct. 25 that Jones was expected out eight months.
danawhite @danawhiteBREAKING NEWS…………… Sergei Pavlovich vs Tom Aspinall for the Interim Heavyweight Championship. Main Event is Jiri Prochazka vs Alex Pereira. <a href="">#UFC295</a> is LIVE at MSG on ESPN+ PPV <a href="">
An interim heavyweight title between Aspinall and Sergei Pavlovich was scheduled in the Miocic-Jones bout's place. Aspinall won via first-round knockout after just 1:09.
It's a disappointing result for Aspinall, who could have started working his way toward being the world's top heavyweight. In theory, a win over Miocic at UFC 300 would have certainly set up a title unification bout against Jones.
Alas, that isn't happening, and now the world waits for Jones to rehab and get back into the Octagon for a presumed matchup with Miocic someday.
Tom Aspinall @AspinallMMAFYI these "new" quotes of me talking about <a href="">@JonnyBones</a> are weeks old. Since me an Jon had our little twitter beef I see Jon's point of view
Tom Aspinall @AspinallMMABelieve it or not I respect <a href="">@JonnyBones</a> and everything he has done. So impressive. I wish him all the best in his recovery and return against <a href="">@stipemiocic</a>
The comments in question notably featured Aspinall saying Jones was deflecting a chance to fight him and that his actions were akin to that of a politician.
MMA Fighting @MMAFightingTom Aspinall compares Jon Jones to a politician because he's "deflecting the truth" 👀<br><br>📰 <a href=""> <a href="">
It appears that spat is squashed for now, though.
