A potential showdown between UFC heavyweight king Jon Jones and interim champion Tom Aspinall is facing an uncertain future.
Since capturing the interim heavyweight title at UFC 295 in November 2023, Aspinall has consistently called out Jones, looking to unify the division's belts. Jones, however, initially preferred a matchup against former light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira, believing it would bring greater fan interest and paydays. Those plans took a hit on March 8 at UFC 313 when Pereira lost the light heavyweight belt to Magomed Ankalaev, making a Jones-Pereira bout significantly less appealing.
Now, Jones reportedly insists he'll need up to 10 months of preparation before agreeing to fight Aspinall. This cautious timeline creates a major obstacle for Aspinall, who has stayed vocal about wanting to compete as soon as possible for the undisputed UFC heavyweight championship.
Aspinall's father, Andy Aspinall, voiced frustration with the growing uncertainty. Speaking to JNMEDIAUK's Jamal Niaz, Andy Aspinall stated firmly, "You're contracted to do three fights a year. Personally, I believe Tom has earned the right to fight for the belt. If Jones doesn't want to defend it, step aside and vacate."
He made clear that his son simply wants the opportunity he feels he's earned. "Tom is a competitor. He just wants the next challenge," Andy Aspinall continued. "This is how he earns his living, how he supports his family. Right now, everything is on pause, and we're just stuck waiting for answers."
As Jones remains inactive, questions about the heavyweight division's future intensify. Fans eagerly await news about whether this highly-anticipated matchup will materialize or if Aspinall will be forced to wait even longer to claim an undisputed title shot.
