The recently crowned interim UFC heavyweight champion, Tom Aspinall, has been vocal about his desire to face Jon Jones for the undisputed heavyweight title in his next bout. However, not everyone shares his enthusiasm for this matchup.
Jones, in particular, has expressed reservations, questioning Aspinall’s record and expressing a preference for facing former heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic upon his return from injury.
It’s not just Jones who seems opposed to the idea; the often contentious realm of social media has also become a source of criticism for Aspinall. He revealed that he has faced a barrage of negative comments and abuse for pursuing his dream of securing the undisputed heavyweight championship.
Dealing with the online backlash, Aspinall acknowledges the impact of such negativity on him but attempts to maintain a perspective. He recognizes that much of the criticism stems from jealousy, with people often disliking seeing others succeed.
Despite the challenges, Aspinall tries to brush off the negativity, emphasizing the surreal nature of the internet and the unfortunate reality that hate often accompanies success.
However, Aspinall admits that the online vitriol occasionally affects him as a human being. He recounts instances of receiving death threats for expressing his desire to fight Jon Jones, the current perceived best in the world.
Reflecting on the extreme reactions, he expresses bewilderment at the thought that someone would resort to making threats simply because he wants to engage in a professional fight.
From Aspinall’s perspective, Jones is employing diversionary tactics to avoid facing him. He likens Jones to a skilled politician, deflecting discussions about the potential matchup by emphasizing his superior resume and achievements.
Aspinall remains resolute, asserting that he is solely focused on fighting Jones at present, irrespective of past accomplishments.
Adding another layer to the situation, Aspinall believes that the UFC is not keen on facilitating the fight, suggesting financial considerations as a probable factor.
He finds it unusual for the promotion to not arrange a bout between healthy champions, especially in a scenario where both fighters are available.
In Aspinall’s prediction, he anticipates that Jones will opt to retire rather than face him in the Octagon. He attributes this foresight to Jones’s strategic evasion of questions and his inclination to position himself as the one to retire rather than prolong his career unnecessarily.
