In a recent show of strength and skill, Tom Aspinall has solidified his status as a rising star in the UFC heavyweight division. At 30 years old, the British fighter is the current UFC interim heavyweight champion, a title he fiercely defended against Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304 in July. As UFC President Dana White puts it, Aspinall is "a scary dude" and "looks like the future of the heavyweight division."
Winning and defending an interim title is no small feat. In the UFC's 31-year history, there have only been a handful of instances where an interim title was successfully defended. Aspinall’s accomplishment places him in rare company and adds significant weight to his claim as one of the most promising athletes in the sport today. His quick and decisive victory against Blaydes demonstrated his capabilities and earned him respect across the mixed martial arts community.
Aspinall’s Journey and Future Challenges
Aspinall, who has been waiting since November 2023 for a title fight involving the reigning heavyweight champion Jon Jones and former champion Stipe Miocic, now faces the unique predicament of proving himself further. While Dana White acknowledges Aspinall’s talents, he stresses that the British fighter is "working his way up" and still "climbing up the ladder." White adds, "Everyone says, 'He deserves this and he deserves that.' The dude doesn't deserve anything. He looks great and he looks like he's going to be the guy."
Currently, Jon Jones remains the heavyweight champion and is showing a keen interest in facing Stipe Miocic and light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira. This focus has inevitably delayed any immediate face-off with Aspinall. However, White believes that the outcome of the potential Jones-Miocic fight could pave the way for Aspinall’s opportunity. "You have Stipe and Jon -- who have paid their dues, they've been here forever, they've fought everybody and they've fought all the fights you can possibly fight -- these guys deserve to fight each other. Whoever wins that fight, I think they owe it to Aspinall to fight him and give him the opportunity that they've been given," White explains.
The Aspinall Advantage
Intriguingly, Aspinall has the edge over Jones in one significant aspect: the number of heavyweight title defenses. Aspinall’s successful defense of his interim title demonstrates not just his aptitude in the octagon but also his resilience in holding onto his position at the top. This track record could serve as a compelling argument for Aspinall’s contention for the undisputed heavyweight title.
White remains optimistic about Aspinall’s chances, stating he would be "shocked" if Jones didn't want to fight the British contender. This vote of confidence from the UFC president highlights the high esteem in which Aspinall is held within the organization, despite his relative nascence compared to stalwarts like Jones and Miocic.
What Lies Ahead
While Aspinall continues his ascent and waits for his well-earned title shot, the spotlight will inevitably shine on Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic as they prepare for what could be Miocic’s swan song. Dana White has confirmed that Miocic will "100% retire" after fighting Jones, adding another layer of intrigue to this looming battle. For Aspinall, the outcome of this fight could be the key to his ultimate goal of becoming the undisputed heavyweight champion.
Till that moment arrives, Aspinall remains a formidable force in the UFC’s heavyweight division, described by Dana White as "the future." UFC fans and analysts alike will be keenly watching his journey, anticipating if and when he will get his shot at the undisputed title. If his past performance is any indicator, Aspinall is well on his way to etching his name among the greats in UFC history.