Tom Aspinall believes he should be the undisputed UFC heavyweight champion. Aspinall, who claimed the interim title with a finish over Sergei Pavlovich earlier this month, believes Jon Jones should have already been stripped of the belt following his injury.
For interim UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall, having that title of “interim” attached to his name is not sitting all too well.
Aspinall believes he should be the undisputed champion after Jon Jones, the reigning titleholder, was forced to the sidelines following an injury and subsequent surgery. Aspinall went on to top Sergei Pavlovich earlier this month at UFC 295 for the belt.
“I think Jon Jones should be stripped from the title, to be honest, because everyone else does when they get injured like that,” Aspinall said during an interview with Michael Bisping (thanks to MMA Fighting for the quotes). “I don’t see why he’s still got it. I don’t understand that. I should be the real champion right now.”
Tom Aspinall Talks Jon Jones, Stripping Him Of Title
Several times over the years, the UFC has stripped a champion who has been injured while preparing to defend. Most recently, that happened to Jamahal Hill and the light heavyweight title.
Instead, it appears plans to keep Jones and Stipe Miocic on a collision course remain the idea. Those two were set for UFC 295 before the injury.
“It’s hard to say without sounding rude, but who (wants) Jon Jones and Stipe anymore,” Aspinall said. “Why do we get this legacy fight? And they get to live by their own rules?
“What’s a legacy fight – a retirement fight for a title? I want to fight Stipe and then I want to fight Jon Jones.
“I think all this other stuff is rubbish. Stop protecting him now, stop protecting your boy Jon Jones at the top. If he’s injured, get out of the way and I’ll fight Stipe.”
As of now, nothing is planned for Tom Aspinall to defend the interim title or compete.
