Tom Aspinall is no stranger to being out of action, but his current wait for a fight is different because there`s no clear timeline for his return.
His single UFC loss occurred on July 23, 2022, when his knee failed just fifteen seconds into his main event fight against Curtis Blaydes in London. This injury halted Aspinall`s rapid ascent. He finally returned almost a year later, securing a swift 73-second knockout win over Marcin Tybura. In his very next bout, Aspinall claimed the interim heavyweight title by defeating Sergei Pavlovich even quicker.
Since earning the interim belt, Aspinall has defended it once, successfully avenging his defeat to Blaydes in July. He has consistently stated his desire to face the undisputed champion, Jon Jones. Jon Jones, the former light heavyweight king, captured the vacant heavyweight title by defeating Ciryl Gane after Francis Ngannou`s departure. He was then set to defend the belt against Stipe Miocic at UFC 309, a matchup originally booked a year prior but postponed due to a Jones injury.
In a conversation on Demetrious Johnson`s MightyCast podcast, Aspinall discussed how his current period of inactivity compares to his year-long recovery after the injury.
Aspinall reflected, saying, “After the significant injury, I found myself at a turning point. I had earned some money, enough for a house and such, and I questioned if I wanted to continue this path. Being injured in front of everyone was devastating. It was a difficult period. My knee rehabilitation took a year, including physiotherapy and all that. The first couple of months were mentally tough, but once I began working towards my return, seeing the doctor and physio provided concrete goals. They`d give instructions like, `In two weeks, you need to do this in the gym – squat to 90 degrees, jump on this box, run a mile. Then you can start boxing, etc.` I always had specific targets to aim for.”
He continued, “So after spending a couple of months inactive on the couch, getting back into the gym and working towards those different objectives felt wonderful. I felt great, thinking, `I absolutely want to return. Now I`ll push forward, injury-free, win the heavyweight championship, become a legend, knock everyone out,` and so on. I felt very positive about it, fully on my path to recovery.”
While recovering from MCL and meniscus injuries, Aspinall understood it would be a lengthy process, but one marked by clear, achievable milestones. In contrast, his current wait for a fight, specifically against Jon Jones, has extended for over a year, despite the common expectation that the undisputed champion would agree to a unification fight against the interim titleholder.
This anticipated fight has not materialized.
“Currently, I`ve been inactive for almost a year with no clear fight in sight, just the waiting,” Aspinall stated. “Mentally, this is proving more challenging than the injury layoff. Back then, people would ask, `Are you okay? How are you handling your return?` and I could genuinely say I was fine. I had things to anticipate – the doctor giving me tasks for two weeks, or the knowledge that in two months I could start grappling. I consistently had small objectives. But now, it`s simply `Just be ready, and we`ll inform you.`”
He added, “It`s mentally tough, but this is all about the potential fight with Jon Jones. The actual fight is one challenge, but this current phase is the difficult part where I must remain focused and motivated. I`m doing my utmost, but it`s tough at times.”
Aspinall has consistently maintained that he doesn`t fault Jones if his hesitation to fight stems purely from financial considerations, especially given that the veteran light heavyweight is likely nearing the end of his career.
Regardless of how the situation is resolved, he expressed hope that it ultimately results in him holding the undisputed heavyweight championship belt.
“Honestly, I fully understand Jon`s perspective,” Aspinall stated. “I grasp it completely. For me, it`s solely about the title. I just want the belt, period. Nothing else truly matters. So I completely comprehend his viewpoint and what everyone is saying. All I want is to prove I`m the best, that`s the simple truth.”
