Aspinall holding out for undisputed UFC heavyweight title shot

Reigning interim UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall has declared that he will not fight again unless it is for the division’s undisputed title.

The Brit recently defended his interim title, defeating Curtis Blaydes with an emphatic first-round knockout at UFC 304.

However, an undisputed title fight has still been slow to come for the 31-year-old, with current heavyweight champion Jon Jones due to face Stipe Miocic later this year instead.

“I don’t know what’s happening next,” Aspinall said in a recent interview when asked about his next fight in the UFC.

“That’s kind of out of my hands.

“All I know is my next fight is going to be for an undisputed title.

“That’s it. I won’t do anything else.

“My next fight, I’ll fight anybody as always, as I’ve done throughout my whole career, you can ask any of the UFC matchmakers that.

“But right now, I’m the best UFC heavyweight in the world and I’m fighting for an undisputed title next.”

Backup to Jones vs Miocic most likely for Aspinall

Chances are, the closest Aspinall will get to an undisputed title fight this year is being the backup fighter for Jones vs Miocic later this year.

While the fight is yet to be confirmed, it has been discussed as a potential main event for UFC 309 in New York this November.

Early markets have Jones as the heavy favourite at -400, with UFC bookmakers giving Miocic odds of +325 to spring an upset.

Should one of them pull out of the fight, Aspinall could well get a shot at the undisputed title instead.

In his post-fight comments after UFC 304, the promotion’s CEO, Dana White, confirmed that Aspinall would be a strong option to have waiting in reserve for the Jones vs Miocic fight.

“I’d fight them guys on an hour’s notice if they needed me to,” Aspinall said about being a backup fighter for the heavyweight clash.

“Listen, I could beat both of these guys, no problem.

“If I’ve got to do it on a day’s notice, I can do it. Easily.

“So I’ll be there and savour the opportunity if it presents itself.”

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