Tom Aspinall accuses UFC of holding heavyweight belt ‘hostage’

Interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall has accused Dana White and the UFC of “holding the belt hostage” and protecting one of their star attractions, Jon Jones.

The Brit shared his thoughts on the ‘Believe You Me’ podcast this week with fellow fighters Michael Bisping and Anthony Smith.

“They way I look at it, I’m the best heavyweight in the world,” Aspinall said on Monday.

“I’m not getting my credit for it.

“They’re holding the belt hostage, mate, and Jon Jones is loving it.”

Aspinall issues challenge to Jones

White has long been known for his high regard of Jones, with the UFC boss consistently stating the American is the best pound-for-pound fighter the promotion has ever seen.

However, Jones has not fought since he won the heavyweight title in early 2023 with a submission of Ciryl Gane.

His return was scheduled for November 2023, but those plans were delayed by injury.

In the meantime, Aspinall has been racking up wins in the division, and the Englishman believes he deserves to be labelled the best heavyweight in the UFC.

“He’s loving the fact that Dana is getting on every interview possible,” Aspinall continued.

“You’re talking about bantamweights, and Dana White flips it and starts talking about how good Jon Jones is.

“I’m like, ‘Mate, if he’s that good, let’s fight.’

“I’m the No.1 heavyweight right now.

“Let’s put it on the line, and let’s see who the man is — me or Jon.

“It’s as simple as that.”

Jones still due to fight Miocic

Despite Aspinall’s challenge, Jones is still due to fight former UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic next.

The bout does not have a confirmed date yet, but UFC bookmakers have Jones pegged as a -200 favourite over Miocic at +170.

Even if the , Aspinall believes Jones will be reluctant to fight him.

“Jon Jones, he was praying that I would lose that fight against Curtis Blaydes,” said Aspinall.

“Praying that I would because there’s no way that you find publicly, nowhere, him saying that he would fight me.

“I challenge everyone to find a statement, a quote, a video where Jon Jones is saying that he’ll fight me after he fights Stipe.

“It doesn’t exist. The guy is smart.”

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