Tom Aspinall can troll with the perfect of them.
The UFC interim heavyweight champion—and No. 1 within the division within the MMA Combating International Rankings—had social media buzzing Monday with an Instagram submit declaring, “Heavyweight information. Coming quickly.” Instantly, followers started to take a position whether or not this meant Aspinall would lastly be asserting a struggle with undisputed champion Jon Jones or maybe a title protection in opposition to a special opponent, however Aspinall shortly shot each prospects down.
Replying to his submit, Aspinall wrote, “UFC announce my fights guys, not me.”
He later joked, “Sorry, guys, I’m preventing for a brand new belt. Interim of the interim BMF UFC heavyweight title. Residing my finest life.”
@tomaspinallofficial, Instagram
Aspinall’s remark is a cheeky retort not-so-subtly aimed toward Jones. Jones just lately responded to followers accusing him of avoiding a struggle with Aspinall, by saying, “I’m residing my very best life. I don’t know if it’s thought of ducking if you’re residing good. I don’t suppose it really works like that.”
Followers haven’t taken kindly to Jones’ angle, calling for the longer term UFC Corridor of Famer to be stripped of his heavyweight title.
The fighters have been concerned in a public confrontation for a lot of the previous two years now, with Jones and Aspinall each laying declare to the UFC’s heavyweight throne. Following a legendary run at mild heavyweight, Jones moved as much as heavyweight—shortly after incumbent champion Francis Ngannou departed the promotion—and went on to defeat Ciryl Gane for a vacant heavyweight belt at UFC 285. His first protection was to be in opposition to all-time nice Stipe Miocic, however an damage compelled Jones out of their UFC 295 assembly and they didn’t meet within the cage till a 12 months later.
With Jones-Miocic off UFC 295, an interim title struggle was arrange between Aspinall and Sergei Pavlovich to bolster that card. Aspinall defeated Pavlovich through knockout in simply 69 seconds and it was anticipated he would face Jones in a unification bout at a later date. With Jones nonetheless recovering from damage, Aspinall as a substitute efficiently defended the interim belt in opposition to Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304. Jones later defeated Miocic at UFC 309 to defend his title.
By way of all of it, Jones has proven little curiosity in a struggle with Aspinall and has repeatedly downplayed the British star’s accomplishments. As of now, it’s unclear when or if Jones plans to compete once more, and what the plans are for Aspinall ought to Jones not be a part of the equation.
