Tom Aspinall, the English mixed martial arts star, has expressed his good wishes to Jon Jones after his retirement, although he regrets not having been able to officially dispute the undisputed UFC heavyweight title. Aspinall (15-3) became the undisputed champion last Saturday, after UFC CEO Dana White announced Jones’ (28-1) retirement from the world of MMA. Aspinall, who won the interim title in November 2023, was expecting a unification fight against Jones. In an interview, Aspinall revealed that, from a personal perspective, he would have liked Jones to continue competing, although he respects his decision. “I have always considered myself the champion,” he stated, “and I am glad that the situation with Jones is a thing of the past and we can move forward.”
Aspinall added: “I don’t know Jones personally. I know he’s going through his own difficulties at the moment. I wish him the best of luck. If he feels he has done enough, so be it, and I wish him the best for the rest of his life.” Jones, considered by many as the best fighter of all time, faces a legal situation after being accused of leaving the scene of an accident in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in February. He is scheduled to appear in court next month. With Jones’ official retirement, Aspinall, 32, is expected to defend his heavyweight crown in the near future. The English fighter hopes to fight twice this year, although no matches have been confirmed yet. “A fight is coming,” Aspinall said about his next fight. “It will be soon. I want to fight twice this year. I absolutely see that [happening].”I never chased Jon, I chased the heavyweight title. Jon Jones would have been a great name on my record, but the opponent never mattered. What was important to me was being the best in the world.
Tom Aspinall
