British star Tom Aspinall has revealed that he is ‘aiming’ for a fight with Jon Jones after clinching the UFC’s interim heavyweight title.
On Saturday night, Aspinall became just the third British fighter ever to get their hands on a UFC title after defeating Sergei Pavlovich in the first round at UFC 295.
It was a momentous occasion for the 30-year-old, who took the fight on short notice following an injury to reigning heavyweight champion Jones – who had been scheduled to headline the card against Stipe Miocic.
Aspinall told reporters: ‘I want to fight Jon Jones. That’s what I want to do. I don’t see the interest being there as much with Stipe.
Tom Aspinall (pictured) revealed that he’s ‘aiming’ for a fight with Jon Jones after becoming the UFC ‘s interim heavyweight title
Aspinall won the UFC belt after beating Sergei Pavlovich in the first-round at UFC 295
Jon Jones (pictured) has not fought since his victory over Ciryl Gane and recently got injured
‘I think that 42-year-old Stipe, who’s not fought for three years, compared to a guy like me who’s just knocked out the most dangerous guy in the UFC.
‘I think that the interest will be out there a lot more between me and Jon Jones and I think that the UFC will see that that’s the fight that I’m looking forward to’.
While Aspinall may want a unification bout with Jones, he may have to wait to get it after UFC chief Dana White claimed the American’s original bout – against Miocic – will be his next fight inside the octagon.
When asked whether he’d be upset if the bout never came to fruition, Aspinall continued: ‘It would sting a little as I’d love that fight. I would absolutely love that fight. Is it gonna define my overall career? No.
‘But, would it be nice to take the fight, have that experience and fight someone who’s considered the greatest of all time? Absolutely.
‘Like I would love that fight more than any other fight at this point. So that’s what I’m aiming for right now’.
Jones is regarded as one of the greatest fighters to ever step foot inside the octagon, which his accolades ranging from becoming the youngest UFC champion ever to owning the UFC’s longest unbeaten streak.
The American sent out a congratulatory message to Aspinall following his victory, with many expecting the Brit to relish in his new found interim-champion title.
However, the British star admitted that he enjoyed a brief moment of celebration before returning to ‘normal life’ shortly afterwards.
Jones was originally scheduled to headline the UFC 295 before suffering an injury to his pec
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Aspinall admitted that it would ‘sting’ if a fight with Jones never came to fruition
Revealing his muted post-fight celebrations, Aspinall admitted: ‘The celebrations were quite minimal, actually, to be honest.
‘By the time we got did all the media got back to the hotel, it was like a couple of drinks in the hotel, then we went to a bar.
‘It was probably like 6am by the time I got back, but it was only a couple of hours. So it wasn’t too heavy. So I’m gonna have a little bit of time to chill.
‘But to be honest, I’m looking to get back in the gym in the next couple of days and do a little bit I don’t I’m not into that.
‘Since I needed money and I had all the time off. I’m not really into like partying too much anymore.
‘Nothing like I’m focused now on being the best heavyweight of all time. So I think I’ll celebrate when my career is over’.
One thing that is certain about the Wigan-born fighter is that he’s been a breath of fresh air within the MMA community.
Whether it be his admissions of fear ahead of his bout with Pavlovich or claiming he doesn’t aim to ‘inspire’ anyone, Aspinall keeps it real.
And he kept that same stance when discussing his life post-UFC 2095, as he admitted he’s gone back to a ‘normal life’ – such as taking his kids on the school run!
The interim heavyweight champion claimed he’s returned to ‘normal life’ following his win
Aspinall said he’d taken his kids on the school run, just days after becoming UFC champion (Credit: Instagram @tomaspinallofficial)
The interim heavyweight champion continued: ‘I’m just completely back to normal! Took the kids to school today and I’m going to pick them up in an hour’s time! I’m going about my day absolutely normal. Like, there’s nothing new going on!
‘I never really set out to inspire anyone, you know? That’s not really my goal. But if I can inspire people a little bit, like, it’s just a bonus for me, you know what I mean?
‘I’m not trying to be like some inspirational figure where everyone can walk up to him and follow me because I’m flawed.
‘I’m a human being I do a lot of things wrong as well. I don’t want someone to look and follow my every step because I’ve done a lot of things wrong over the years as well.
‘But if I can inspire someone to get into martial arts and really have a clean and healthy lifestyle, that’s ultimately what I’d like to do’.
