TOM ASPINALL believes a showdown with Stipe Miocic makes “absolute sense” while Jon Jones recovers from his horrific injury.
Aspinall, 30, wrote his name into the UFC’s history books this month with a 69-second KO of Sergey Pavlovich at Madison Square Garden to claim the interim heavyweight title.
GETTYTom Aspinall became interim UFC heavyweight champion in November[/caption]
GETTYThe Wigan warrior KO’d Sergey Pavlovich in 69 seconds to become Britain’s third UK champion[/caption]
GETTYInjury to undisputed champ Jon Jones has delayed the progression of the division[/caption]
Aspinall believes a UFC 300 showdown with Stipe Miocic makes ‘perfect’ senseGETTY
The Wigan warrior’s shot at UFC gold came as a result of undisputed champion Jones tearing his right pec just weeks before his scheduled title defence against Miocic.
UFC Chief Executive Dana White insists the promotion won’t deviate from their plans to have Jones face Miocic – a fight which will take place next summer at the earliest.
Aspinall, however, doesn’t want to sit and twiddle his thumbs on the sidelines and believes a title defence against former two-time champion Miocic is the best option for both of them.
In an exclusive sitdown with SunSport, Britain’s third UFC champion said: “That makes absolute sense to me.
“I think that’s the only thing that makes sense, in my opinion.”
Miocic, 41, hasn’t fought since being viciously knocked out in his rematch with Francis Ngannou nearly three years ago.
All signs are pointing to the American’s next outing being his swansong, a fact which isn’t lost on Aspinall.
“I’ve got a tiny small window of time where I could potentially still fight him before he retires,” he admitted. “And I want to take advantage of that.
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Retirement is seemingly on the horizon for 41-year-old Stipe MiocicGETTY
“Like you say, he was supposed to fight in MSG two weeks ago. So he’s healthy and he’s ready to go.
“So why not? Like you say, UFC 300 is perfect. It’s absolutely perfect.”
Aspinall has made no secret of his dream scenario being a stadium unification fight with former pound-for-pound king and Hall-of-Famer Jones.
But with a huge cloud of uncertainty hanging over the timeline for the MMA legend’s return, he’ll more than happily make do with a showdown with Miocic – who he considers to be the greatest heavyweight of all time.
He said: “If Jon Jones, who is the champ – listen there is two heavyweight champs now.
“Granted mine is an interim, but that essential means the title when the champs can’t fight. And I’m completely aware of that.
“But the undisputed title is what I want, so obviously I’m chasing that. But, obviously, right now, that’s unavailable.
“The next best thing is Stipe Miocic.”
APTom Aspinall will happily settle for a fight with Stipe Miocic if he can’t get his hands on Jon Jones[/caption]
Aspinall has tried his best to get back to normal life since conquering The Big Apple, spending time with his kids doing his dad duties around the house.
But keeping the low profile he used to have before becoming a world champion is not as easy as it once was.
Days after returning home, he told SunSport: “I’ve been out a few times and done a couple of school runs and filled my car up with petrol.
“That’s the only time I’ve been out really.
“There is definitely a lot more eyes on me than there were before.
“A lot of people coming over. I think just everyone is happy, especially being a local guy.
“I think people are just happy to see a local guy being a world champion.
“It’s really nice, it’s really nice support from people. I really appreciate it.”
GETTYTom Aspinall is still adjusting to life as a UFC champion[/caption]