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UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones denied interim title holder Tom Aspinall’s request for a face-off during their first meeting in Birmingham on Saturday. Aspinall has been campaigning to unify the titles since winning gold at the UFC 295 against Sergei Pavlovich in November 2023. Jones, on the other hand, was expected to lock horns with Stipe Miocic but couldn’t do so due to a torn pectoral tendon in training camp. He won the title against Ciryl Gane in March 2023.
During their recent meeting in Birmingham, Jones moved the interim champion’s hand from his shoulder after the latter asked for a face-off. In a video shared on his YouTube, Aspinall said, “We will do this thing. I would love to man.” Jones replied by saying, “I would hope so. All the best.” The English fighter then went on to ask for a picture and said, “We do a quick picture?” to which Jones agreed.
Jon Jones denies Tom Aspinall’s face-off request
When the 30-year-old suggested a face-off, Jones denied it. Jones replied to Aspinall’s request, and said, “Nah.” After their interaction, the English UFC artist posted the video on his TikTok, where he praised talked about Jones and said, “He's alright, mate. First time I met him. He's nowhere as big as I thought. I thought he's a lot taller, but I guess when you fight at light-heavyweight your whole career, and you're 6'4", you look really tall.”
This wasn’t it, the English UFC Champion went on to say that he would beat Jones if they both engaged in a fight. Aspinall added, “I'm a full-grown heavyweight, aren't I? He's nowhere as big as me, but size doesn't matter really. We're both massive guys, but I'll take that one. I think I beat him definitely.” Notably, Jones currently holds a 27-1 record while Aspinall is on 14-3.