The interim UFC Heavyweight Champion Tom Aspinol considers John Jones retired and wants to move forward.
Aspinall has not stepped into Ashtakona since July 27, 2024, when he successfully defended the interim title with a knockout of the first round of Curtis Blade. That victory avenged the loan UFC defeat for Espinol (8–1, 15-3 overall).
In November 2024, Espinol’s July victory over Stepe Miosic and Jones’ victory will be seen to warrant an integration bout, but there have been no news in the last seven months and some are calling Jones to snatch Jones from their title. Jones has not competed in that period.
“John Jones is retired,” Espinol on Monday said ESPN’s “Good Guy/Bad Gai” podcast. “I want to say that God blesses him to move forward in whatever he has done with his life and career. We move forward. I am the world’s undisputed heavyweight champion. I am ready to take all commerce and move this division again.
Jones (28–1), a two-time light heavyweight champion, who won the vacant heavyweight belt in March 2023, sees the situation differently than the aspinol.
According to The Independent, UFC, I and Tom, all of us are getting a lot of belongings behind the curtain. “” They are one of the largest outfits in the game and now, Tom and I have agreed to wait for the UFC to make their announcements. So I can’t actually talk about it legally. “
UFC CEO Dana White expressed optimism that the bout will be. In November, he referred to the possible matchup “the biggest fight in heavyweight history”, but, until Jones in Thailand, Jones did not show interest in fighting the British.
Hold-up has delayed most of the matches between any top ranked heavyweight.
“Others don’t want to fight anyone because they themselves may be the next,” Espinol said. “Everyone is afraid to fight. Nobody wants to take the next step. The partition is completely stuck. I am sick from the division. I am there. I’m there. I’m active. I’m active all the time. I am getting better all the time. Just cling me inside. I am ready to fight them all.”
-Bield level media
