‘It’d be nice to fight Jon Jones, but…’ – Tom Aspinall reveals how he’ll feel if MMA icon retires after UFC 309
TOM ASPINALL won’t cry over spilt milk if he never gets to fight Jon Jones.
Aspinall, 31, has been chasing a historic heavyweight title unification bout with the pound-for-pound great since claiming interim gold last November.
Jones, however, has repeatedly brushed off the prospect of sharing the octagon with the Wigan warrior.
The American has hinted his UFC 309 showdown with Stipe Miocic early on Sunday morning will be his final fight – despite scores of MMA fans turning on him and accusing him of ducking Aspinall.
Unifying the belts against Jones would be a “dream” come true for Aspinall, although he won’t throw his toys out of the pram if he never gets to dance with the Hall-of-Famer.
In an exclusive interview with SunSport, Aspinall said: “Ultimately, I want to be the heavyweight champion of the world It doesn’t really matter about Jon Jones.
“It’d be nice, it’d be a lovely cherry on the cake to have the scalp and get that experience.
“I’m a massive Jon Jones fan, first and foremost. It would just be awesome to experience that with Jon.
“But as Jon said, Jon said, ‘Don’t let me hold you back.’
“And when he said that, I thought, ‘You know what, he’s right.’
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How to Watch UFC 309
The UFC makes it's annual visit to New York City on November 16 for another blockbuster pay-per-view card.
UFC 309 will take place at the iconic Madison Square Garden, which provided some unforgettable moments since mixed martial arts was legalised in New York state in 2016.
Topping the bill at the ‘World’s Most Famous Arena’ is the eagerly-anticipated heavyweight title fight between champion Jon Jones and former titleholder Stipe Miocic.
And in the co-main event of the evening, Michael Chandler will throw down with former lightweight champion and fellow fan favourite Charles Oliveira.
UFC 309 is undoubtedly one of the most anticipated cards of what has been another massive year for MMA’s top promotion.
And fans in the UK and Ireland can watch all the action from what promises to be an incredible night at MSG live on TNT Sports Box Office.
The penultimate pay-per-view card of the year will be available to purchase for a mere £19.99.
UFC 309 will also be available to buy on Discovery+, EE TV, Prime Video, Virgin Media TV and Sky Sports.
And fight fans don’t need to subscribe to TNT Sports to buy the star-studded event.
Watch UFC 309: Jones v Miocic exclusively live on TNT Sports Box Office from 1am on Saturday 16 November.
For more info visit: tntsports.co.uk/boxoffice
“I’m not letting Jon hold me back. He’s doing his thing, I’m doing my thing.
“If we cross paths, I’ll try my best to take him out.”
Aspinall, however, will likely be irked if Jones sticks around for a blockbuster showdown with surging superstar Alex Pereira.
Although UFC supremo Dana White has claimed Jones will “absolutely” face the Atherton assassin should he be victorious at MSG.
Watch UFC 309: Jones v Miocic exclusively live on TNT Sports Box Office from 1am on Saturday 16 November.
For more info visit: tntsports.co.uk/boxoffice