‘ASAP’ – Tom Aspinall issues blunt message to Jon Jones and Dana White as UFC mega-fight seemingly stalls
TOM ASPINALL is growing frustrated by the delay in finalising his heavyweight showdown with Jon Jones.
A historic unification bout between the interim and undisputed titleholders has been in the works since last November.
The fight seemingly moved a massive step closer to coming to fruition earlier this month when Jones reportedly came to terms with the UFC brass.
But the booking of the fight has seemingly ground to a screeching halt, much to the frustration of Aspinall.
The Wigan warrior told One on One MMA: “So we need to find out who the guy [the real heavyweight champion] is.
“If it’s not Jon Jones, get out the way, I’ll take the title, I’ll fight someone else, happy days,”
When asked when he wants the unification bout to take place, he replied: “ASAP [as soon as possible].”
SunSport understands Dana White and the rest of the UFC brass tentatively earmarked Jones vs Aspinall for UFC 317 on June 28.
And Aspinall is more than happy to headline the promotion’s International Fight Week card against the former pound-for-pound king.
“I like it, I like it,” the 31-year-old said. “Anytime sounds good for me but I’m ready to go whenever I’ve told them [the UFC] that as well.”
MMA fans around the world are hoping Aspinall gets his long-overdue showdown with Jones this summer.
But insider and veteran reporter Ariel Helwani recently revealed that Jones wants at least SIX MONTHS to prepare for his second defence of the 265lbs strap.
During Uncrowned’s recap of UFC 313, Helwani said: “Well the clock is ticking on that one [a summer fight between Jones and Aspinall].
“Because I was told that Jon wants six months to prepare [once] the fight is locked in.
“And what’s six months from now? September?
“I’m sure money talks but it feels like the summer – if that is the goal – it’s starting to slip away a little bit.”
Despite the uncertainty surrounding Jones vs Aspinall, UFC bigwig White is confident the fight – which he reckons could be the “biggest” in the promotion’s history – will happen.
During an appearance on The Jim Rome Show, the 55-year-old said: “The plan is [for Aspinall] to fight Jon this summer.
“Obviously, when, where and all that stuff is being determined.
“My goal this year is to make that fight [with] Aspinall.”
Jones hasn’t competed since retaining his undisputed belt with a sensational spinning-back kick KO of former champion Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 last November.
Aspinall, meanwhile, was last in action last July at UFC 304 in Manchester, where he scored a 60-second stoppage of Curtis Blaydes in their rematch