While it’s looking more and more likely that Tom Aspinall won’t get his wish of fighting Jon Jones (or Stipe Miocic for that matter) given their likely retirements following UFC 309 in New York in November, he isn’t giving up all hope. 

Jones, heavyweight champion since March 2023, has long been awaiting a title defence against former champion Stipe Miocic which has been delayed for almost a year while he rehabs a pectoral injury sustained in preparation last year — a factor which has been a point of contention for Tom Aspinall, who claimed the interim heavyweight crown in Jones’ absence in New York in November 2023.

Since then, the Briton has actively campaigned for a fight with Jones — though both he and the UFC have held steady on their desire for the Jones-Miocic bout, which recent reporting indicates will likely be the final fights of their respective careers.

It was confirmed this past weekend by UFC brass that the Jones-Miocic bout will serve as the headliner in Madison Square Garden at UFC 309 in November — and addressing the book, Aspinall said that he will be there and will be more than happy to act as the backup fighter should one half of the fight be unable to compete.

“Big Jon Jones, big Stipe Miocic matched up with one another — finally it’s official,” Aspinall said on his YouTube channel, per MMA Junkie.

“November 16th, MSG, New York City, the heavyweight title is on the line at long last. Finally, we are confirmed for it, and I will of course be there to watch these two gentlemen go at it.

He added: “I, of course, have told the UFC that if anybody gets injured or there’s any other reason why nobody can make it to that fight, one of them pull out, I’m ready to go. If I need to, I’ll fight both of them in the same night, no problem. Give me my undisputed title.”

Aspinall last competed in July where he scored a 60-second TKO of top contender Curtis Blaydes in defence of his UFC interim heavyweight title.