Tyson Fury thinks Tom Aspinall's UFC interim heavyweight title win couldn't have happened to "a more lovely person".
Aspinall needed just 69 seconds to stop Sergei Pavlovich in the co-main event of UFC 295 this past weekend despite taking the fight on just over two weeks' notice. The Brit barely trained for the biggest fight of his life after pulling a muscle in his back just days before accepting the short-notice fight.
Fury said of Aspinall's win on Instagram: "Just want to say a massive shoutout to my brother Tom Aspinall, the new UFC heavyweight champion of the world! God bless you Tom, all the best brother. It couldn't have happened to a more lovely person. Congratulations to you and your family and I hope you have a fantastic, fantastic time."
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'The Gypsy King' had previously reacted to Aspinall's win by tweeting: "We've got some serious talent in England. Massive congratulations to Tom on his win. Another top-tier athlete in the making!" Aspinall has trained with WBC heavyweight champion Fury for years and credited his uncle Peter for changing his outlook on fighting.
Logan Paul and KSI announce new partnership with UFC president Dana WhiteFury got in touch with Aspinall to help him train for his crossover fight against former UFC champion Francis Ngannou last month, which he went on to win by split decision. Aspinall has called for an undisputed fight against Jon Jones next, but he is unlikely to get his dream fight as UFC boss Dana White confirmed Stipe Miocic will serve as Jones' next challenger.
“I’ve seen Jon talking nice stuff about me on a podcast as well, it’s really nice. Obviously, it’s always nice to hear nice things about you, but from someone like that who I massively look up to even more so. Thank you, Jon, and just give me the opportunity. Let me do it, give me my dream fight. I’ve just achieved my dream now, but give me my dream fight," Aspinall said.
"Let me fight for my legacy now, please. I think we should do Tom Aspinall vs Jon Jones in Manchester. That is something special and I'm sure the UFC are going to be on board with that, it would be special. It doesn't have to be Manchester, but if we do the greatest fighter of all time against the UK world champion in the UK. It would be insane, let's do it."