05 December 2023 , 08:40
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Newly-crowned UFC interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall has issued a sarcastic apology to Jon Jones after the cage legend took him to task for demanding he be stripped of his title.
Aspinall knocked out Sergei Pavlovich in the first round at UFC 295 last month after stepping in at two weeks' notice when Jones pulled out out of his title defence against Stipe Miocic through injury. Brit Aspinall is now at. a crossroads with Jones not set to return until next summer when his clash with Miocic is expected to be rescheduled.
Aspinall called on the former light-heavyweight champion to be stripped of his title to ensure the division is not held up when he told Michael Bisping: “I think Jon Jones should be stripped from the title, to be honest, because everyone else does when they get injured like that,” Aspinall told Michael Bisping on the former middleweight champ’s YouTube channel. I don’t see why he’s still got it, I don’t understand that. I should be the real champion right now.”
Jones, who won the heavyweight title by beating Ciryl Gane earlier this year, hit back, tweeting: "I’ve faced the absolute toughest competition this world had to offer for 15 years now. During camp for a title defence I sustained a major injury that required surgery for the first time in my career. Now I have newcomers requesting I get my championship stripped.
"Zero wins over legends, zero title defenses and already thinking you can call the shots to Dana, that’s hilarious. In my 15 year career I have seen so many guys who are supposed to be the next big thing. There’s ever only been one Jon Jones, never forget that."
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Aspinall took to social media to respond in a seemingly sarcastic manner, saying: "You’re right. Sorry Jon". Immediately after his quick-fire victory, Aspinall called for a fight with Jones to take place in Manchester next year.
"Let me fight for my legacy now, please. I think we should do Tom Aspinall vs Jon Jones in Manchester," he said. "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."