Tom Aspinall, the Interim UFC Heavyweight Champion, has said he will fight at UFC 304 in Manchester.
Aspinall wants to stay active following his first-round KO win over Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 295 last November. It was the Brit’s second consecutive KO win after stopping Marcin Tybura. Aspinall has been chasing a title shot with Jon Jones, who is currently out injured after pulling out of his title defense against Stipe Miocic at UFC 295.
The UFC fighter requested that Dana White strip Jones so he could fight Miocic for the title. This was on the basis the winner would then face Jones. White refused as Aspinall looked elsewhere.
White did hint that there would be a big PPV in England this summer. Aspinall and Leon Edwards were some of the names linked on the card.
White Reacts
“I have an English heavyweight champion and lots of other European stars. Two champs now out of England. That’s another thing that was happening just recently, so we have these teams that build all their different pieces to the puzzle. Then we come together with me and I start trying to fit the pieces of the puzzle together and I’m like this doesn’t fit here, that’s got to go. That’s how it all works.
“We had these fights where it’s like we’re going to do this where? No, we’re going to England. So we’re going to England. We’re coming and I got great fights lined up for the U.K. fans and I’m excited to get back there. Literally days [away from announcing the event]. We’re right there working on stuff. [It will be a] numbered card, pay-per-view. A great one,” White stated
Aspinall Responds
Now, Aspinall’s return is close, with the fighter stating he has signed his side of the agreement. All that is left to do is wait for the opponent to sign his side.
@tomaspinallofficialWaiting for … to accept #fypシ #viral #ufc #manchester #tomaspinall
♬ Still D.R.E – Instrumental – The Harmony Group
“Right, I’m just back from Vegas. I was over there doing YouTube stuff, meetings, all of that stuff. I had a meeting with the UFC. It has now been confirmed that I am fighting on UFC Manchester. So, I’m back home preparing for that now. I’ve started the early stages of training camp. I’m just waiting for my opponent to accept [the fight]. So stay tuned, keep up with the socials, and keep up with the YouTube channel. I’ll be announcing it very soon,” Aspinall said
This naturally raises questions: who could Aspinall face? He has been linked with two primary names: Cyril Gane and Curtis Blaydes. Aspinall accused Gane of ducking several fighters, one of which was himself. The interim champion stated Gane avoided a fight with Pavlovich before he took it. He also alleged Gane did the same against Blaydes. Gane, who has lost both his world title shots, did respond. He called out Aspinall, telling him to see him in September.
The other likely option is Blaydes. He is the only man to have given Aspinall a loss, beating him in July 2022. However, the fight was over in the first round after Aspinall suffered a knee injury. That has set the narrative to run things back, showing Aspinall is facing the best outside of the Jones fight.
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