Tom Aspinall has confirmed that he will be the reserve fighter in the highly anticipated UFC heavyweight world title bout between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic on Saturday, November 16, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
The stars of this sport were scheduled to meet in November last year, but Jones tore his pectoral muscle while preparing for the match, which meant the match was postponed.
Briton Aspinall stepped in to face Sergei Pavlovich for the interim heavyweight belt, and has since defended that title in impressive fashion against Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304 in July.
Aspinall believes he is the best heavyweight in the world and has campaigned for a Jones fight for the better part of a year, but he is happy that there will now be movement at the top of the division.
Speaking during an episode of Tom Aspinall’s Fight Lab on Discovery+, the Briton said: “It’s exciting.
“Finally, we’ve got some movement at the top – well, it depends on what you rank at the top of the division, but at the undisputed title level, it’s finally moving.
“We will finally get a result of this, we will finally be able to move forward, the contenders are moving, and hopefully the interim champion will move soon.” [so] It’s all good. “I’m looking forward to it.”
Whatever happens, Aspinall will be at Madison Square Garden for the blockbuster showdown billed as a legacy fight between Jones, considered by many to be the greatest of all time, and Miocic, the most successful heavyweight in the promotion’s history.
“Of course I’ll be there, I’ll be there, front row,” Aspinall added, although he could still take part in the main event if one of the veterans can’t fight.
UFC president Dana White had previously suggested Aspinall would be the replacement if there was any reason for the fighter to withdraw, and the 31-year-old said that was now official.
He continued: “I will be the alternative, and I am preparing now.” “We have about eight weeks to go, so I’m in full camp now. I’m training twice a day [and] “I’m ready to go.”
The UFC 309 card will also see former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira take on Michael Chandler in what promises to be an exciting rematch between two of the most exciting fighters on the roster.
