"Let's remember, I ain't Stipe" - Tom Aspinall sends warning to Jon Jones ahead of rumored 2025 clash
Tom Aspinall has not competed since July when he defeated Curtis Blaydes via first-round knockout at UFC 304 to defend his interim heavyweight title for the first time. He has spent much of the time since angling for the opportunity to face Jon Jones in a bout that now appears likely to come to fruition.
The No.1-ranked heavyweight recently shared a warning to 'Bones', claiming that he is not Stipe Miocic - who the heavyweight champion was able to defeat via third-round TKO at UFC 309 last month. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Aspinall stated:
"2025, Tom Aspinall and Jon Jones unifiying the heavyweight belts. One of the first times in recent memory that this has been done. Two heavyweights with belts fighting each other. I was there for the Stipe fight, obviously, in New York City, Madison Square Garden."
Aspinall continued:
"Good fight against Stipe. Let's remember, I ain't Stipe, completely different. And I possess a whole different attribute of skills, aggression, speed, power and everything else to Stipe Miocic. So, Stipe is retired, much respect to him. Much respect to Jon Jones, as well, believe it or not, but I'm coming for both of them belts and 2025 is when it's going to happen."
Check out Tom Aspinall's comments on facing Jon Jones below:
Jones had hinted at retirement leading up to his bout with Miocic, however, he has since revealed that he will return for the right payday. UFC CEO Dana White recently guaranteed that 'Bones' will face Aspinall in 2025, leading many to believe that the promotion has met his asking price.
Daniel Cormier shares thoughts on Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall
Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier have a long-standing rivalry that is one of the biggest in the history of mixed martial arts. The former double champ recently weighed in on 'Bones' potentially facing Tom Aspinall.
During a recent interview with Mike Bohn of MMA Junkie, the UFC Hall of Famer discussed UFC CEO Dana White's recent guarantee that the bout will take place, stating:
"It tells me that they're getting it done. It tells me that they've given Jon Jones a number big enough to get it done. Because I had always thought that Jones was kind of negotiating publicly. I don't think for a second he's afraid of anyone. I think that he was kind of going, 'I want a number so big that I'm going to ride off into the sunset and be done', but he's also kind of laying the foundation for people to recognize that it's almost over."
Check out Daniel Cormier's comments on Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall below (3:17):
Cormier added that while Jones has laid the foundation for a massive payday, he believes it will be the final payday of his illustrious mixed martial arts career. He noted that White would not have guaranteed the bout will take place if the two sides aren't close in negotiations, while predicting that 'Bones' faces Aspinall in the summer of 2025.