"Like a schoolboy with his participation trophy"- Tom Aspinall's pre-fight shoot as backup fighter for UFC 309 sparks mixed reactions from fans
Tom Aspinall's photoshoot for his backup role for UFC 309 received various reactions from fans.
The UFC will return to the Madison Square Garden in New York for a highly-anticipated pay-per-view event on Nov. 16. In the UFC 309 main event, Jon Jones will end a year-and-a-half layoff to defend his heavyweight title against an all-time great in the division, Stipe Miocic.
Jones and Miocic were initially scheduled to fight in November 2023 before the reigning champion suffered a torn pectoral muscle. As a result, the division attempted to move on by crowning Aspinall as the interim champion, a title he's already defended while waiting for an undisputed opportunity.
Aspinall will serve as the UFC 309 main event backup in case Jones or Miocic need a replacement. Earlier today, ESPN MMA took to X and posted a short video of Aspinall's fight week photoshoot with a UFC title and gear.
Fans reacted to Aspinall's photoshoot with mixed emotions, saying:
"So cute. Like a schoolboy with his participation trophy. Pinch his cheeks."
"Ladies and Gentlemen.. The REAL Heavyweight Champion"
"Call him the champion because Jon won’t fight him"
"The best thing Tom could do is stop walking around with that belt. Stop taking pictures. Refuse to even hold it. He’s not a real champ, don’t care how he feels about it."
Check out more comments below:
Many fans called for Jones to fight Aspinall instead of Miocic, despite the latter's legendary resume. The 42-year-old hasn't fought since losing the UFC heavyweight title due to a second-round knockout against Francis Ngannou in March 2021.
What's next for Tom Aspinall following UFC 309?
UFC CEO Dana White confirmed Tom Aspinall's next fight will be for the undisputed heavyweight title. With that said, there's a possibility that Aspinall doesn't face Jon Jones or Stipe Miocic.
Regardless of the UFC 309 result, Miocic's future is unclear as most people believe he could retire after Saturday's event. Meanwhile, Jones has continued to tease his retirement, downplaying his interest in fighting Aspinall.
Aspinall's upcoming fight plans could change drastically based on how Jones vs. Miocic plays out, especially if either fighter suffers a significant injury. Aspinall is already nearly five months removed from his last win against Curtis Blaydes.