Tom Aspinall makes crude joke as he looks ahead at a stacked 2023 UFC schedule
It is safe to say that Tom Aspinall is looking forward to the UFC's stacked 2023 schedule. The No.6-ranked heavyweight took to Twitter to share his excitement for the events of the year, stating:
"We are some lucky MMA fans with some of the fights we have coming up over the next 12 months or so. What a time to be a part of it all. Anyone else have a stiffy?"
The UFC has five title fights scheduled over the next two months, in addition to an interim title fight. Each of the four pay-per-view cards is headlined by compelling matchups.
Alexander Volkanovski will look to become the fifth double champ in UFC history when he faces Islam Makhachev at UFC 284. Jon Jones will attempt to become the eighth fighter in promotional history to hold two belts when he makes his highly anticipated heavyweight debut against Ciryl Gane at UFC 285 after three years away from the octagon.
Kamaru Usman and Israel Adesanya will both try to win back their belts as they face Leon Edwards at UFC 286 and Alex Pereira at UFC 287, respectively. Additionally, Conor McGregor will make his highly anticipated return to the octagon against Michael Chandler after coaching The Ultimate Fighter Season 31.
Check out Tom Aspinall's tweet about the UFC's 2023 schedule below:
We are some lucky MMA fans with some of the fights we have coming up over the next 12 months or so. What a time to be a part of it all. Anyone else have a stiffy?
Tom Aspinall discusses potentially fighting at UFC 286
Tom Aspinall is among the highest-ranked UFC fighters from the United Kingdom. The No.6-ranked heavyweight tore his MCL and meniscus in his last appearance at UFC Fight Night 208 in July 2022.
The #UFCLondon main event ends in a victory for @RazorBlaydes265 after an unfortunate knee injury to Tom Aspinall. https://t.co/Ek5GsUIZEr
Aspinall recently discussed appearing on the UFC's first pay-per-view in the country since 2016, stating to Online Betting Guide:
"I spoke to the UFC before Christmas about UFC 286 and they just said keep them updated if I wanted to be on the show or not. Especially for a UK show, I'm a pretty big draw, and without sounding arrogant, it's up to me whether I want to be on that show or not. I'm sure they'll try to get me on it if I want to be on it. I'm just waiting to see where everything is at."
Aspinall continued to elaborate on the situation by saying:
"If I give them six or eight weeks, I'm sure they'll do their best to get me on, but it also depends on the division, it's got to be a fight that makes sense. It's got to be someone I'm interested in fighting... My gut feeling is I'm not going to be on the card but who knows... I feel really good and who knows, I might have a couple more spars and think stuff it, let's go for it, there’s a slim chance of that happening."
Tom Aspinall has headlined the last two UFC cards that took place in the United Kingdom. While it is unlikely that he will return for UFC 286, the No.6-ranked heavyweight is not ruling out the possibility.