Miocic and Jones are both healthy and preparing to fight at UFC 309 in November, despite what interim heavyweight champion Aspinall claims.
Tom Aspinall is at it again.
The British interim heavyweight UFC champion has some time on his hands after knocking out Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304 last month, and he’s using it to spread false information about his rival Jon Jones’ next fight.
Aspinall has said he won’t fight again unless it’s for the undisputed heavyweight title, currently held by Jon Jones. Jones has fought just once in four years, and is scheduled to battle Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 in November — if the two elderly statesmen of fighting can make it to the cage healthy. Yesterday (Thurs. Aug 23, 2024), Aspinall claimed one couldn’t.
Aspinall is known for stirring the pot — he spread reports that he might fight Alex Pereira at UFC 300. He tricked media into believing he was soaking his fists in gasoline to make his knuckles harder. And now he’s spreading rumors about Stipe Miocic being injured in order to increase the pressure for Jones to fight him.
“I’m hearing rumors that Stipe is potentially injured,” Aspinall said in a YouTube video. “The guy is gonna be injury prone. Jon Jones, million miles on the clock, he’s gonna be injury prone. Me, I’m ready to go, lad … I’ll fight either of them for the undisputed title on any notice.”
— Stipe Miocic (@stipemiocic) August 23, 2024
The announcement was enough to get Stipe Miocic to make his own statement on social media, declaring Aspinall’s claim as ‘fake news.’ Numerous other reports from close to Miocic’s camp have confirmed to MMAMania.com that Stipe is healthy and ready to fight in November at Madison Square Garden.
Aspinall has already been tapped as the official backup for the Jones vs. Miocic showdown, which has lost a lot of its luster after “Bones” blew out a pec in 2023, delaying the match for a full year. Will Tom actually end up stepping into the cage at Madison Square Garden? Anything is possible in MMA, but right now there’s no legit indication his services will be needed.
So just be aware: Tommy Gas Hands is bored and willing to say anything to antagonize Jones and the UFC for slowing down his quest for the undisputed heavyweight title. Don’t believe anything coming out of his mouth unless it’s confirmed by others first.