Tom Aspinall is telling UFC fans to keep a weather eye on the horizon, as speculation continues regarding his heavyweight title unification bout against ‘Bones’.
A whole host of MMA superstars have made the trip out to London to watch UFC Fight Night: Edwards vs Brady, including former world champions Ilia Topuria and Alex Pereira.
UFC interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall is also set to be in attendance; a few hours ago, the British juggernaut shared an exciting two-word tease after linking up with Dana White’s right-hand man.
Tom Aspinall links up with Dana White’s right-hand man
Taking to social media earlier today, Tom Aspinall posted a picture of himself and his father Andy, alongside UFC matchmaker and Dana White’s right-hand man, Hunter Campbell.
The popular interim heavyweight champion shared the image to Instagram with the caption “Stay Tuned,” alongside an eye and handshake emoji, to the tune of Coolio’s Gangster’s Paradise.
Hunter Campbell is widely considered to be one of the most influential figures in the UFC, with the assumption being that he and Aspinall were discussing terms for the title unification fight versus Jon Jones.
Aspinall’s two-word tease comes on the heels of Dana White revealing that the title unification bout is as close to ‘done’ as can be without an official announcement.
“Well, I’ll tell you what I’ve been telling you since day one, the fight’s going to happen – it’s just a matter of when now, and getting it signed and done,” White told TNT Sports: “The fight will happen. It’s gonna happen.
“It’s done, but it’s not done enough to sit right here now and announce it and give you a date – but the fight is going to happen… There’s no logistics. It’s just a matter of getting it signed.”
Ironically, as the Briton was linking up with Hunter Campbell, his heavyweight rival was in Miami for his first day working with Dirty Boxing Championship – in which Jones led an X-rated chant aimed at Aspinall.
Tom Aspinall’s father orders Jones to sign the contract or vacate title
Tom Aspinall’s father, Andy Aspinall, remains a key figure in the English juggernaut’s team and during a recent interview with Jamal Niaz, ordered Jones to sign the contract or vacate the title.
“You are contracted to do three fights a year and I think he’s worked himself into a position where [Aspinall] should fight for a belt… For me, if a guy doesn’t want to fight for the belt, he should vacate it.
“Tom isn’t bothered about Jones… Jon Jones is just another body in the gym, another b– in the shower… [Tom] just wants to compete, he’s a competitor. And as a coach, you want him to compete when he’s fit. You don’t want him just sitting around in the gym.”
Aspinall himself believes that one key part of his father’s training regime separates him from Jon Jones and every other UFC heavyweight contender.
“It’s making the right decisions at the right times. My skillset is good, but so is everyone else’s. Being in the gym since I was 10 years old doesn’t harm [my decision-making], and my dad also talks a lot about training the eyes [which is about] making your reactions quicker.
“I don’t think many people do that, to be honest… I think my decision-making is the best in the division by far.”
Aspinall is expected to attend tonight’s UFC Fight Night: Edwards vs Brady card in London – perhaps we’ll hear more about this meeting with Hunter Campbell? Keep an eye out as Bloody Elbow tracks all the major headlines from the event.
