If Demetrious Johnson was Tom Aspinall, he’d pass on the Jon Jones fight.
It’s been over 500 days since we’ve had England’s Aspinall as the interim heavyweight champion, still yet to unify the title with the undisputed champ Jon Jones.
Jones would take a detour at Madison Square Garden last November, opting to fight (and retire) former champ Stipe Miocic at UFC 309.
Ever since, the whole world’s been waiting on the Jones vs. Aspinall fight announcement, including one of the greatest fighters of all time, former UFC Flyweight Champion Demetrious Johnson.
“It’s almost like a movie we’re all excited about, that might never come out,” Johnson said of the heavyweight super-fight on Submission Radio.
READ MORE: Jon Jones defended by UFC fan favorite for requesting six-month camp to prep for Tom Aspinall
Aspinall won the interim title at UFC 295 in Nov. 2023 after Jon Jones had withdrawn from his title defense with Miocic due to injury. Aspinall’s since defended the belt in a rare occurrence against Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304 last summer, all ready to unify.
Meanwhile, Jones reportedly wants six months of preparation for Aspinall, ‘Mighty Mouse’ not a fan of the timeline one bit.
“If I was Tom Aspinall, I’d be like, God, dude, like I’m not f****** waiting six months,” Johnson continued.
“Like y’all need to give me another fight…
“Then again, this could be the biggest fight of his career if he’s able to beat Jon Jones… I have mixed feelings on the six months,” Johnson said.
Demetrious Johnson suggests Tom Aspinall defend interim title again
A lot is on the line when it comes to fighting Jon Jones. All-time legacy, money, the world heavyweight title… Aspinall’s waited this long for those things but how much longer now?
One of the most active champions the UFC will ever see with 11 defenses under his belt, Demetrious Johnson believes it’s time for Aspinall to move on with his career.
“Tom Aspinall should take another fight,” Johnson said.
“I think when you put a athlete who’s very young like that on ice and they don’t get that ring time, they don’t get that opportunity to get out there and just fight and make the money. It’s a little bit different.
“If I was Tom Aspinall, say Jon Jones wants six months. I’m gonna pass on that fight. I’m gonna fight somebody else. I’ll defend the interim heavyweight championship.”
Johnson continued.
“Everybody’s fighting on Jon Jones’s timeline. If I was Tom Aspinall, I wouldn’t have fight on Jon Jones’ timeline. He’s dictating what’s going on right now and when that fight’s gonna happen. If I was Tom Aspinall, I’m like, nah, I’m not waiting six months. I’m not gonna do that,” Johnson said.
“I can’t remember the last time Tom Aspinall fought…”
