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The stakes at the heavyweight division remain high following the revelation from UFC President Dana White that Tom Aspinall won't be stepping into the Octagon against either Stipe Miocic or Jon Jones in his next bout.
Amidst Aspinall's ascent, the interim heavyweight titleholder showcased his prowess with a stunning 69-second knockout victory over Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 295, earning a share of the heavyweight throne in the process. This interim bout arose due to an unfortunate injury sidelining Jones from a much-anticipated clash against Miocic, leading to the creation of the interim title.
With Jones expected to be out of action until at least the first quarter of 2024 and both Jones and Miocic adamant about facing each other exclusively, White clarified Aspinall's immediate future in the title picture.
In a conversation with TNT Sports, White quashed the possibility of Aspinall facing Jones and affirmed that stripping Jones of his status isn't in consideration, acknowledging Jones as the greatest mixed martial artist. Addressing Aspinall directly, White reassured the young fighter of his eventual shot at the title but emphasized that the impending clash between Jones and Miocic takes precedence.
Jones, whose last fight was against Ciryl Gane at UFC 285 where he secured the vacant title, has remained inactive since 2020, while Aspinall's recent victories over Marcin Tybura and Pavlovich have propelled him to interim title glory.
However, White hasn't ruled out the potential for Aspinall to defend his interim belt before the anticipated Jones-Miocic showdown, especially with the upcoming top-contender bout between Curtis Blaydes and Jailton Almeida at UFC 299 on March 9.
While Aspinall has various potential challengers for his interim belt, including Blaydes and the undefeated Almeida, White expressed enthusiasm for Aspinall to defend the title, particularly if the Englishman decides to stage his first title defense on home soil.
"He’s the champ," White affirmed. "If he wants to defend the title, we’d absolutely do it."
As the heavyweight landscape evolves with the impending clash between titans, Aspinall's path to solidify his championship status awaits, with contenders lurking in the wings for an opportunity to challenge the interim kingpin.