Tom Aspinall training to step in ‘at any time’ for Jones vs Miocic

Nothing is official, but Tom Aspinall says he has already started training as if he were heading into a UFC championship fight in November.

With a heavyweight title fight between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic scheduled for November, Aspinall (15-3 MMA, 8-1 UFC) has begun his preparation in case the UFC asks him for a replacement opponent.

The promotion has yet to name Aspinall as an official replacement for Jones vs. Stipe, but that won’t stop him from preparing as if he were.

“I’m back training,” Aspinall said on his YouTube channel. “I’ve started training a little bit in the gym again, getting ready for the fight that’s been talked about – but not confirmed yet – which is obviously Jon Jones versus Stipe Miocic, in New York.

“Like I said, this fight hasn’t been confirmed, but after my last fight against Curtis Blaydes, there were rumors that I was going to be the replacement fighter. The UFC spoke to me directly. I said, ‘I’m in. If someone pulls out, I’m in.’”

Jones won the UFC heavyweight title vacated by Francis Ngannou in March 2023, but has yet to defend it. He was supposed to return last November against Miocic, but was injured and has been out since. Meanwhile, Aspinall won the interim UFC title against Sergei Pavlovich and defended it in July against Curtis Blaydes.

Yet despite Aspinall’s work, the UFC has remained steadfast on keeping the fight with Miocic, who hasn’t fought since 2021. While no evidence has been provided, Aspinall claims that Miocic, 42, has suffered an injury and may not make the fight, giving him even more reason to remain ready.

“Like I said, it’s just rumors at this point,” Aspinall said. “There’s a lot of talk about it, but nothing has been announced yet. It’s just rumors. I’m hearing rumors that Stipe is potentially injured. Those are things I’m hearing from the inner circle.”

“Stipe, I think it was his birthday yesterday (August 19), he’s 42. Jon Jones, who’s been around a million miles, is going to be injury prone. I’m ready to go, man. I’m not even in peak shape yet. I’m hungry, man. I’m not sure if either of those guys are, but I am, and I’ll fight either of them for the undisputed title any day. I’m ready.”