Tom Aspinall’s rise to the top of the heavyweight division has been rapid, but the interim champion’s journey to unify the title has stalled. His father, Andy Aspinall, has had enough.
The Brit captured the interim gold with a blistering performance in November 2023. Despite repeated promises from UFC President Dana White, a fight with undisputed champion Jon Jones remains elusive. White has assured fans the bout will happen, but reports from inside the UFC have cast doubt. Meanwhile, Aspinall waits on the sidelines, nearing a year without a fight.
Tom Aspinall’s Father Expresses His Frustration Over Waiting for the Jon Jones Fight
Andy Aspinall did not hold back when asked about the situation, openly criticizing the UFC’s handling of his son’s career.
“It’s stupid. I have no idea the reason why the UFC doesn’t want Tom to fight anybody other than Jon Jones,” Andy said in a YouTube video on Tom’s channel. “Stay tuned — that’s the message they wanted Tom to give out to people. We’re in April now, still waiting for (Jon) to say ‘I’ll have a fight’ or ‘I’ll not have a fight.’ I don’t really understand that. He’s a fighter who should be having fights.”
He continued, questioning Jones’ silence: “Why’s he still sitting around not giving an answer as to whether he’s gonna fight or not?”
Tom Aspinall's father expresses his frustration over waiting for the Jon Jones fight:
"It's stupid. I have no idea the reason why the UFC don't want Tom to fight anybody else other than Jon Jones.
'Stay tuned'. That's the message they wanted Tom to give out to people… we're… pic.twitter.com/csGjfyi0Fl
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) April 27, 2025
The tension grew after UFC CEO Dana White recently dismissed Chael Sonnen’s claim that Aspinall would face Ciryl Gane next. White remains committed to booking Aspinall vs. Jones this year, although fans are growing skeptical.
Georges St-Pierre Weighs In on the Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall Debacle
The protracted wait for Jon Jones to face Tom Aspinall has also caught the attention of MMA legend Georges St-Pierre. Widely regarded as one of the greatest fighters in UFC history, St-Pierre weighed in on the situation during a recent interview with Bloody Elbow.
“If I had to choose someone in his prime to put in the Colosseum hand-to-hand, I think it would be Jon Jones. It’s hard to deny that. However, nobody beats time. Tom Aspinall is on a hell of a run now,” said St-Pierre.
The former welterweight and middleweight champion acknowledged that while fans are desperate to see the fight, the business side of the sport complicates things. Reports suggest that Jones may be seeking a massive payday — reportedly $30 million — to take the fight, a point St-Pierre empathized with.
“As a fan, I want to see this fight,” St-Pierre added. “But I think Tom is very hungry, and it’s up to Jon to see if he still wants to do this and if the UFC can compensate him (well) because I think he deserves it.”
For now, Aspinall remains stuck in limbo, awaiting a green light that may or may not come. Whether Jones ultimately decides to defend his title or vacate it, the heavyweight division and its fans are desperate for clarity.