Interim UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall is suggesting to UFC fans to anticipate upcoming news, as discussions intensify regarding a potential heavyweight title unification fight with Jon Jones.
Numerous MMA stars, including former champions Ilia Topuria and Alex Pereira, have come to London for UFC Fight Night: Edwards vs Brady.
Tom Aspinall is also expected to be present. Recently, the British fighter shared an intriguing two-word message after meeting with Hunter Campbell, a key advisor to Dana White.
- REVEALED: Tom Aspinall offers Jon Jones new tag team ‘babyface vs heels’ match that includes John Cena
Tom Aspinall Meets with Dana White’s Right-Hand Man
Earlier today, Tom Aspinall posted a photo on social media with his father, Andy Aspinall, and UFC matchmaker Hunter Campbell, who is also Dana White`s close advisor.
The interim heavyweight champion shared this image on Instagram with the caption “Stay Tuned,” accompanied by an eye and handshake emoji, set to the music of Coolio’s Gangster’s Paradise.
Hunter Campbell is considered a very influential person in the UFC, and it is assumed that his meeting with Aspinall was to discuss the terms for the title unification fight against Jon Jones.
Aspinall`s brief message follows Dana White`s statement that the title unification fight is very close to being finalized, pending the official signing and 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.”
Interestingly, while Aspinall was meeting with Hunter Campbell, his rival Jon Jones was in Miami starting his work with Dirty Boxing Championship – where Jones led an explicit chant directed at Aspinall.
- EXPLAINED: Jon Jones ‘likes to be a victim’ according to UFC legend who fought him for world title
Tom Aspinall’s Father Demands Jones Sign Contract or Vacate Title
Andy Aspinall, Tom Aspinall’s father, who is a significant part of his team, recently stated in an interview with Jamal Niaz that Jones should sign the contract or relinquish 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 believes that a key aspect of his father`s training approach distinguishes him from Jon Jones and other UFC heavyweight contenders.
“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 event in London. Perhaps we will learn more about his meeting with Hunter Campbell. Stay tuned as we follow the main news from the event.
Rupert Hartwell