Jon Jones was scheduled to defend his UFC Heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic at UFC 295 on November 11, 2023. However, the scheduled fight was canceled and postponed just weeks ago because Jones suffered a pectoral tendon injury. Instead, an interim UFC Heavyweight title match was set up between Sergei Pavlovich and Tom Aspinall. It is reported that the winner of Pavlovich vs Aspinall will face the winner of Jones vs Miocic for the undisputed title.
Jones has received flak from many fans for not vacating the title even though he knows he might be out of action for a while. Jiri Prochazka and Jamahal Hill are prime recent examples of fighters vacating their titles due to injuries. However, Jones has decided against it. He will fight and defend his title against Miocic whenever he gets back into action.
The Russian fighter, Pavlovich, was asked about his views on Jones not vacating his title. He claimed that, for him, this interim title was the actual title. On UFC 295 media duty he said, through a translator, “You know, for me, this is the legit title.”
The reporter mentioned that he had asked Pavlovich’s opponent Aspinall a similar question. Let’s find out what was Aspinall’s response.
Tom Aspinall is not bothered about Jon Jones’ decision to not vacate the title
When it was Aspinall’s turn to opine about Jones’ decision to not vacate his title, the Brit said it did not bother him too much. “I’m just fine with the interim,” Aspinall said during UFC 295 media day, according to Daily Mail.
“I’m not too bothered about it. It will all work itself out, I’m sure. Jon Jones is obviously one of the best to ever do it. I would love to share the octagon with him one day. I’ve got a lot of respect for him. Absolutely love his game. Massive fan of his… As far as if it’s for the interim title or the vacant title, it doesn’t really bother me too much.”
Tom Aspinall vs Sergei Pavlovich
WHO WINS? pic.twitter.com/nZo4K2o39r— 𝙍𝙪𝙚𝙗𝙚𝙣 𝘾𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙚𝙧 🥇 (@realruebenking) November 1, 2023
Since his first-ever pro-MMA loss against Alistair Overeem on his UFC debut, Pavlovich has not lost a fight. Moreover, he has won all the fights following his UFC debut with a first-round stoppage. He would be hoping to pull off something similar against Aspinall.
On the other hand, Aspinall made his comeback this year from a brutal knee injury that made him contemplate retirement. He suffered the injury against Curtis Blaydes in July 2022. In his comeback fight against Marcin Tybura in July 2023, he defeated Tybura via first-round TKO. We are in for a strong fight for the interim Heavyweight title at UFC 295.