Dana White, the UFC CEO, has officially confirmed that Tom Aspinall will serve as the backup fighter for the highly anticipated main event at UFC 309. This event is scheduled to take place on November 16 at the iconic Madison Square Garden in New York City.
White’s announcement indicates that Aspinall will be the first call made should anything prevent the heavyweight title clash between champion Jon Jones and challenger Stipe Miocic from proceeding as planned. “Yes,” White said when asked about Aspinall serving as backup. “Tom Aspinall is next in line for anything that happens after this fight.”
The upcoming bout between Jones and Miocic marks a significant moment in the heavyweight division, particularly because it has been awaited for over a year. Originally slated for UFC 295 in November 2023, the matchup was postponed due to an injury sustained by Jones. As a result, the heavyweight division has seen a degree of stagnation, with fans eager for resolution. In the interim period, Aspinall has solidified his status by winning the interim title, most recently defeating Serghei Pavlovich and then defending against Curtis Blaydes, both fights concluded in the opening minutes.
Although Jones has declared that his fight against Miocic may be his last, White expressed skepticism regarding this claim, suggesting that the opportunity for continued competition may still lie ahead for the champion. “Why speak to him after this [past weekend’s] event?” White remarked, indicating the need to assess the outcome of the upcoming fight before making any further plans. The promotional head has yet to discuss upcoming fights with Jones, preferring to focus on the immediate narrative surrounding UFC 309.
As the date approaches, the anticipation builds not only for the main event but also for Aspinall’s potential role as a backup fighter. Fans will undoubtedly be watching closely, given the implications such an arrangement has for the future of the heavyweight division and Aspinall’s standing within it. Overall, UFC 309 has become a focal point for discussions within the sport, with both the hyper-competitive nature of the heavyweight ranks and the promising talents of fighters like Aspinall attracting significant attention.
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