There has been a significant stir in the world of MMA as Tom Aspinall claims he was banned from attending the recent UFC 309 press conference held in New York. This event primarily focused on the highly anticipated heavyweight title fight between champion Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic.
As the interim title holder, Aspinall’s absence was felt, especially when fans in attendance began to chant his name, demonstrating their support despite the event’s focus on the main fighters. You may find it interesting to note that Aspinall’s challenge has been a subject of contention between the two fighters. Jones has shown increasing irritation towards questions regarding Aspinall, leading to his explicit remarks concerning the British fighter.
Aspinall reported, “I asked to be at the press conference and I was told no. I was trying to go but I got blacklisted.” This statement underscores the growing tensions within the heavyweight division, particularly concerning Aspinall’s aspirations to unify his interim title with the undisputed title. UFC president Dana White has indicated that the winner of the Jones vs. Miocic bout should indeed face Aspinall next, yet Jones seems unconvinced of the match’s importance to his own legacy.
Earlier in the week, Jones responded to the ongoing chatter about Aspinall by sharply telling fans to “knock it off” when they began the chants during the press conference. It is evident that the pressure is mounting on Jones, who has walked out of a scheduled interview, reportedly due to his reluctance to discuss Aspinall further.
Your attention may also be drawn to the fact that Aspinall has previously stepped in at short notice, defeating Sergei Pavlovich for the interim title after an injury had sidelined Jones. Despite this achievement, the UFC has not scheduled a unification bout, opting instead to have Jones face the 42-year-old Miocic, raising questions about the promotion’s direction in the heavyweight division.
The growing animosity seems to be enveloping the heavyweight scene, with Aspinall attempting to entice a fight with Jones using a dose of humour, famously gifting Jones’s dog a rubber duck. However, the seriousness of the situation should not be overlooked, as Aspinall continues to express his desire to fight the winner of the UFC 309 main event. As of now, he has yet to receive a response from the UFC regarding his request.
As an avid fan of the sport, you should keep an eye on how this narrative unfolds. Will Jones finally consider facing Aspinall, or will the tensions continue to distract from the upcoming bout? The UFC 309 event promises not only a clash of titans but also adds a layer of intrigue with Aspinall’s aspirations and the ongoing saga of the heavyweight division.
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