Tom Aspinall is no stranger to being sidelined from competition. However, his current situation presents a different challenge: there`s no clear timeline for when he might step back into the octagon.
His only UFC defeat came on July 23, 2022. Just fifteen seconds into his main event bout against Curtis Blaydes in London, Aspinall suffered a severe knee injury. This setback temporarily halted his rapid ascent through the heavyweight ranks. It took almost exactly one year before he made a triumphant return, dispatching Marcin Tybura with a 73-second knockout. In his very next fight, Aspinall defeated Sergei Pavlovich even faster to secure the interim heavyweight title.
Since claiming the interim belt, Aspinall successfully defended it by avenging his loss to Blaydes last July. He has consistently expressed his desire to face the undisputed champion, Jon Jones. Jones, a former light heavyweight king, captured the vacant heavyweight title by beating Ciryl Gane after Francis Ngannou`s departure from the UFC. Jones was subsequently scheduled to face Stipe Miocic, a bout originally postponed by a year due to an injury sustained by Jones.
Speaking on Demetrious Johnson`s podcast, the MightyCast, Aspinall contrasted his current waiting period with his previous year-long recovery from injury.
Aspinall reflected on the injury period, stating it was “a bit of a crossroads really” after making some money and buying a house, questioning whether to continue. Getting injured publicly was “obviously devastating,” making it “a tough time.” The year-long rehab for his knee, including physiotherapy, involved a “tough couple of months mentally.” However, once he could get back into the gym and work, things improved significantly.
Once I started working towards getting back, I’d see the doctor, I’d see the physio, they’d be like, ‘In two weeks, this is what I want you doing in the gym… I always had a little goal to work towards.’
He felt immediate motivation upon returning to training.
So after a couple of months of being sat on the couch, as soon as I could get in the gym and start working towards different things, it was great and I felt good, I was like, ‘I definitely want to come back. Now I’m going to go… I’m going to win the heavyweight championship…’ and all that stuff, I felt great about it. And I was on my recovery path to getting back.
While Aspinall knew recovering from injuries to his MCL and meniscus would be a lengthy process, that path was clearly marked with tangible benchmarks and goals. In stark contrast, his wait for Jon Jones has stretched on for over a year, defying the logical expectation that the undisputed champion would eventually face the interim belt holder in a unification bout.
This anticipated matchup has not yet materialized.
Now, I’ve been almost a year inactive with no prospects of anything apart from wait.
Aspinall stated, finding it “actually a bit more of a tricky time for me mentally than it was then.” He explained that during his injury layoff, even though people asked about his recovery, he felt okay because doctors and therapists gave him concrete short-term goals, such as specific exercises in two weeks or being cleared to grapple in two months.
I constantly had little goals to work towards. Whereas now it’s just like, ‘Just be ready and we’ll just let you know.’
The uncertainty makes maintaining focus difficult.
It’s kind of difficult mentally, but this is the fight against Jon Jones. The fight is another thing, this is the tricky bit where I really have to stay switched on, stay motivated, and I’m trying my best. It’s tough sometimes.
One point Aspinall has consistently made is that he doesn`t fault Jones if his reluctance to fight is primarily motivated by financial concerns, especially given that the decorated former light heavyweight champion is likely nearing the end of his career.
Regardless of how the situation ultimately resolves, he expressed hope that it will result in him holding the undisputed heavyweight championship belt.
Reflecting on the situation with Jones, Aspinall said:
I honestly can see Jon’s point of view… I get it… It’s just about the title for me. I just want the title, that’s it. Nothing else really matters… I just want to prove I’m the best, that’s all.
He reiterated that while he understands Jones`s perspective and the factors at play, his sole motivation remains winning the undisputed title and proving himself as the division`s best.
