As the highly anticipated Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic fight approaches, questions loom over what this clash means for Tom Aspinall and his status as the interim heavyweight champion. Aspinall, currently holding the interim title, seems to be on a mission to ensure he’s not overlooked, planning to create a buzz and “cause a few scenes” in ‘The Big Apple’ in the lead-up to UFC 309. The Brit, known for his unorthodox training methods, has his eyes set on a title shot against the winner of Jones vs. Miocic, though he feels sidelined by both fighters as they prepare for their showdown.

In a recent YouTube video, Aspinall outlined his plan: “Turn up, do some media, cause a few scenes here and there, and try to make the winner stick around and fight me. Just see what happens. I’m interested in how both guys look in the fight; that’s interesting for me.” His goal is clear—force himself into the conversation for the undisputed heavyweight title.

However, UFC analyst Chael Sonnen isn’t convinced that Aspinall’s media antics will get him the shot he wants. In his video response, Sonnen raised an important point about the interim title’s relevance: “Is Tom Aspinall aware that when he comes out with that [interim] belt for any interviews that he does moving forward, the moment that bell rings, whoever is opposite is no longer the champion? The fans and media think if Stipe beats Jones, there’s a new champ. But the reality is, the interim belt fades the second Jones and Miocic face off.”

Sonnen’s comments underscore the reality Aspinall might face—once Jones and Miocic fight, the interim title may lose significance. Fans will have to wait and see if his gambit pays off or if Sonnen’s prediction rings true, leaving Aspinall to continue waiting for his turn at the undisputed title.

Sonnen further clarified the implications for Aspinall if Stipe Miocic manages to defeat Jon Jones. However, if Miocic then retires immediately afterward, Aspinall’s interim title wouldn’t automatically elevate him to undisputed champion, as an interim champion can only exist in the absence of an active, undisputed champion.

Aspinall, though, remains unfazed by these potential complications. He shared in his video that he’s excited to witness Jones and Miocic in action up close, saying, “I want to go up close and see what these guys look like in live action. How are they moving? What are they doing? You can see little differences in real life [more] than you can on the TV. I’m looking forward to that.”

The path forward for Aspinall is murky. He’d likely need to compete for the vacant title, creating a scenario where his future rests on forces beyond his control.

Tom Aspinall is stirring the pot to remain in the title conversation

In a recent interview on the VechtersBazen podcast, 31-year-old Tom Aspinall shared his thoughts on the state of the heavyweight title, calling Jon Jones’ status as undisputed champion into question. “I think Jon Jones is like the paper champ, in my opinion,” he stated, underscoring his belief that a true champion should defend the title actively.

“Usually, the interim champ is just waiting for the undisputed champ,” Aspinall continued. “But when the undisputed champ is kind of avoiding the fight with the interim champ, and the interim champ is defending, I think it’s difficult to say right now that I’m not the best in the world.” Despite his strong words, Aspinall clarified that his remarks weren’t meant to discredit Jones’ legacy but rather to highlight the Brit’s accomplishments in the heavyweight division.

Aspinall emphasized that he simply wants the MMA community to acknowledge his impact and contributions to the sport. He’s open to facing any top contender the UFC selects for his next title defense, showing his willingness to prove himself further in the octagon. Still, the question lingers: will Aspinall ever get the chance to unify the title against Jones? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.