Tom Aspinall ignores Jon Jones and Poatan and plans to fight the winner of Volkov vs. Malhadinho in the UFC

Aspinall backstage at the UFC. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram/UFC

Tom aspinall is ready to start his era in the heavyweight division (up to 120,2 kg). This Saturday (25), in Abu Dhabi (UAE), the Englishman will put the category belt on the line for the first time against Cyryl Gane in the main fight of UFC 321 And he's already thinking ahead. Excited about his future, the champion, when questioned by a journalist about his next commitment with the company, surprised everyone.

Aspinall didn't sit on the fence and, if he confirms his favoritism in the octagon against the Frenchman, he ignored the possibility of facing Jon Jones ou Alex Poatán, stars of the company. According to the champion, the trend is for the UFC to give the winner of the fight between Alexander Volkov e Jailton Malhadinho the chance to challenge for the heavyweight title.

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It's worth noting that Jones, who refused to face Aspinall, decided to relinquish his linear division title and announced his retirement from MMA in June. The following month, the American announced his decision to return to competition, aiming to join UFC Casa Branca in June 2026. Meanwhile, Poatan, the light heavyweight champion (up to 93 kg), reiterated his desire to move up a weight class and challenged 'Bones' to a duel in Donald Trump's backyard. In any case, the Englishman has already stated that he will accept any fight the company proposes.

“I don’t know what the UFC wants to do. I think it’s pretty obvious that the UFC is going to pit winner against winner. Me and Gane against Volkov and Malhadinho. The winner of our fight against the winner of theirs. I think that will be the next fight for the heavyweight belt,” said the champion at the ‘media day’ of UFC 321, held last Wednesday (22).

Aspinall's notable UFC victories

In the UFC since 2020, Tom aspinall impresses in the octagon. The Englishman has fought nine fights for the company and won eight times. His main victories were over Alexander Volkov, Andrei Arlovski, Curtis blaydes, Marcin tybura, Sergei Pavlovich e Serghei Spivac.