{"id":299141,"date":"2023-11-30T17:24:06","date_gmt":"2023-11-30T17:24:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/allmysportsnews.com\/?p=299141"},"modified":"2023-11-30T17:24:06","modified_gmt":"2023-11-30T17:24:06","slug":"tom-aspinall-sets-his-sights-on-becoming-an-undisputed-champion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/allmysportsnews.com\/mma\/tom-aspinall-sets-his-sights-on-becoming-an-undisputed-champion\/","title":{"rendered":"Tom Aspinall sets his sights on becoming an 'undisputed' champion"},"content":{"rendered":"
British UFC star Tom Aspinall has admitted that he has no interest in a boxing match while he waits for unify his interim heavyweight title.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Earlier this month, Aspinall became just the third British fighter ever to get their hands on a UFC title after defeating Sergei Pavlovich in the first round at UFC 295.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It was a momentous occasion for the 30-year-old, who took the fight on short notice following an injury to reigning heavyweight champion Jon Jones – who had been scheduled to headline the card against Stipe Miocic.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In the wake of his momentous victory, Aspinall has since called for a fight with either Jones and Miocic – despite UFC matchmakers suggesting that the two American stars will face-off against one another.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It’s an idea that the British champion isn’t fond of and one that could leave him in limbo for up to a year – as Jones looks to recover from a torn pectoral injury.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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British star Tom Aspinall claimed the UFC’s interim heavyweight title after beating Sergei Pavlovich (L) at UFC 295 earlier this month\u00a0<\/p>\n
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The 30-year-old has now claimed his only goal is to become the ‘undisputed’ heavyweight king<\/p>\n
When speaking exclusively to Mail Sport<\/span>, Aspinall admitted that he’s unsure what could be in store for him next within the UFC.\u00a0<\/p>\n Asked about whether the UFC had given any indication about his next bout, Aspinall said:\u00a0‘Zero at this point. I would love to be sat here today with big news. You know, everywhere I go, I get asked ‘Oh what’s next?’ I don’t know!<\/p>\n ‘And that’s the way it works, unfortunately. You don’t get given a date and you don’t get give him a name for quite some time after you fight.\u00a0<\/p>\n ‘Sometimes you do, sometimes you don’t. But in this instance right now, I know nothing’.<\/p>\n Rumours had circulated that Aspinall – who has previously trained with heavyweight king Tyson Fury – would be open to stepping inside the boxing ring while he awaits a unification bout.\u00a0<\/p>\n Aspinall and Fury were sparring partners during the start of Fury’s comeback in 2018 before linking back up when the Gypsy King took on Francis Ngannou last month.\u00a0<\/p>\n However, when pressed on the matter again, the Mancunian distanced himself from the idea and suggested that ‘headlines’ got ‘messed up’ during that week.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n When asked whether he was genuinely intending to step into the boxing ring, Aspinall said:\u00a0‘No, it’s not serious. See, this is where headlines and actual interviews get messed up a little bit.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The interim heavyweight champion insisted he’s been given no indication over his next fight<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Aspinall has been a long-term training partner for British heavyweight boxer Tyson Fury (R)\u00a0<\/p>\n ‘If you watch the interview when I was talking about the boxing thing, somebody just asked me would you be interested in boxing? Like, in the meantime.\u00a0<\/p>\n ‘I was like ‘Yeah, I guess’. That’s all I said on it! It wasn’t like I wasn’t coming out saying ‘I want to box now’ because I’m not going to box.\u00a0<\/p>\n ‘I’ve got so much work to do in the UFC and I don’t want to be one of these fighters who thinks I’ve done enough work because I’ve got a title.<\/p>\n ‘I want to fight for the undisputed title is what I want to do. That’s my goal. And I want to fight a couple of these legends before they retire.\u00a0<\/p>\n ‘Mate, I’ve got so much work to do over the next… however long, before I even thinking about boxing. So right now, I’m definitely not trying to box.\u00a0<\/p>\n ‘Do I want to box before the end of my career? Probably but, if I don’t, I’m alright with that as well’.\u00a0<\/p>\n As mentioned earlier, reigning UFC heavyweight champion Jones is set to be sidelined until mid-2024 with his pectoral injury.\u00a0<\/p>\n And, with the UFC unlikely to strip the legendary fighter of his heavyweight title, it leaves Aspinall in a difficult position.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Aspinall took the fight\u00a0on two-and-a-half-weeks notice and delivered an incredible knockout<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Jones was originally scheduled to headline the UFC 295 before suffering an injury to his pec<\/p>\n While he suggested he could spend that time ‘improving’, he also admitted he’s unsure as to what else he can do to fill the time.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n ‘I’ve got a lot to improve on but I don’t know. I’m the kind of guy who needs something to focus on.\u00a0<\/p>\n ‘And I wouldn’t really want to go a year without fighting. Like, it’s not really my thing. Like, I’m a fighter – this is how I make money!\u00a0<\/p>\n ‘This is how I provide for my family. This is what I enjoy. So I don’t know is the honest answer. I would love to sit here and tell you. But I honestly don’t know’.\u00a0<\/p>\n