Tom Aspinall Reveals UFC’s Original Plans Ahead of Potential Jon Jones Retirement

Tom Aspinall says his upcoming title shot was just what he expected, and the only surprise was its timing.

Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight contender Aspinall (13-3) recently received an early morning phone call from the promotion asking if he was ready to fight on two weeks’ notice. A day later Aspinall was booked to take on Sergei Pavlovich (18-1) for the interim title in the co-main event at UFC 295 on Nov. 11 in Madison Square Garden.

The card was originally scheduled to be headlined by Jon Jones defending his strap against heavyweight legend Stipe Miocic. However, the bout fell through as Miocic reportedly refused to accept a change in opponent after Jones was forced out due to a pectoral injury.

Two of the fastest-rising forces in the heavyweight division, Aspinall and Pavlovich have been on a collision course for a while now. Moreover, Aspinall recently revealed that a clash against the Russian, potentially for the vacant title, was on the cards even prior to Jones’ injury.

Jones had hinted that he might hang up his gloves after the fight against Miocic, who also doesn’t seem keen on any other matchup. According to Aspinall, the UFC was open to the idea of both veterans retiring after UFC 295, which would have left the heavyweight throne vacant. The Englishman claims he would have been booked against Pavlovich for the vacant title early next year.

The 30-year-old discussed the UFC’s quiet planning in an appearance this week on “The MMA Hour.”

“I guess I can speak about it now, really. I was sworn to secrecy a little bit. The original plan was, obviously, them two guys were going to fight, and Sergei was going to be the backup. I think they were under the impression that both guys are going to retire afterward, and they were going to see how that played out a little bit.”

“If they were both going to retire, then I was going to fight Pavlovich for the vacant title anyway. Like early next year... It was just a big waiting game for me.”