Jon Jones: The Heavyweight Champion of the UFC has a slew of contenders clamoring to dethrone the future Hall of Famer.

 By Dustin Schlagel

Tom Aspinall has finished 11 total opponents by knockout, making for a 79% knockout rate in his career. (UFC)

LAS VEGAS (March. 28, 2024) – Following a unanimous decision win for the Light Heavyweight Championship against Dominic Reyes (12-4) at UFC 247 in 2020, Jon Jones (27-1) relinquished his title and took a three-year hiatus from fighting. Last March at UFC 285, Jones won the Heavyweight Championship by submitting Ciryl Gane (12-2) in his first Heavyweight fight ever.

 

The first-round finish added to one of many title fight wins in the New York native’s career. With the early first-round submission against Gane, Jones extended his title fight win total to 15, a UFC record. Jones's first Heavyweight Title defense was set to be against Sipe Miocic at UFC 295 in November but was called off due to Jones suffering a torn pectoral tendon during training.

 

With Jones recovering from that injury, a new date for a Miocic and Jones Championship fight is yet to be announced. However, with retirement in sight for the 41-year-old Miocic, could another contender for the top spot in the division be on the horizon?

 

Tom Aspinall

 

 

In light of Jones’ injury, Tom Aspinall (14-3) and Sergei Pavlovich (18-2) stepped in last minute for an Interim Heavyweight Championship fight at UFC 295. That fight ended in just over a minute, with the English boxer Aspinall knocking out Pavlovich with a barrage of strikes.

 

Since winning the Interim title, 30-year-old Aspinall has opened the discussion about defending against Curtis Blaydes (18-4) who he lost to in 2022 after

suffering a first-round knee injury. However, the Interim champion has been vocal in the past about wanting to fight Jones.

 

“I think we should do Tom Aspinall vs. Jon Jones in Manchester,” said Aspinall in a post-fight press conference after UFC 295. “That is something special, and I’m sure the UFC are going to be on board with that.”

With Aspinall holding the Interim Championship, it’s more than likely that he will eventually fight for the Heavyweight Championship as long as he can hold on to the Interim Title. However, with the Jones and Stipe fight still in question, Aspinall could make a push to unify the belt much sooner than anticipated.

 

Regardless of who becomes the next opponent for 36-year-old Jones, the competition will be steep for the two-division champion coming fresh off an injury.