UFC commentator Daniel Cormier wants to see Tom Aspinall defend his interim heavyweight gold.
The British heavyweight has famously been out of the cage since an interim heavyweight title bout last November. Following Jon Jones’s withdrawal against Stipe Miocic, the promotion scrambled to book Tom Aspinall against Sergei Pavlovich. They put an interim title on the line, as ‘Bones’ was expected to be out of action for quite a while.
Ultimately, Tom Aspinall won the title with ease, winning by first-round knockout. Many, including Daniel Cormier, called for the British fighter to face Jon Jones next. However, the undisputed heavyweight titleholder refused to move on from his scrapped bout against Stipe Miocic.
As of now, Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic is expected for late this year. But, no fight date is known, mainly thanks to the recovery of Jon Jones. With ‘Bones’ on the shelf, Tom Aspinall has repeatedly called to defend his interim title. He even pitched a fight against the winner of Jailton Almeida vs. Curtis Blaydes, going down in March. As of now, Dana White has failed to book Aspinall’s first defense.
However, Daniel Cormier likes the sound of that title defense talk. Speaking on a recent edition of his DC and RC podcast alongside Ryan Clark, the commentator discussed Tom Aspinall’s recent comments. There, the analyst admitted that he loves the idea of the British fighter staying active and competing.
Nobody has defended an interim championship since Renan Barao, but it seems that Aspinall could soon end that.
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Daniel Cormier calls for Tom Aspinall to defend UFC interim heavyweight championship
“I tap in because I get to watch him fight.” Daniel Cormier answered a question on the DC and RC podcast on whether he wants to see Tom Aspinall defend his interim heavyweight title in the absence of Jon Jones. “I mean, we have not seen someone defend an interim championship since Renan Barao did. Way back in the day.”
He continued, “Interim championships don’t generally get defended. But, I love the idea that this kid doesn’t want to just sit on the sidelines and waste away without a fight. So I tap in, yeah. Defend that thing!”
While Tom Aspinall could defend his interim heavyweight title, who the Brit will face is currently unknown. However, he has recently revealed that he was offered a fight against Stipe Miocic, at UFC 300 in April. The two would’ve served as the main event of the milestone card.
However, Miocic rejected the fight, instead electing to wait for Jon Jones. Funnily enough, ‘Bones’ was also offered the chance to fight at UFC 300, but was forced to reject the offer due to a pec injury. Due to that injury, it seems that the heavyweight division has come to a standstill.
What do you make of these comments from Daniel Cormier? Do you want to see Tom Aspinall defend his UFC interim heavyweight title?
