The UFC is expected to announce Jon Jones vs Stipe Miocic for the undisputed heavyweight title within the next few weeks, with one prevailing theory being that the enormous title clash could be revealed at this weekend’s equally enormous PPV at The Sphere.
It would certainly make sense for the promotion to announce the undisputed title fight at UFC 306 this coming weekend, with interim champion Tom Aspinall coincidentally offering an update as to how the heavyweight title picture could play out from September 14 onwards.
Former champ thinks the UFC could announce Jones vs Miocic this weekend
With the UFC suspiciously dragging their heels on the announcement of Jon Jones’ next fight, former featherweight king Alexander Volkanovski believes that the undisputed title clash could be revealed as soon as this Saturday when the promotion touches down at The Sphere.
“I’m interested to see what it’s going to be like,” said Volkanovski on the PPV event taking place at the one-of-a-kind arena: “I think in between fights, it’s going to be some incredible ramp-ups to the fights and hype videos.”
Yet Volkanovski also believes that given how they will have a 160,000-square-foot LED screen at their disposal, the UFC could take this opportunity to finally announce Jones vs Stipe Miocic.
“You’re going to have the hype videos and all that, everything that they do, whether they’re talking about the next event – I think it’s going to be Jon Jones, they’re probably going to announce that and make that a spectacular hype video. I think they’re going to go all out.”
Tom Aspinall offers update on potential backup spot for Jones vs Miocic
Whilst we’ll wait to see whether Alexander Volkanovski’s prediction for this weekend rings true, the speculation within the MMA community is that Jones will defend his undisputed title on the November PPV at Madison Square Garden.
Despite earning the right to fight for undisputed glory himself, interim champion Tom Aspinall has also now confirmed that he’ll be fit and healthy should either Jones or Miocic fail to turn up at MSG.
“It’s been all good but we’re back to it now,” Aspinall shared on the latest episode of Fight Lab, offering a wry smile as he teased how he’s “Just trying to get a fight mate.
“I just want my chance to fight for the undisputed title. Of course, that’s the next natural progression [from interim] and also, it’s a dream fight for me so obviously I’m going to push for it.”
Despite Aspinall’s spot as the backup fighter not yet being officially confirmed by Dana White or any other member of the UFC brass, the 31-year-old stated that he’s now in training for a potential return to the octagon in November.
“We’re still waiting and still training with that in mind; as far as I am concerned, I am training to fight potentially in November so no matter what happens, I’ll be fit and ready to go in November.
“No confirmation of the fight yet, no confirmation if I am the backup fighter yet – they did tell me that after my last fight [against Curtis Blaydes] – the heavyweight title fight between Stipe and Jon Jones isn’t official yet so [we’re] still waiting.”
Later in the program, Aspinall was asked why he thinks Jon Jones is ‘scared of him’, a rather loaded question to say the least, but an interesting one nonetheless: “Because he wants the easy fight in Stipe, [at least] for now.”
Yet between all the insults and social media posts trolling one another, Aspinall believes that he’s slowly getting under Jon Jones’ skin – something that could pay dividends when it comes to negotiating a future fight against the consensus GOAT.
“But I have the faith, I have the faith, and I think Jon’s getting a bit ticked off with me at the minute, which is my intention… I’m trying to test his ego to see if he’ll be like ‘Right, actually I’m going to show you’.
“That’s what I’m working on at the moment and it does seem like Jon’s getting a little bit fuming with me, so it would be nice if he could continue that… He might be trolling everybody, who knows?”
Fingers crossed that both the undisputed title fight is announced soon and that Tom Aspinall can be quickly confirmed as the backup fighter for the November PPV – a reminder that UFC 306 goes down this weekend from Las Vegas.
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