Dana White is planning to get Tom Aspinall his first undisputed world heavyweight title fight within this year.
Fast growth of Brit Aspinall is for the best part of two years of interim champions and even defended his belt awaiting a decision about the future of Jon Jones. But with the news that Jones has now officially retired, he has been increased to the undisputed heavyweight champion.
It is expected that he is now confronted with top candidate Ciryl Gane, although nothing has been confirmed yet. Aspinall has vowed to be an active champion and insists after having fought Jones, just as soon as he will defend regularly.
Dana White offers timeline for the first undisputed title fight of Tom Aspinall
Dana White announced last night that Jon Jones would hang his gloves and choose to fight Tom Aspinall in a world win title. As such, the heavyweight belt is passed on to interim champion Aspinall that is now undisputed.
It is unclear when the Brit, which insists on a fight since his Quickfire wins Curtis Blaydes last summer, will fight. But White told the media including bloody elbow in a scrum today at Fanatics Fest in New York City that he expects it to be this year.
“We have to pick out the rest of the year,” White confirmed after being asked if he would stay on the date of November in Madison Square Garden who was overtaken for his fight with Jones. “But Aspinall will land somewhere, yes.”
Tom Aspinall promises to remain active as a UFC Heavyweight Champion
Aspinall quickly went to social media last night to send a message to fans about his plans now that he has the undisputed belt. He wants to hire all newcomers and has already done well to eliminate top candidates, including Sergei Pavlovich and Curtis Blaydes.
In addition to a photo of himself with his belt and a clip from White who made the news officer, he wrote on Instagram after the news was announced: “For your fans. It's time to get this heavyweight division going. An active undisputed champion.”
It is a welcome change for the division, which since March 2023 has only had one undisputed fight when Jones was confronted with Stipe Miocic on UFC 309. In fact, there were more interim fights when Aspinall won and in the meantime defended his belt.