What's next for Tom Aspinall?

By Ryan Mullen

Interim heavyweight champion, Tom Aspinall (Image: Getty Images)

Following his recent first-round knockout of Sergei Pavlovich in the co-main event of UFC 295, British fighter Tom Aspinall has been given the interim title. He is now the top-ranked heavyweight after Jon Jones, the champion, who is currently on injury leave. The question on the minds of fight fans is what’s next for Tom Aspinall? Before the fight, Aspinall was ranked fourth: A good spot, but not one many people are gunning for. Now that he holds the interim title, he has a target on his back.

For those unfamiliar with the new interim champion, Tom Aspinall is a 30-year-old fighter from Salford, England. He has only a single loss in the UFC, which was due to a knee injury and not getting knocked out. He has a streak of knockouts that even at heavyweight is impressive, and a skill for grappling that puts him up there with the best. He is one of the most complete fighters in the 265-pound weight class, and the fans are excited to see where he goes next.

The first fight everyone’s mind is on is unanimously agreed heavyweight ‘GOAT’ (greatest of all-time), Jon “Bones” Jones. Everyone wants to see how the up-and-comer will perform against the heavyweight Boogeyman. Stylistically, Aspinall poses a threat, but Jones’ legacy in the sport makes most fans disregard the possibility of him losing on his merit alone. Despite everyone thinking the outcome is determined, Jones is old in fighter years, and lots of new fans think that Aspinall has a chance. But in a fight surrounded by uncertainties, there’s one sure thing about a Jones-Aspinall bout. It’ll pull in a lot of viewers and money. The two are some of the most talked about athletes in the sport. With Aspinall coming in off a first-round knockout upset and Jones, being widely considered the heavyweight ‘GOAT’, the proposed bout could become one of the most viewed sporting events of the decade.

Arguably UFC’s best-ever heavyweight, Jon Jones (Image: Getty Images)

Another name being tossed around for Aspinall’s next fight is fifth-ranked heavyweight, Curtis “Razor” Blaydes. He has been in the division since 2016 and is Aspinall’s single loss in the UFC. In the first round of his bout with Blaydes at UFC London in July of last year, Aspinall suffered a devastating knee injury, resulting in a stoppage. He bounced back this year by going on a two-fight finish streak and claiming the interim belt for himself. Due to his position in the top five at heavyweight, Blaydes has the opportunity to challenge for the interim belt. His match with Aspinall is a very marketable fight, and quite possibly the best fight to make. Fans would be interested to see where the fight goes. Blaydes initially turned down the idea of a rematch. But with the belt as an incentive, the heavyweight rank five may rethink that decision.

Could “Razor” Blades fight Aspinall again? (Image: Getty Images)

Cyril “Bon Gamin” Gane also has had his eyes on the title. With his losses to Francis Ngannou and Jon Jones, the former first-ranked heavyweight could shoot his shot against the newly inaugurated Interim champion. Gane is one of the most technical strikers at 265, and possibly the only one to match the speed Aspinall has. Where Gane excels in striking, his ground game doesn’t match up to it. Both his title opponents won on their wrestling, Jones by a first-round guillotine submission, and Ngannou by superior control time and landing 4 takedowns on Gane. Aspinall is a black belt and has his base in martial arts in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, so Aspinall v Gane would likely end in the same way as one of these two bouts.

Aspinall vs Gane could be a memorable fight if it happens (Image: Getty Images)

The final fight fans want to see is Almeida V Aspinall. Jailton Almeida, the seventh-ranked Heavyweight, put on a show against division veteran Derrick Lewis, controlling him on the ground for 21 minutes out of their 25-minute bout. Overall, he is likely the new champion's biggest threat besides Jones, and possibly his only match on the ground as well.

Almeida V Aspinall has the makings of a brilliant bout (Image: Getty Images)

One thing certainly in the cards for Aspinall is that he’s going to become one of the most exciting fighters at Heavyweight. He has the lowest fight time currently, showing not only his knockout power but also his grappling. All of his fights have ended with him finishing his opponent, either by a choke or submission or by knockout. He’s considered by many- including UFC Hall-of-Famer Michael Bisping to be the future of the Heavyweight division.

Bisping said: “I believe he will be the greatest Heavyweight this sport has ever seen.

“(He) will go on this legendary run, and win fights just like Georges(George St.Pierre, hall-of-famer).”

In the UFC, Bisping is known to be extremely fickle with his praise, so seeing and hearing him be so supportive of Aspinall has strongly swayed the fans' support in his direction.

Aspinall has the potential to upend the world of MMA by defeating all of his top competition at Heavyweight and cement himself as a hall-of-famer. He’s got options, and the fans are hoping to see another performance from him soon.