When exactly would Aspinal even fight Jones (or Stipe)?

[Söze Aldo]

It's still July right now, Jones and Stipe are not fighting each other until November of this year. Whoever wins there is a chance they will retire even if they don't, you think Jones is fighting Tom in December? It would probably be next March or even June depending on what kind of delays are certain to come up for him.

So is Tom really fighting next in 2025 and only once in 2024 when he's in his absolute prime and only just fought about a minute in the cage? This situation is actually messier now, now that Tom successfully defended his interim.

 

[Prex32]

its just for buzz
jones isnt fighting anytime soon, if any

 

[forsh]

I'm watching a video Michael Bisping put up on YouTube and in that video he said that Aspinall will be the backup fighter for Jones/Stipe.

 

[OldBoy91]

He'll be the backup fighter for their fight in November.

So he will fight whoever is left if one of them pulls out, unless whoever that is refuses.

Tom said he's happy to fight either guy or be handed the undisputed belt upon their double retirement.

He's earned waiting it out imo. He's fought 3 times since Jones won the HW belt. Won and defended an interim belt in that time.

 

[Substance Abuse]

Jones will never fight Aspinall.

 

[Söze Aldo]

He'll be the backup fighter for their fight in November.

So he will fight whoever is left if one of them pulls out, unless whoever that is refuses.

Tom said he's happy to fight either guy or be handed the undisputed belt upon their double retirement.

He's earned waiting it out imo. He's fought 3 times since Jones won the HW belt. Won and defended an interim belt in that time.

I actually believe Stipe admitted he's only looking to fight Jon and nobody else at this point in his career. Either way, I agree he's earned a waiting out period, it's just sad someone who wants to fight and is in their prime has to wait anything out.

If neither of them pulls out in November, fighting a single 1 minute fight in all of 2024 is a let down for Tom and the fans.

 

[AmbassadorFright]

November where Jones vs Miocic is said to happening anyway. Tom took 0 damage and would be ready by then

 

[Söze Aldo]

November where Jones vs Miocic is said to happening anyway. Tom took 0 damage and would be ready by then

Ready to fight who in November? He's just a back-up, yeah it's possible Jon or Stipe pull out but it's far from a guarantee they will. Whoever wins then unless they guarantee they are retiring right that instance, will just hold up things further into 2025 trying to stretch out a fight date for the unification.

 

[StrikerKing]

I still don't get why Stipe even gets a title shot. He has been out for years, is coming off a KO loss, and has no wins against ANY active heavyweight. To top it off, he has already stated he won't defend the belt if he wins. What a cluster fuck that could easily be avoided by nor doing the stupid JJ/Stipe fight. If Stipe or Jon wants a legacy retirement fight, sure let them, but not at the cost of holding up the entire division.