It’s been quite a while since the English fighter Tom Aspinall was last seen in the Octagon. Bringing his MMA record to 15-3-0, Aspinall’s previous match was against Curtis Blaydes, where he successfully defended his heavyweight interim title. With Jon Jones returning to the Octagon and claiming the heavyweight title, the MMA community has started speculating about a title unification bout within the heavyweight division of the UFC . However, with no official announcement for quite a while now, Aspinall and his father, Andy have joined the league of frustrated fans while waiting for the confirmation. Andy expressed discontent towards UFC and its executives, including Dana White for the delayed announcement.
Interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall awaits for a title unification bout against heavyweight champion Jon JonesTom Aspinall has been training hard, without a definitive date for stepping into the Octagon. Not just the date, but even the opponent’s name has been doing the rounds in speculation. While UFC boss Dana White has confirmed that a bout between Aspinall and heavyweight champion Jon Jones is imminent, however, a lack of official announcement has not just had the fans restless but also invoked a raging opinion from the fighter’s father, Andy.
Andy, being the head trainer of Aspinall, expressed his disappointment in a recent video on the fighter’s official YouTube channel. The discontent not only stems from the fact that Aspinall has been training blind without a date being fixed but also from the fact that the head coach gets paid according to the bouts fought by the fighter. Aspinall hasn’t fought anyone since July 2024, and the wait is affecting both the fighter and his father, as a head coach, financially.
In the recent video, when Andy was asked about his opinion on the long wait, the trainer’s response was filled with frustration and rage.
“It’s just a massive pain in the a** really. Tom is just staying fit, really. We’re putting different things into his game and everybody’s game that comes, but it would be really nice because he’s a fighter if he could have a fight.” he continued to add, “He’s had three fights that have lasted a minute a piece his last three fights. It is what it is but we could do with more fights. It’s nice to train for somebody, but otherwise you just go to the gym and train, you like to go with a purpose.”
Aspinall’s father further explained the issue of payment, “Also, this is his living and you need to be making money from your living. Especially when you’re fit and healthy rather than sitting on your a** every day and just turning up for training all the time. In terms of purely as a coach I’m not getting paid because Tom’s not getting paid. It’s not just about money, it’s about ‘do you want your fighters to have fights when they’re fit to fight? He’s not having fights and it’s frustrating but what do you do?”
Andy doesn’t necessarily believe that his son needs to fight Jones for his next bout. Being a fighter, who is training almost regularly, Aspinall, at this point, just needs a worthy opponent, even if it is not Jones. Andy commented on the very blockage that has been created by UFC in letting Aspinall announce his next bout.
“It’s stupid. I have no idea the reason why the UFC don’t want Tom to fight anybody else other than Jon Jones. ‘Stay tuned.’ That’s the message they wanted Tom to give out to people… we’re in April now, still waiting for Jon to say ‘I’ll have a fight’ or ‘I’ll not have a fight’. I don’t really understand that. He’s a fighter who should be having fights. Why’s Jon still sat around not giving an answer as to whether he’s gonna fight or not?”
Also read: "None of it is true" – Dricus du Plessis clears the air on injury rumors
UFC boss Dana White, in his recent post-fight interview of UFC Kansas City on April 26, 2025, did assure the MMA fans about a potential title unification bout between Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall. All that the fans can do now is to wait until an official announcement is made.
Interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall awaits for a title unification bout against heavyweight champion Jon JonesTom Aspinall has been training hard, without a definitive date for stepping into the Octagon. Not just the date, but even the opponent’s name has been doing the rounds in speculation. While UFC boss Dana White has confirmed that a bout between Aspinall and heavyweight champion Jon Jones is imminent, however, a lack of official announcement has not just had the fans restless but also invoked a raging opinion from the fighter’s father, Andy.
Andy, being the head trainer of Aspinall, expressed his disappointment in a recent video on the fighter’s official YouTube channel. The discontent not only stems from the fact that Aspinall has been training blind without a date being fixed but also from the fact that the head coach gets paid according to the bouts fought by the fighter. Aspinall hasn’t fought anyone since July 2024, and the wait is affecting both the fighter and his father, as a head coach, financially.
In the recent video, when Andy was asked about his opinion on the long wait, the trainer’s response was filled with frustration and rage.
“It’s just a massive pain in the a** really. Tom is just staying fit, really. We’re putting different things into his game and everybody’s game that comes, but it would be really nice because he’s a fighter if he could have a fight.” he continued to add, “He’s had three fights that have lasted a minute a piece his last three fights. It is what it is but we could do with more fights. It’s nice to train for somebody, but otherwise you just go to the gym and train, you like to go with a purpose.”
Aspinall’s father further explained the issue of payment, “Also, this is his living and you need to be making money from your living. Especially when you’re fit and healthy rather than sitting on your a** every day and just turning up for training all the time. In terms of purely as a coach I’m not getting paid because Tom’s not getting paid. It’s not just about money, it’s about ‘do you want your fighters to have fights when they’re fit to fight? He’s not having fights and it’s frustrating but what do you do?”
Andy doesn’t necessarily believe that his son needs to fight Jones for his next bout. Being a fighter, who is training almost regularly, Aspinall, at this point, just needs a worthy opponent, even if it is not Jones. Andy commented on the very blockage that has been created by UFC in letting Aspinall announce his next bout.
“It’s stupid. I have no idea the reason why the UFC don’t want Tom to fight anybody else other than Jon Jones. ‘Stay tuned.’ That’s the message they wanted Tom to give out to people… we’re in April now, still waiting for Jon to say ‘I’ll have a fight’ or ‘I’ll not have a fight’. I don’t really understand that. He’s a fighter who should be having fights. Why’s Jon still sat around not giving an answer as to whether he’s gonna fight or not?”
Also read: "None of it is true" – Dricus du Plessis clears the air on injury rumors
UFC boss Dana White, in his recent post-fight interview of UFC Kansas City on April 26, 2025, did assure the MMA fans about a potential title unification bout between Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall. All that the fans can do now is to wait until an official announcement is made.
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