Tom Aspinall’s Quick Rise in UFC
In the past two years, Tom Aspinall has achieved an outstanding 3-0 record, spending merely 3 minutes and 22 seconds in the octagon, due to a series of swift first-round victories.
Awaiting His Next Challenge
Aspinall is currently waiting on his next fight, hoping for a title unification match against Jon Jones. However, this July will mark a year since his last UFC appearance. The 32-year-old interim champion is growing frustrated with the uncertainty, with no clear timeline for Jones’ return to the ring.
Advice from Matt Brown
Retired UFC welterweight Matt Brown offered Aspinall similar advice he once gave to Michael Chandler, who waited two years for a fight that ultimately never materialized.
Staying Active
“I see it like [Michael] Chandler’s situation with Conor [McGregor]. Just go fight,” Brown shared on The Fighter vs. The Writer. “Keep your name relevant and show you’re the one to fight. If you sit idle, it weakens your case.”
Inactivity as a Fighter’s Enemy
Brown believes that inactivity poses the biggest threat to fighters since time is a resource they can’t regain. Chandler never regretted waiting for McGregor due to reassurances from the UFC, but he eventually faced defeat in his next two bouts.
The Stakes of Jones vs. Aspinall
Brown recognizes the significance of a potential showdown with Jones, hailed as one of the greatest fighters in MMA history. Still, he stresses that Aspinall stands to gain nothing by simply hoping for a match without staying active.
UFC’s Control and Aspinall’s Choices
The UFC retains significant control over its fighters and matchups, although Jones currently wields considerable power as heavyweight champion. Despite calls to strip him of the title, he’s only been out for six months. Brown feels the UFC lacks clear guidelines, making the situation complex, but notes that if Aspinall chooses to fight, he has options, while Jones is left facing him as his only viable opponent.
