Aspinall Later Vacates UFC Heavyweight Title
Tom Aspinall waited for a heavyweight title-unification bout with Jon Jones, but they never fought. Jones announced his retirement in June 2025 and vacated the title; the UFC elevated Aspinall to undisputed champion. Aspinall later vacated the belt in September 2026.
The bout, which aims to unify the UFC heavyweight titles, has been a topic of intense speculation. Jones, the reigning champion, secured his title with a third-round TKO victory over Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 in November 2024. Meanwhile, Aspinall earned the interim belt with a knockout win against Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 295 in November 2023 and successfully defended it against Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304 in July 2024.
In a recent meeting with UFC Chief Business Officer Hunter Campbell, Aspinall expressed optimism about the fight’s progress. He described the meeting as “fantastic” and hinted at big news coming soon. Aspinall’s frustration over the prolonged negotiations seems to have eased, as he now feels confident about his position and the company’s plans.
Jones, on the other hand, has remained relatively quiet about the fight, leading to speculation about his intentions. Some fans and analysts have accused Jones of “ducking” Aspinall, but UFC CEO Dana White has assured that the fight is being finalized and could take place this summer.
The unification bout between Jones and Aspinall is expected to be one of the biggest events in UFC history, showcasing the clash of two dominant heavyweights. As fans await official confirmation, the anticipation continues to build for this epic showdown.
For more details, visit MMA Junkie and Bloody Elbow.
