Tom Aspinall: ‘I’m here to create my own legacy and I don’t need Jon Jones to do that’

Tom Aspinall is chasing greatness with or without Jon Jones.

After knocking out Sergei Pavlovich to capture the interim heavyweight title at UFC 295, Aspinall (14-3 MMA, 7-1 UFC) was hoping to unify his belt with heavyweight champion Jones (27-1 MMA, 21-1 UFC) next. However, with Jones continually dismissing himhe may never have that opportunity.

Instead of a title unification fight with Jones, Aspinall returns with Curtis Blaydes (18-4 MMA, 13-4 UFC) in the co-main event of UFC 304 (pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+) on 27 July in Manchester, England. Blaydes won his first fight by technical knockout in July 2022, after Aspinall blew out his knee 15 seconds into the fight.

When asked if Jones will be the one big fight he gets away with if it never happens, Aspinall said he won’t let that narrative define his career.

“I mean, I obviously would,” Aspinall told MMA Junkie. “I’ve been fighting for this for a long time. I don’t have the courage to fight and I don’t know if that will happen, but I’m not too bothered.

“I’m here to create my own legacy and I’m trying to be great, and I don’t need Jon Jones to do that. If I could achieve that, fantastic. I really think I can beat him, but I’m not focused on that right now, to be honest. I’m just thinking about Curtis Blaydes and that’s it.”

Jones revealed that his first title defense against Stipe Miocic (20-4 MMA, 14-4 UFC) will take place on November 9 in New York at what is expected to be the UFC’s annual pay-per-view at Madison Square Garden.

For more information on the card, visit the MMA Junkie events hub to UFC 304.

This story originally appeared on MMA Junkie