Tom Aspinall says he is still chasing an undisputed UFC heavyweight title fight against Jon Jones - but is unsure whether it will ever materialise.
Since defeating Sergei Pavlovich to become the interim champion in November 2023, Aspinall has made no secret of his appetite to face the legendary American in a bid to become the undisputed heavyweight champion of the UFC.
However, Jones, who is regarded as one of the greatest fighters in UFC history, has refused to commit to a bout with Aspinall and after beating Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 in November, insisted he would want "f**k you money" to fight the Brit.
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But despite UFC chief Dana White recently assuring fans that a bout between the pair was "coming", Aspinall has revealed that Jones is still yet to agree to a fight.
Providing an update to his YouTube channel on Sunday, Aspinall said: “Where we’re at right now is I have spoken to the UFC on multiple occasions about this fight. I’m chasing it. I want the fight. I’ve been on record and said that I want the fight.
"I’ve been on the phone with the UFC saying that I want the fight, 'When’s it happening?'. I want the fight more than anyone. What is holding it up right now is his side. That’s the truth of it.
“The UFC really, really want the fight to happen. They told me that. As I said, this is one of the biggest fights that can be made in MMA right now and everybody knows that. Everybody knows it.
"It’s just does he want to put himself in a position where he’s comfortable enough financially to take the risk that he’s taking to fight me. That is where we’re at.
"As far as I’m aware, this is totally down to Jon Jones and his team to work that out. Because I’m in. The UFC are in. They assure me that they desperately want to make the fight every time I speak to them. They said, ‘We are working as hard as we can on the fight.'. I’m literally just waiting for a date.”
The 31-year-old Brit also admitted he is not hung up on a fight with Jones but rather on becoming the undisputed heavyweight champion of the UFC.
“I’m not bothered who it’s against, to be honest, it’s not just the Jon Jones fight I’m looking for,” added Aspinall. “I’m looking to fight. I’m in shape. I’ve been working hard since way before Christmas. I’ve been in the gym twice a day. My diet’s good. I’ve been sparring. I’ve got international training partners here. I am prepared to fight anybody.
"But what’s holding it back is the UFC wants to make the fight with me and Jon. As far as I’m aware, it’s now about maybe financial, otherwise, I’m not too sure, to be honest. I’m just waiting for the call right now. I’m 100 per cent ready to go.
“One thing that I want to be really clear on, I am only fighting for the undisputed title. That’s my only discrepancy. I will fight absolutely anyone. We can look through my record, you can speak to any promoter that I’ve ever worked with, UFC or otherwise, I have absolutely never turned down a fight in my life. Never turned down an opponent and I’m not going to start now.
"What we need to be clear on is that I have done enough in the UFC to fight for the undisputed title. I am the best heavyweight in the world and I just want a chance to prove it.”
Aspinall last fought in July at UFC 304 in Manchester, beating Curtis Blaydes by TKO in the first round.
