Former UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic empathizes with current interim champion Tom Aspinall’s situation. However, has said he isn’t taking the blame for holding up the heavyweight division.
Stipe Miocic was originally meant to face the current champion Jon Jones at UFC 295 in November 2023 for the heavyweight title. However, Jon Jones ended up pulling out of the event due to picking up an injury. This would then set up an interim title fight between Tom Aspinall and Sergei Pavlovich both stepping in at the last minute. In the end, Tom Aspinall was able to defeat Sergei Pavlovich in the first round to become the interim champion.
Stipe Miocic Empathizes with Tom Aspinall
Currently, there is no timeline in sight for the current champion to return to the octagon. The current interim champion Tom Aspinall initially called for the champion to be stripped of his title. However, later on, Aspinall has been calling for a title unification fight with Jon Jones. However, Jon Jones is adamant he is wanting to fight Stipe Miocic next when he returns to the octagon. Currently, Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic have hinted that they might both retire after their potential fight which would in turn rob Tom Aspinall of the chance of fighting Jon Jones for the title. Currently, Tom Aspinall is set to face Curtis Blaydes where Aspinall’s Interim title is on the line at UFC 304 this weekend.
Stipe Miocic has not fought in the UFC in more than three years and has since received criticism for holding up the division. Stipe Miocic does understand Aspinall’s point of view, however, explains that his only demand to the UFC is to fight Jon Jones when Jones is ready to return. However, Stipe Miocic also noted that it is the UFC who makes the final call and not him. Speaking to Shakiel Mahjouri, Stipe said;
“I get it. I’d feel the same way but I’m not taking anything away from him,”
“The UFC can do what they want. It is what it is. There’s only one guy I want to fight — it’s Jon Jones. But at the same time, the UFC can pick who they want to pick. People don’t notice that there were a couple of times when I was ready to fight him and they gave it to another guy. What am I supposed to do? I’m not holding up the division like everyone says. I don’t care. Do what you want and stop crying. I’m not saying he’s crying. I’m just saying like fans and stuff like that.”
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
