Tom Aspinall Claims He Was Barred from UFC 309 Press Conference
Tom Aspinall, the UFC interim heavyweight champion, recently revealed he wasn’t allowed to attend the UFC 309 press conference, where heavyweight champion Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic headlined. Speaking with former champion Daniel Cormier, Aspinall expressed frustration at being excluded despite his requests to join the event.
“Wait, I’ve got to pull you up there DC because I asked to be at the press conference, but I was told no,” said Aspinall.
Cormier, surprised by this revelation, responded, “I wish you were there.” Aspinall added, “I was trying to go, I got blacklisted.”
Fans Chant for Aspinall Amid Jones vs. Miocic Hype
The press conference featured loud chants of “Tommy, Tommy, Tommy” from fans, showcasing their desire for a potential Jones vs. Aspinall showdown. However, Jones quickly silenced the crowd, telling them to “knock it off.”
Aspinall’s exclusion didn’t end at the press conference. When Michael Bisping asked if there were plans for him to face off with the winner of Jones vs. Miocic in the Octagon, Aspinall replied, “Nope. Zero. I requested to go to the weigh-ins. They didn’t want me there.”
He continued, “So we’ll see what happens with the face-off in the Octagon, but that would be great if we could do that.”
Fans and analysts have questioned whether Jones is intentionally avoiding a fight with Aspinall. This speculation stems from Jones’ previous comments and actions, including walking out of an interview with TNT Sport’s Adam Catterall when Aspinall was brought up.
“Hey, I’m not going to do this interview,” Jones said before leaving, explaining, “Because it’s going to be an Aspinall fest. I’m not going to do it.”
Aspinall himself believes Jones is taking an easier route. “Yes, he definitely is,” Aspinall remarked. “There’s just an easier path for him, and I understand it.”
Dana White’s Plans for Aspinall
UFC President Dana White has suggested that the winner of Jones vs. Miocic should fight Aspinall next. However, Jones recently hinted at a preference for a bout against UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira, further casting doubt on a potential showdown with the British star.
Aspinall, officially listed as the backup for UFC 309, weighed in at 255 lbs—heavier than both Miocic (248.6 lbs) and Jones (237.6 lbs). As he waits for his opportunity, Aspinall remains determined to secure a fight with Jones.
“I know how this guy operates,” Aspinall said. “If he goes and wins on Saturday night, he’ll disappear. You won’t hear anything from him, and then once that competitive spirit starts to bubble again, he’ll reach out. I cannot see him not wanting to fight me.”
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images and Embed from Getty Images
