Tom Aspinall’s dad was anguished upon finding out about the inevitable.
The MMA world was recently flipped upside down when UFC CEO Dana White announced the promotion’s then-heavyweight champion, Jon Jones, had informed UFC brass of his retirement. Jones had not fought in seven months, successfully defending the belt one time since moving up a weight class.
Until this past Saturday, Aspinall held the UFC Interim Heavyweight Championship while negotiating to fight Jones.
“Jon Jones called us last night and retired,” White said during the UFC Baku post-fight presser. “Jon Jones is officially retired. Tom Aspinall is the heavyweight champion of the UFC.”
According to Andy Aspinall, how the family was informed was, in so many words, odd.
“I found out from Tom [about Jones’ plans],” Aspinall told Uncrowned MMA.
READ MORE: UFC 317 pre-fight press conference free live stream for Topuria vs. Oliveira
But that was just the tip of the iceberg. Andy Aspinall took it a step further, as it appeared the UFC treated it as business as usual.
“At the same time, Tom was calling me to tell me that Hunter had told him. Hunter [texted] me saying, ‘Dana has just announced that Tom is the champ,’ which was the same message he had sent Tom,” Andy Aspinall said.
The Aspinalls have nothing against UFC brass, but Andy Aspinall wishes the conversation could have played out differently.
“I don’t think Tom deserved to find out at a press conference in the middle of the night,” Andy Aspinall said. “I can’t think of a worse way to do it, maybe if they had woke us up to tell us it would have been worse. We just happened to be awake at the time. It’s poor man management of Jones and Tom.”
Tom Aspinall stands alone as the Undisputed UFC Heavyweight Champion as he awaits his first title defense.
READ MORE: UFC Paris reportedly adds two fan-friendly fights following main event news
For now, the division can move forward.
• Superbon vs. Noiri & Kane vs. Malykhin 2 set for ONE 173 in Tokyo
• Ilia Topuria receives stern warning from lightweight rival before UFC 317
• Alexandre Pantoja predicts Charles vs. Topuria, UFC 317 fight, family, & more
• Tom Aspinall delivers huge praise for Ilia Topuria ahead of UFC 317
Stick with MMAKnockout for more FREE coverage of the UFC and MMA.
