In an exclusive interview with TNT Sports, Tom Aspinall says he is aiming for a world title shot and thinks Ciryl Gane has not done enough to step back in the ring with Jon Jones.
Jones will take on Stipe Miocic at UFC 295 on November 11 live and exclusive on TNT Sports, as ‘Bones’ looks to defend his title.
The 30-year-old, eyeing his next fight, has previously called for a clash with the winner of that UFC 295 main event, but he says he is ready to take on anyone.
As for Gane, who has fallen short in two title fights, Aspinall believes the Frenchman is not being realistic about his own ambitions for a title shot, having dismissed a possible showdown with the Brit.
“I don’t know, the guy’s acting like not the wisest move in my opinion,” Aspinall told TNT Sports.
“Not not taking the fight against me, but his whole outlook on stuff. It’s very, it reminds me of a private school, entitled rich kid.
“He fought for the title against Ngannou. He was the interim champion and he fought the legit champion – he lost that fight. Then he came back against [Tai] Tuvasa, had an impressive win, straight back to a title fight.
“He fought Jon Jones, lost the Jon Jones fight really easily. He didn’t put up any resistance. You can’t then beat the No. 8 or 9 guy and go straight back to fight Jon Jones. That’s not how it works.
“You’ve had two goes, you lost them both. You need to do a little bit more.”
Jones is the favourite against Miocic, but Aspinall believes either fighter could walk away with the title. He thinks the bigger question is how the division shakes out after the conclusion.
“I think nobody is giving Stipe a chance,” Aspinall continued. “Personally I think Jones is going to win but it wouldn’t surprise me if Stipe won. The guy is amazing.
“Now the big question is not so much who wins, but who retires, and when are they going to retire? Is Jon Jones going to retire on November 11? Or give it a few months and see what’s going on. Because if he is going to do that it’s kind of holding up the division in the way.
“Who knows? But in an ideal world what would happen is both guys retire on November 11 and me and [Sergei] Pavlovich fight for the title.
“Right now I’m training twice a day, staying ready for anything. I’ll be ready for anyone when we can, throw me in with anybody.
“From here on going forward, I’m ranked No.4. They’re all tough fights, give me anybody. I’m healthy, I’ve had a year off with my knee, let me fight somebody. I’ve called out all the guys who are available – what else can I do?”
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