Tom Aspinall is done waiting around for Jon Jones as he targets two new opponents.
The UFC interim heavyweight champion had put his plans on hold for months while the division waited for clarity from the sidelined champion. But with no resolution in sight, Aspinall has now shifted focus. This week, he revealed he’s started training for two new potential opponents: Alexander Volkov and Jailton Almeida.
Jones, who still holds the undisputed title, recently fueled retirement rumours during a lengthy post on X (formerly Twitter). While he seemed to signal the end of his career, UFC president Dana White later said Jones had already accepted a fight with Aspinall before the outburst. Regardless, no date was ever set, and Aspinall is now moving forward.
“I’m training for (Alexander) Volkov and (Jailton) Almeida this week,” Aspinall replied in an Instagram comment, ending months of limbo.
Volkov and Almeida next in line?
Aspinall already holds a first-round finish over Volkov from their 2022 main event in London, but the Russian has rebuilt his case with four wins since – and only a single controversial loss to Ciryl Gane. Even Dana White apologised to Volkov after that decision, saying he was “robbed”.
Almeida, meanwhile, was once viewed as a future champion before a setback against Curtis Blaydes. But two first-round finishes have put the Brazilian right back into the title mix, and he’s already campaigning for the fight.
Almeida calls for contract
After hearing Aspinall’s comments, Almeida wasted no time responding. “Tom Aspinall, be sure I’m ready to fight you! SEND THE UFC CONTRACT. Glad the champ is saying my name, I’m ready to go,” he wrote in a post on X.
It’s still unclear if the UFC will officially move on from Jones or keep hoping for a return. But Tom Aspinall isn’t waiting any longer – and both Volkov and Almeida seem ready to step in.
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