Tom Aspinall, theUFC interim heavyweight champion, has been in limbo since his explosive 60-second knockout victory over Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304. But after his recent appearance at UFC London and a high-level meeting with UFC executives, things may be about to change—dramatically. The 31-year-old British powerhouse hinted that“big news”regarding a potentialJon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall title unification boutmay be on the horizon. After months of uncertainty and frustration, fans and fighters alike are beginning to feel hopeful that one of the most anticipated matchups in heavyweight history might finally materialize.

Aspinall Meets UFC Executives: Signs of Progress in Jon Jones NegotiationsAspinall traveled to London last weekend to serve as a guest fighter at UFC Fight Night. However, his trip was about more than just press appearances. He held a detailed, face-to-face meeting with UFC executives, including Chief Business Officer Hunter Campbell, to discuss his fighting future.

“We had a great meal and went through everything thoroughly,” Aspinall said during his appearance onThe Ariel Helwani Show. “Hunter Campbell has always been extremely approachable and reasonable with me. I can’t speak for others, but for my team and me, he’s been nothing but welcoming and fantastic.”This tone marked a clear shift from Aspinall’s previous frustration, which he had voiced both publicly and on his YouTube channel. According to sources close to the interim champion, thelack of communication from Jon Jones’ camphad stalled negotiations for months, leading to growing doubts over whether the unification bout would happen at all.But after this London meeting, Aspinall now feels confident. He suggested fans should “stay tuned” because something major is in the works.“We had a fantastic meeting. Everything went really well, and now I understand where I stand. I understand what the company is doing now. You’ve got to stay tuned—there’s some big news coming,” he said.Dana White Confirms: ‘Only a Matter of Time’ Before Jones vs. AspinallUFC President Dana White also added fuel to the fire last week when he spoke to TNT Sports about the long-delayed heavyweight title unification. While White stopped short of confirming a date or location, he emphasized that the fight is “done but not done”—meaning the terms are close to final but still in progress.“It’s just a matter of time,” White stated, referring to the final stages of the negotiation betweenJon Jones and Tom Aspinall.

This update brings hope to fight fans who have been eagerly waiting for resolution in the heavyweight division. While Jon Jones last competed in November—securing a dominant third-round win over Stipe Miocic—he hasn’t publicly acknowledged plans to face Aspinall. His preference for legacy fights and high-reward opponents has led to speculation that he may be looking to retire after the Miocic bout. However, if Dana White’s optimism holds weight, the final piece of the heavyweight puzzle could soon fall into place.Aspinall Breaks Silence: Frustration and Optimism About His UFC FuturePrior to his meeting in London, Tom Aspinall was candid about his frustrations. On his YouTube channel, he admitted that the delay in his next fight was largely due to Jon Jones’ unwillingness to engage in negotiations.“I’ve not been active, and that’s down to the other side,” he said, referring to the Jones camp.Sources within Aspinall’s team echoed his sentiments as early as February, tellingUncrownedthat their enthusiasm for a Jon Jones bout was waning due to lack of movement. Despite being in top physical condition and eager to fight, Aspinall found himself sidelined as the UFC heavyweight division hit a standstill.But after the meeting with UFC execs, Aspinall sounded more hopeful than ever.“I feel really optimistic about everything right now. I’m in a really good position. I understand what’s happening, and I’m just excited for what’s coming next.”Training Like a Champion Without a FightEven during his layoff, Aspinall has kept up an elite training schedule. With no fight officially booked since UFC 304, the British brawler could have taken time off. But that’s never been his mindset.

“I could fight next week if they wanted me to,” he said. “I’ve just been training, working on my strength, getting better in the gym. That’s all I do.”Aspinall revealed that he’s surrounded himself with top-tier heavyweight talent from around the world. His gym has become a hotbed for elite sparring partners, many of whom are in training camps for their own upcoming fights. This environment has kept Aspinall sharp and focused, even in the absence of a scheduled bout.“I’m sparring and training at a championship level every day. I’m treating every session like it’s a fight camp. I’m not just sitting at home watching TV.”This mindset not only keeps Aspinall ready physically but also sharpens his mental edge. He knows that when the opportunity finally comes, he needs to be ready to seize it.

The Longest Interim Title Reign in UFC HistoryIf the UFC doesn’t schedule a fight for Aspinall soon, he will break an unfortunate record—the longest-reigning interim championwithout a unification bout. In April, Aspinall will surpass former interim bantamweight champion Renan Barao for this dubious honor. The major difference between the two is that Barao’s unification was delayed due to a long-term injury suffered by Dominick Cruz. In contrast,Jon Jones is healthy and capable of fighting, which only adds to the frustration of Aspinall and his fans.Aspinall has made it clear both publicly and privately that his days of defending the interim belt are over. He doesn’t want another interim fight. His goal is singular: to become the

undisputed UFC heavyweight champion.“I’m not doing this for money or fame,” he said. “I want that undisputed title. That’s what matters most to me. I’m not interested in anything else.”What’s Next: Will UFC 306 Be the Moment?Speculation is already swirling that the unification bout could headlineUFC 306in Las Vegas or another major pay-per-view event during the summer or fall of 2025. With UFC officials signaling that final discussions are underway and Aspinall confirming that he’s in peak condition, the timing seems right.If the fight happens, it could be one of the mosthigh-stakes heavyweight boutsin UFC history. Jon Jones, widely regarded as the greatest fighter of all time, would face a red-hot, younger, and much heavier Aspinall in a true clash of eras. The narrative writes itself: the GOAT vs. the future.