Footage shows tense first meeting between Tom Aspinall and Jon Jones as UFC champion pushes Brit star’s hand away
UFC star Tom Aspinall will think twice about touching hero Jon Jones again following a tense first meeting between the two heavyweights.
The 30-year-old, who holds the interim belt, has made no secret of his admiration for 'Bones' - widely regarded as one of the best MMA fighters in history.
3
But it is the American he is chasing next as he looks to inflict a first defeat on the 36-year-old since 2009 and rip away his UFC title in the process.
Following Aspinall's first round knockout win over Sergei Pavlovich in November, he called out Jones in his quest to set up his 'dream fight'.
And the pair have now come face-to-face for the first time at the Arnold Sports Festival in Birmingham.
And to say it was awkward would be putting in mildly.
READ MORE ON UFC
Aspinall told Jones he was just coming over to say 'hello', with Jones offering his hand out for a shake.
The duo then told the other how it was nice to meet each other, with Aspinall placing his hand on Jones' shoulder.
Jones instantly pushed it away, with Aspinall immediately apologising.
He then wished 'all the best' for Aspinall, which the Salford native would hope culminates in him dethroning the two-weight world champion.
Most read in MMA
3
3
Following their exchange, Aspinall took to his account where he insisted he has gained confidence he would beat Jones.
He said: "He's nowhere near as big as I thought, I thought he was a lot taller."
Tom Aspinall considers quitting MMA after trying to break Francis Ngannou's punch machine score and failing miserably
Aspinall added: "I'm a full-grown heavyweight, there's no chance he's as big as me, he's nowhere near as big as me.
"But size doesn't matter really, we're both massive guys, but I'll take that one.
"I think I beat him definitely."
Aspinall has been calling for a fight with Jon Jones for months.
In November, he said: “I’ve seen Jon talking nice stuff about me on a podcast as well, it’s really nice.
"Obviously it’s always nice to hear nice things about you, but from someone like that who I massively look up to even more so.
“Thank you, Jon, and just give me the opportunity. Let me do it, give me my dream fight.
"I’ve just achieved my dream now, but give me my dream fight.
“Let me fight for my legacy now, please.”
Topics