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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
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Stipe Miocic preaches patience to frustrated Tom Aspinall, open to unification bout after Jon Jones

Stipe Miocic displayed class in the wake of a fiery argument from Tom Aspinall about who should be next to face UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones.

Interim titleholder Aspinall (14-3 MMA, 7-1 UFC) has been campaigning hard for the UFC to change course away from a Jones (27-1 MMA, 21-1 UFC) vs. Miocic (20-4 MMA, 14-4 UFC) matchup and instead give him the opportunity to unify belts with Jones next.

The Brit expressed anger and frustration Thursday over social media, unleashing a string of messages as to why Miocic, who hasn’t fought since a March 2021 knockout loss to Francis Ngannou at UFC 260, should be put on the backburner so he can instead realize his dream fight with Jones, who is targeting a mid-2024 return after injury and surgery delayed his original UFC 295 showdown with Miocic on Nov. 11 (via X):

Miocic, who often stays quite over social media, was prompted to reply to Aspinall’s rant.

The former three-time UFC heavyweight king was quick to remind Aspinall that he was not responsible for the bout postponement, which ultimately afforded Aspinall the chance to fight Sergei Pavlovich on short notice and claim the interim belt with a 69-second knockout.

Additionally, Miocic, who many have speculated would retire win or lose against Jones, did not close the door on a fight with Aspinall should he emerge victorious against “Bones” (via X):

I have never caused a delay in the Jon fight.

Tom, once I get this win, let’s talk to unify the belt.

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