MMA enthusiasts were taken aback by the unexpected announcement of Tom Aspinall and Sergei Pavlovich being scheduled on short notice to compete for the UFC interim heavyweight championship. The British heavyweight fighter found himself thrust into a bout against the Russian at UFC 295 on very short notice.
The duo saved the PPV event for the promotion by stepping in at the last moment after UFC champion Jon Jones withdrew from his main event clash with Stipe Miocic due to injury. They will fight at the co-main event for the night on November 11. The main event clash will be between Alex Pereira and Jiri Prochazka, who will be clashing for a vacant light-heavyweight title.
Since joining the UFC, Aspinall has emerged victorious in six out of seven fights, earning a dedicated fan following who appreciate his distinctive approach to heavyweight combat. The 30-year-old feels the opportunity to fight at UFC 295 was too good to pass up, and he also expressed his desire to secure a victory at Madison Square Garden and to win the interim title.
However, Tom’s family was not too happy with the sudden announcement of the fight, as they were just about to go on vacation. “They have not forgiven me. This seems to be every time I book a holiday, something happens, and I’m like, I can’t go,” said Tom Aspinall in an interview.
However, the fighter also said that he will try to make it up to his family after his very important interim heavyweight title fight at UFC 295.
The UFC had announced the interim title fight before Tom Aspinall had even signed the contract
Tom Aspinall recently revealed that the UFC reached out to him promptly upon learning about Jon Jones‘ injury, and this occurred around 4 a.m. Aspinall also asserted that he didn’t have a chance to inform anyone about the fight before the promotion officially announced it, including his father, who coincidentally serves as his coach.
“The UFC called me, and I accepted, but they announced it straight away. I thought they would wait until I’d signed the contract, but they announced it instantly.” – said Tom Aspinall to Mirror Fighting.
Given the uncertainty surrounding Jon Jones’ injury and recovery, Aspinall vs. Pavlovich is being looked at as the road to undisputed heavyweight gold. Jones is not slated to make a comeback until at least the middle of 2024, but it’s probable that he will seek a fight with UFC legend Stipe Miocic first.