The UFC’s heavyweight division is arguably the best its ever been. Yet, despite the competitive times, Tom Aspinall is confident he’s one side of the most exciting fight you can make in the weight class.
The British heavyweight contender thinks a fight with Sergei Pavlovich would be the most thrilling pairing possible in the division. Both Aspinall (13-3 MMA, 6-1 UFC) and Pavlovich (18-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) are aspiring champions and are considered threats to the title. They also have a combined 25 knockouts out of 31 total wins.
“I think it’s going to be Pavlovich who I fight next, if you ask me,” Aspinall said on UFC Unfiltered. “That’s it. That’s the ideal situation, me and Pavlovich.
“I think it’s the most exciting fight in the heavyweight division right now. I believe that right now I have the shortest average time in the UFC, and he has the second-shortest average time, which is wild. Stick us two in the cage and see what happens. It’s going to be absolutely insane.”
Although Aspinall is confident Pavlovich will be the name he draws next, he isn’t completely sure what the stakes will be.
Jon Jones, who currently holds the heavyweight title, is slated to defend the belt against Stipe Miocic in the main event of UFC 295 on Nov. 11 in New York. Jones has been vocal about being close to retirement, and Miocic, 41, has been fighting for a long time.
Aspinall has no clue what’s going to happen at the top of the division beyond UFC 295, though.
“That’s the big question, and we’re in a bit of a strange situation with the heavyweight division right now,” Aspinall said. “Usually it’s who’s going to win the fight. In this situation, it’s who’s going to win the fight and who’s going to retire? Are they both going to retire? Or is no one going to retire? What’s going to happen?
“My path to the heavyweight title is – I don’t know. I’m not one of them guys who wants to sit out and wait my turn. That’s not really my scene. I’m not looking past anybody. If I’m healthy, I’m ready to go. I’ll fight anybody. I’m willing to do whatever I can or whatever it takes to prove to everybody and myself that I deserve to be the heavyweight champion. I know I can do it.”
Tom Aspinall: Matchup with Sergei Pavlovich is ‘the most exciting fight in the heavyweight division’