Tom Aspinall, currently sidelined and awaiting a potential title unification bout against Jon Jones, is advised by retired UFC fighter Matt Brown to stay active and fight rather than wait indefinitely, as inactivity could harm his career and legacy.
Over the past two years, Tom Aspinall has been on a tear, boasting a 3-0 record. But here’s the kicker: he’s only spent a mere 3 minutes and 22 seconds in the octagon, thanks to lightning-fast first-round finishes.
Right now, Aspinall’s on the sidelines, itching for his next shot. He’s hoping for a title unification bout against Jon Jones. But July marks a year since his last UFC appearance, and he’s getting restless. Who wouldn’t be?
Retired UFC welterweight Matt Brown has some advice for Aspinall, similar to what he told Michael Chandler during his long wait for Conor McGregor.
Brown suggests, “Just go fight, bro.” Keep your name buzzing, keep building your legacy. Waiting on the sidelines? Not helping your case.
Brown argues inactivity is a fighter’s worst enemy. Time? It’s a luxury nobody gets back. Chandler learned this the hard way, waiting for McGregor, only to end up with two tough losses.
Sure, a fight against Jones is massive. But Aspinall gains nothing by just hoping it happens. Brown’s old-school mindset is clear: fight as much as you can. You’ll regret the time lost otherwise.
Business-wise, it’s tricky. You want the biggest fight without all the risk. But hey, you only live once, right?
Jones, as the heavyweight champ, holds a lot of power. Calls to strip him of the title are around, but he’s only been inactive for six months. The UFC’s stance? Unclear.
Brown thinks the UFC’s lack of clear rules adds to the chaos. “They’re not going to strip him,” he says. It’s all up to Dana White and the PR guys. No standard, no guidelines.
If Aspinall decides to fight, he’s got options, even if they’re not as thrilling. For Jones, though, Aspinall might be the only fight that makes sense.
Brown insists, “If Jones fights again, it just has to be Tom Aspinall.” No other fight holds the same respect right now.
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