DANA WHITE has made a huge announcement on the fighting future of Tom Aspinall.
The Brit hasn’t set foot inside the octagon since defending his interim heavyweight title fight in blistering fashion against Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304 in June.
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Aspinall, 31, immediately called to be the backup fighter for undisputed champion Jon Jones’ title defence against Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 on November 16.
And the Wigan warrior’s wish to be the replacement fighter for the Madison Square Garden main event has been granted by UFC headhoncho White.
When asked about the possibility of Aspinall being on standby in case either Jones or Micic can’t make their MSG melee, White said: “Yes.
“Tom Aspinall is next in line for anything that happens after this fight.”
Jones and Miocic, 37 and 42 respectively, were set to throw down last November in the main event of UFC 295.
But a torn pec muscle forced Jones out of the bout and led to the introduction of the interim title.
Jones’ loss was Aspinall’s gain as he obliterated Sergei Pavlovich in 64 seconds to win the interim strap and become only the third Brit to hold UFC gold.
Aspinall has been gunning for a unification bout with Jones ever since but the UFC have refused to deviate from their original plans for their former long-reigning light-heavyweight champion.
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And his hopes of ever sharing the cage with the consensus GOAT were dealt a huge blow last weekend when Jones suggested his next fight will be his LAST.
The Hall of Famer told Clocked N’ Loaded: “This is gonna be the last time [I fight].
“The last time, more than likely.”
Jones’ admission comes just weeks after White definitely claimed he’d stick around to face Aspinall.
He said: “Dislike him, whatever your beef is with Jon Jones, knock yourself out.
“There’s no way in hell that Jon Jones doesn’t want to fight Aspinall. That I guarantee you.”
The prospect of Jones walking away from the sport seeming doesn’t faze White, who won’t be making any hasty attempts to convince the legend to perform a U-turn.
The 55-year-old said: “Why speak to him after this event?”
“You’ve got to figure out what’s going to happen in this fight.
“See how this fight plays out and then we’ll go from there.”
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