Tom Aspinall reveals Stipe Miocic REJECTED chance to fight him at UFC 300 because he ‘only wants Jon Jones’… as Dana White announces another bout for historic card involving new signing

Tom Aspinall has revealed that Stipe Miocic has turned down a fight against him at UFC 300 and would rather wait for the big showdown against Jon Jones.

Jones was set to fight the former heavyweight champion last year before tearing his pectoral tendon and potentially being ruled out for a year.

Aspinall defeated Sergei Pavlovich with an incredible KO to claim the interim title, but has been frustrated by his enforced inactivity.

He has repeatedly called out Jones and would also like to fight Miocic, but the UFC has made it clear that they still plan to meet both Americans first if Jones returns.

Aspinall wrote of X: “Believe it or not, I respect Jon Jones and everything he has done. So impressive. I wish him all the best in his recovery and return against Stipe Miocic.

“While we were talking about Stipe Miocic, my manager was contacted by the UFC asking if I wanted to fight him on April 13th. Of course I accepted it.

‘A little later we were told that Stipe Miocic does not want to fight me, but is only interested in fighting Jon Jones.

‘For that matter. I will stop crying, accept that it’s not going to happen and enjoy the fight that me and all the other fans want to see. Legend vs. Legend for the Heavyweight Title. Maximum respect guys. Sure.’

Aspinall is therefore faced with the prospect of having to wait a year or more for the situation between these two veterans to develop, or taking on a lesser name in a potential banana peel fight.

Dana White was asked about the situation in December and said, “You’re a young guy, you got hurt there for a while. You’ll get your chance, just wait, this fight has to happen and then we’ll figure out what’s next for you.

“I don’t know if Jon will be out for a long time. Aspinall could fight again, we’ll see how this turns out.

“Jones and Stipe, the fight, they both deserve it. Jon got hurt, he can’t do anything about it.

Miocic, 40, has not fought since his March 2021 defeat to Francis Ngannou

Jones is out injured with a torn pectoral tendon and still plans to fight Miocic

‘We’ll see what happens in 2024. If Aspinall wants to fight before that happens, why not, let him defend it.”

Aspinall’s only defeat in the UFC remains a bizarre injury suffered 13 seconds into his fight with Curtis Blaydes.

The British star is desperate to consolidate his place at the top of the heavyweight pile but can only do so by fighting Jones.

There’s a good chance the American will retire after his fight with Miocic, so Aspinall may never get the chance to test himself against the man considered by many to be the greatest MMA fighter of all time.

White has now announced that Holly Holm will fight Kayla Harrison at UFC 300.

British star Aspinall is not content to sit on the sidelines and wait for Jones to return

The promotion has signed former PFL champion Harrison and the UFC president announced the fight on social media.

It will be added to the card, which is now taking shape with Justin Gaethje’s clash for the BMF title against Max Holloway the standout encounter so far.

No doubt there will be more high-profile fights to come, with fans still waiting to find out who will headline the historic event.