Tom Aspinall reveals Tyson Fury wants him back as sparring partner as preparation for Francis Ngannou fight, as British UFC star insists he ‘is ready now’ to face Jon Jones with big win at UFC London

Tom Aspinall thought the days of being called up as fresh heavyweight meat for Tyson Fury’s sparring are long gone and he’s now a bona fide star in his own right.

Once again this Saturday, a UFC London card will be propped on his broad shoulders as he faces Marcin Tybura.

But the phone is still ringing red hot and Fury wants him to put on boxing gloves and help him prepare for an October crossover fight with former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou.

“He called me the other day and asked if I wanted to help him train,” Aspinall revealed on Wednesday. We’ll see how it fits.

“I think Ngannou has a chance to hit, but it’s very, very small. I’ve sparred with Tyson a lot and I think someone with Ngannou’s inexperience will find it very difficult. He hits like a truck, but Fury is a master and I think it’s going to be tough.’

Tyson Fury has called Tom Aspinall asking him to help prepare for Francis Ngannou

The Briton’s ultimate aim is to keep the gold once owned by Ngannou at the top of the UFC’s heavyweight division and he could very well have a mega fight of his own if he pulls off a devastating finish at the O2 Arena.

“Heavyweight MMA has its own rules in my opinion. Ranked No. 5 vs. Ranked 10, if I lie to him it won’t do anything, but if I knock him out with a crazy spinning elbow then suddenly I’m No. 1 contender. I think I’m ready to fight Jon Jones now.

Jones holds the title after beating Ciryl Gane on his comeback, but has hinted he would retire after meeting Stipe Miocic later this year.

Aspinall hopes that the man considered by many to be the greatest of all time can be tempted to keep fighting him.

“I think Jones vs Miocic is interesting, hard to pick a winner,” he continued.

Stipe is getting long in the tooth with miles on the clock. Jones, we know exactly where he is. I would say he definitely has an edge.

“I hope Jones sticks and that’s my Jones fight. I want to excite Jones. He probably doesn’t know who I am. I want him to look at me and think he should test himself against me.”

The last time Aspinall came into action, he seriously injured his knee in the first few seconds

There were some raised eyebrows when Aspinall accepted a fight against Tybura, with fans thinking he should be aiming upwards rather than taking on the number 10.

The home fighter is a bookie favourite, but his opponent is in good shape and Aspinall has also noticed a change in his body shape.

“I think Tybura is hiding a tummy there, maybe he has that skinny fat thing going on. No, he’s in good shape!

“He’s doing a lot well, I don’t understand why people are counting him out, he’s won seven of the last eight and that’s a pretty good record.

“I took him very seriously. Saturday I’m going to move nicely and everything is recovered (after his knee injury). People around me know that I trained on one leg, with two legs I have much more to offer! It will surprise a few people.

“I just want to fight again, I’ve missed it more than I realized and can’t wait. Being injured gave me time to get everything right in my life.

Jon Jones could take on Aspinall in England, Dana White teased in a recent interview

“I feel like I’ve changed a lot inside and outside the gym and this time I got the chance to work with good heavyweights in training, but in the end I have to show it on Saturday.”

Aspinall has never progressed past the second round in any fight of his career so far and Tybura jumps at the chance to test him in uncharted territory.

The Polish fighter said, “The key is dragging him into deep waters, I don’t know if it will be five rounds, it’s something unknown what he will look like later on. I just want to go hard from the start, if I want to make him tired I have to be tired too.

“I hope he’s 100 percent ready because that turns me on. There is no doubt that he will be my toughest opponent yet.”