Exclusive with Tom Aspinall: Fighting Jon Jones would be the dream

Tom Aspinall is a British UFC star who has set his sights on a summer return to the Octagon. Speaking exclusively to BestGamblingSites, Tom Aspinall backs Brit star Leon Edwards to beat Kamaru Usman this weekend, wants to take on the iconic Jon Jones and how hypnotherapy is helping his return.

I back Leon Edwards to beat Kamaru Usman - but it’s a big ask

TA: “I'm backing the Brit but it's a tough task because he was losing the fight before he pulled out the KO. Although it was very interesting what Leon said about the altitude in Salt Lake because he dominated the first round then slowed down a little bit. So if the altitude was a factor in Leon's performance, we could see a complete domination from him this time. Also, the other thing I'm concerned about with Usman is, the fight wasn't that long ago.

That was a big shock to the brain, he was asleep for a longtime. He was out, ice cold, on the floor. Surely that can happen again.

“That was a big shock to the brain, he was asleep for a longtime. He was out, ice cold, on the floor. Surely that can happen again. Also, mentally, the last time they fought, Usman woke up looking at the lights with doctors around him. It wasn't even that long ago. It's not like he's gone and got his confidence back with some big wins. But on the flip side we are talking about one of the greatest guys to do it, so it may not affect him too much. “

Jon Jones is a ‘dream fight’...but I think he only fights twice more

TA: “Jones has nothing left to prove. He'll probably have this Stipe fight and then call it a day, maybe one more after that. I don't think he needs to fight a load of contenders. It would be my absolute dream to fight Jon Jones but realistically I don't know if it happens. I don't know if someone like Jon Jones needs to fight a load of contenders. Stipe, one more maybe, and then I think he calls it a day.

I'd need a bit more experience before jumping in with Jones, a bit more main event experience because that's what he's got over me massively.

“I'd need a bit more experience before jumping in with Jones, a bit more main event experience because that's what he's got over me massively. He's had a million title fights and I've had zero. I've only done two main events, so handling the pressure is something I'm still getting used to. I'd like a bit more of that stuff before I fight him, but as far as skill level, he does not outclass me in any area, but he's definitely the best of all time and I would need to be the best prepared I can.”

Something mentally or physically was wrong with Ciryl Gane in defeat to Jon Jones

TA: “It's incredibly motivating that the GOAT is in my division right now. It was a complete domination by Jon Jones. Ciryl Gane didn't offer much resistance in any part of the fight. It was one-sided. Everyone's quick to say how bad Gane's grappling is, but I don't think that's the case. I think maybe there was something going on behind the scenes that only Ciryl and his team know about. Ciryl is a big dude, he's mad athletic and Jones half took him down and Ciryl never seemed to offer any resistance in any department. What I'm saying is: he's big, strong, athletic and explosive - and if you're lacking in technical ability - use those assets instead. Use your athleticism to try and get him off. There was no attempt to do anything.“If you feel technically inferior to your opponent, use your physical attributes. You are one of the most athletic guys to ever step into Octagon. He didn't use any of that. To me it looked like something was wrong. I'd be guessing but maybe the occasion got to him, or maybe he was carrying an injury, or maybe he’s too active and he's been in too many wars and he's second guessing himself. I don't know, I'm only guessing. For me there didn't seem to be any attempt to escape.

“You're going to expect to be on your back against Jon Jones, he's one of the best wrestlers that's ever fought in MMA, but there was no urgency or resistance. There was no attempt to do anything - just lying there waiting to lose which was very surprising. There must be something that's not right that we don't know about. I'd be guessing, but I don't know if he's turned up and thought, shit, I'm fighting Jon Jones and there's a lot of pressure. Or whether there was physically an injury where he's incapable of getting out. But it was very uncharacteristic of Ciryl, who is usually very explosive and has a good defence from what I've seen. He just didn't look comfortable being there. He didn't seem himself.

“I think Jones' confidence is on another level. Everyone knows how good he is. At this point he's probably the best fighter to do the sport. His mental game is on another level and I think he must have gotten inside Ciryl's head. I also think he does stuff that's difficult to see from the outside and does it so well in the Octagon because he controlled all aspects.”

Jones’ unshakeable confidence’ will be the difference against Stipe Miocic next

TA: “Jones has got Stipe at a good time but also I think Stipe looked pretty good in his last fight, even though he got knocked out. You can't count Stipe out. He's dangerous and mega-experienced and it will be interesting. I think Jones wins. They're both mega experienced but Jones' confidence at the moment is unshakeable, and I think Stipe may question himself after a long layoff and after getting knocked out. The momentum is with Jon.”

Hypnotherapy is making me more confident and stress free

“My confidence is the highest it's ever been. I've got two working legs and I'm training really well - I've also been doing some hypnotherapy to help with the mental side of it and I feel great. I feel like I'm ready to come back and do some damage. It kind of dropped on me. My friend has an issue that's undiagnosed, he sometimes has fits and his body shakes, and they can't diagnose it. Anyway, he had hypnotherapy and it really helped him. The hypnotherapist works with some boxers and cyclists and he said it could be beneficial for me. I've been doing it for a couple of months and it's really made a difference. I think you can spend all this time training your body, but the mind is a little bit more important, so we should spend time training the mind as well.

My confidence is the highest it's ever been.

“You lie on the bed and hypnotherapist speaks to you. And it's weird because sometimes I feel like I'm not listening to what he's saying and he says that's good. I feel like I'm borderline dreaming but he says the subconscious can hear everything, so don't worry about listening to all the steps he's talking you through. It's great, I'm well into it. I feel generally more confident and stress free. It's early days, I've only been doing it a couple months, but I feel more free than I did before and less stressed about stuff.”

Tai Tuivasa and Marcin Tybura could be next possible opponents

TA: “I've heard they're looking at some European shows coming up, so stick me on that in summer. I'm ready to go whenever they want me. I'm speaking to the UFC next week about an opponent. It's difficult because a lot of the ranked guys are matched up now. It's just about who is free. I know Marcin Tybura is free. I know Tai Tuivasa is free at the moment, maybe they're working on a fight for me behind the scenes. I don't know. I'll be investigating next week.”

Fury and Usyk would have fought by now if it were UFC. Boxing is ridiculous

TA: “If the Furys and Usyks were in the UFC they'd have fought at least once, maybe even twice already. It's ridiculous. I don't know whose fault it is, but it just makes the sport so boring. Just get on with it and crack on. The UFC has competitive fights from top to bottom on the card, from the prelims to the main event, every single fight is evenly matched.

If the Furys and Usyks were in the UFC they'd have fought at least once, maybe even twice already. It's ridiculous.

We have regular shows every week, we kept going through the pandemic, it's just way more exciting. Boxing puts 12 guys on a card but there's only one real fight. The other 11 fights are guys fighting punch bags. They may as well be punch bags. One fight is semi-evenly matched and the other 11 are pointless, whereas in the UFC, you don’t know what you're going to get.“