Nov 11, 2023; New York, NY, USA; Tom Aspinall (blue gloves) prepares to fight Sergei Pavlovich (red gloves) during UFC 295 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

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Who Can Face Tom Aspinall If Jon Jones Is Stripped Of The Title?

In this article, we discuss who can potentially fight Tom Aspinall if he Jon Jones vacates or gets stripped of the title.

Nov 11, 2023; New York, NY, USA; Tom Aspinall (blue gloves) prepares to fight Sergei Pavlovich (red gloves) during UFC 295 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

The UFC heavyweight division finds itself in a peculiar spot right now. Jon Jones sits on the undisputed throne while Tom Aspinall holds the interim belt, creating one of the most awkward title situations in recent memory. Jones seems more interested in other ventures than defending against the hungry Brit, leaving fans wondering what happens next.

This mess started when Jones returned from his three-year hiatus to dominate Ciryl Gane at UFC 285, claiming the vacant heavyweight crown. Meanwhile, Aspinall has been tearing through contenders with surgical precision, earning his interim status by stopping Sergei Pavlovich in devastating fashion. The problem is that Jones appears to have zero interest in unifying the titles, preferring to chase legacy fights or simply walk away. If ‘Bones’ does vacate, the UFC needs to find someone worthy of stepping into the octagon with Britain’s most dangerous heavyweight! Let us take a look at who can take on the interim champion in case of a vacant title.

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4. Sergei Pavlovich

The Russian knockout artist deserves another shot at gold after his brutal encounter with Aspinall went sideways quickly. Pavlovich had been steamrolling through the division with his thunderous hands, collecting five straight finishes before meeting the interim champion. His power however, remains absolutely terrifying.

ANOTHER first round KO for Sergei Pavlovich 💪 #UFCVegas71 pic.twitter.com/VH6e9SJl5a
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) April 23, 2023

What makes Pavlovich interesting is his ability to end fights instantly. The guy doesn’t need perfect technique when he can separate souls from bodies with one clean shot. His loss to Aspinall came down to timing and positioning rather than any fundamental weakness. Given how quickly heavyweight fights can change direction, a rematch could produce fireworks. He recently won his fight against Jairzinho Rozestruik.

3. Ciryl Gane

The French technician sits pretty at number two in the rankings, making him the logical choice from a purely divisional standpoint. Gane brings a unique skill set to heavyweight with his kickboxing background and surprisingly smooth movement for such a big man. His recent decision win over Alexander Volkov keeps him in the conversation, even though many observers thought he lost that fight.

Cet angle du finish de Ciryl Gane sur Tai Tuivasa lors du dernier #UFCParis 🤯

pic.twitter.com/hWcyqAHZq4
— La Sueur (@LaSueur_off) August 28, 2023

Gane’s biggest selling point is his fresh matchup potential with Aspinall. These two have never shared the octagon, which feels rare in today’s heavyweight landscape where everyone seems to have fought everyone else. The Frenchman’s striking arsenal could pose problems for Aspinall, especially if he can keep the fight standing and use his reach advantage. However, Gane’s performances against elite competition leave some doubts.

2. Alexander Volkov

Here’s where things get spicy. Most people watching UFC 310 thought Volkov clearly beat Gane, including Dana White himself. The Russian veteran has been quietly building an impressive resume, with quality wins over former champions and top contenders. His size, reach, and improved wrestling make him a legitimate threat to anyone in the division.

ALEXANDER VOLKOV BY EZEKIEL CHOKE, WOOOOOW 😱#UFC293

pic.twitter.com/CyBEwgsDT4
— La Sueur (@LaSueur_off) September 10, 2023

The elephant in the room is Volkov’s previous meeting with Aspinall, which ended badly for the Russian. Aspinall needed just one round to submit him with a slick armlock. But heavyweight fights are weird like that. Styles clash differently on different nights. Volkov has shown growth since that loss, particularly in his grappling defense and fight IQ. His veteran experience and recent run of success could justify another title shot, especially if other options fall through.

1. Alex Pereira

Now we’re talking about the nuclear option. Pereira jumping straight to heavyweight for a title shot would be classic UFC chaos. And honestly, it might be exactly what the division needs. The Brazilian knockout artist has already conquered two weight classes and brings legitimate star power that none of the other options can match.

This angle of Alex Pereira KO’ing Jamahal Hill 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/rMD3AcEdiH
— 𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙤💫 (@sinoUFC) June 15, 2024

Pereira recently lost his light heavyweight belt to Magomed Ankalaev via decision, but his reputation as a finisher transcends any single result. The size difference with Aspinall would be significant, but this man who carries dynamite in both hands. His left hook has ended careers across multiple divisions, and heavyweight power tends to be the great equalizer. The promotional possibilities write themselves: first-ever three-division champion, David versus Goliath storyline, and two of the most dangerous strikers on the planet.

Moreover, he doesn’t have any obligation to take that rematch at light heavyweight against Ankalaev. If the opportunity comes where he can move up and face the interim heavyweight champion, he will probably do that in a heartbeat!

(Image Credit: Wendell Cruz – Imagn Images)

Alex Pereira

Alexander Volkov

Ciryl Gane

Jon Jones

Sergei Pavlovich

Tom Aspinall

Zaid Quraishi

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I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!