UFC Interim Titles: Tom Aspinall, Jon Jones, And The Controversial ‘Runner-up For Prom Queen’ Comparison
The saga of interim titles has again ignited debates and controversies. In the middle of it all is Tom Aspinall, a rising MMA star whose career goals have hit a stumbling block in his quest to become the best heavyweight fighter.
The interim UFC heavyweight title was a clear stepping stone for Aspinall to his ultimate goal—the undisputed championship. But destiny had its own way. The interim title win by Aspinall against Sergei Pavlovich lost some significance after the Jones injury.
The narrative surrounding the interim titles has always been a mixed bag. Although they help keep the divisions going without a reigning champion, their importance often gets called into question. Aspinall is in a precarious position with the gold belt, which may not have as much weight as he wanted.
The comparison made by some in the MMA community comparing Aspinall to a ‘runner-up for prom queen’ highlights how vague interim titles are. Just like the runner-up who finishes second, Aspinall finds himself on the sidelines as the focus of the spotlight remains on reigning champion Jones.
The heavyweight division is dominated by the shadow of one of the greatest MMA fighters in history, Jones. The fact that he is not in Octagon also contributes to the uncertainty of Aspinall’s future. Despite all of Jones’ calls for a unification bout, it does not look like he will take on the interim champion any time soon.
However, the situation is compounded by the pending legacy bout between Jones and Stipe Miocic. As two future Hall of Famers set to meet in the squared circle, Aspinall is left wondering where he fits into this equation. With all the attention given to Jones and Miocic for their high-profile clash, Aspinall’s dream of proving he is the best heavyweight in MMA hangs by a thread.
However, the controversy concerning interim titles does not only revolve around Aspinall’s case. The critics of interim championships come from fighters, coaches, and managers alike because it is unclear what the UFC is trying to achieve.
Interim titles are used to maintain the divisions, but they lose their worth when no tangible path of reconciliation exists in the near future. The situation of Aspinall shows that there are deformities built into the system because, after winning an interim championship, nobody knows what he or she will do in the future.
Amid the fog of confusion, Aspinall has a faint ray. Although it could be difficult for him to defend his interim title, this might open the way to a more profitable career. Managers have pointed out that interim champions are often on par with undisputed champions, providing silver linings during troubled times.
Still, an ultimate goal is just out of reach for Aspinall. To secure his position as the greatest heavyweight, he knows that he needs to fight against Jon Jones or Stipe Miocic in the octagon. Anything other than that would leave his fight incomplete, a mere footnote to the annals of MMA history.
The unfolding of the saga on interim titles keeps shining at Tom Aspinall as he seeks validation. It remains to be seen whether he will finally have his chance at winning an undisputed championship or disappear into the void. However, one thing is for sure: in the volatile world of UFC heavyweight division, nothing comes on silver plate.
