Paddy Pimblett, a rising UFC lightweight star, recently shared his thoughts on a potential heavyweight title fight between his friend Tom Aspinall and champion Jon Jones. Speaking in a Liverpool interview, Pimblett said he can’t pick against Jones’ perfect record but believes Aspinall has the power to cause an upset. With both fighters eyeing a clash in late 2025, Pimblett’s comments add excitement to this heavyweight matchup.
Paddy Pimblett joined the UFC in 2021 after dominating in Cage Warriors, where he won the featherweight title. He’s undefeated in the UFC with a 7-0 record, including a third-round TKO over Michael Chandler at UFC 314 on April 12, 2025, in Miami. Now ranked No. 8 in the lightweight division, Pimblett’s exciting style and charisma have made him a fan favorite in the U.K.
Pimblett is close friends with Tom Aspinall, the UFC interim heavyweight champion and a fellow U.K. fighter. They’ve trained together and share roots in the British MMA scene. Aspinall won the interim title with a first-round knockout of Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304 in July 2024 and defended it against Marcin Tybura in March 2025. Despite their friendship, Pimblett sides with Jones in a potential fight.
Pimblett’s Take on Jones vs. Aspinall
In a recent Liverpool interview, Pimblett explained why he favors Jon Jones over Aspinall.
“I love Aspinall, lad. He’s my mate and all, but I can just never pick against Jon Jones,” he said. “We’ve never seen him get beat. I think now if anyone’s going to beat him it is Aspinall. Aspinall could just knock him out and come out with his hands and knock him clean out.”
Pimblett’s respect for Jones comes from his long history of success.
“I just never picked against Jon Jones. I’ve been watching Jon Jones since he became champ,” he said. He praised Jones’ strategy, noting, “It’s just the way he game plans. He finds a way to beat someone and he works on that exact thing.” Still, he recognized Aspinall’s potential, adding, “If anyone’s going to beat him it’s Aspinall.” h/t MMAMania
Jon Jones is considered one of the best MMA fighters ever, with a 27-1 record, his only loss a controversial disqualification in 2009. He won the UFC light heavyweight title in 2011 and defended it 11 times before moving to heavyweight. In March 2023, he claimed the heavyweight title with a first-round submission of Ciryl Gane at UFC 285. He defended it with a third-round TKO over Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 on November 16, 2024. Injuries have kept him out since, but he’s expected to return by late 2025.
Tom Aspinall has taken the heavyweight division by storm with a 15-3 record, finishing 14 of his wins. His speed and power led to the interim title and a successful defense. Aspinall has pushed for a title unification fight with Jones, but Jones has shown interest in fighting light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira instead, creating tension with Aspinall.
A Jones vs. Aspinall fight is one of the UFC’s most awaited matchups. Jones’ experience and adaptability meet Aspinall’s youth and knockout ability. Pimblett’s comments highlight Aspinall’s threat, as his power could end Jones’ unbeaten run. However, Jones’ knack for finding weaknesses makes him a tough challenge.
Pimblett’s loyalty to Jones shows the champion’s lasting impact, but his nod to Aspinall’s potential reflects growing support for the U.K. star. As the UFC plans for late 2025, fans are eager to see if Aspinall can upset Jones or if the champion’s legacy will hold strong.
