Aspinall works in silence while Jones’ return remains a mystery

Tom Aspinall trains - but not for anyone in particular. As the UFC continues to weigh in on the most important heavyweight fight of the decade, the one against Jon Jones, the English interim champion is not letting his form rust. Although the anticipated clash seems far away, Aspinall is not resting, but is using this period to perfect his repertoire – freed from the confines of typical fight preparation.

- I only spar to get better. I don't spar to prepare for a match, and that's really interesting to me. I don't have to work according to any gamma plan. I can only work on new techniques, little things that I'm currently developing, Aspinall said in the latest video posted on social media.

It is this freedom - without a time frame and without a specific opponent - that allows him to breathe as a fighter and develop technically, tactically and mentally. All the things that are often neglected in timed preparations in favor of specific tactics for a specific style of opponent

– When you’re in camp, you spar against your opponent, you focus on what he does well. Now I’m not in eight, ten or twelve weeks of camp. I just spar and do what I want, and that suits me.

Jon Jones

Jon Jones, on the other hand, seems like an enigma in the exchange of messages – one time he says he’s coming back, another time he mentions another six months off. The UFC is silent. Jones is negotiating. And Aspinall – working. Quietly, but methodically. Whenever the fight comes, one thing is clear – Tom will not meet the opportunity unprepared.

There is no doubt that the two of them attract enormous attention, and that it will be quite interesting to see in which direction their future will go. Fans are wondering if that fight will happen at all, which could break all previously set records.