Tom Aspinall is set to be a backup fighter at UFC 309, but he might also put in some work as a pitch man while he’s there.

When Jon Jones returns to defend his heavyweight title against fellow legend Stipe Miocic in the Nov. 16 main event at Madison Square Garden, Aspinall will be on hand to step in should either fighter be unable to make to the cage on fight night. Regardless of the result, Aspinall—the interim heavyweight champion—would like to face the winner, assuming that this doesn’t prove to be the final fight for both headliners.

Aspinall plans to do his part to convince either Jones or Miocic to put off their retirement plans and make the walk at least one more time.

“What’s the plan?” Aspinall said on his YouTube channel. “Turn up, do some media, cause a few scenes here and there, and try and make the winner stick around and fight me, hopefully.”

Since Jones’ most recent fight, a dominant win over Ciryl Gane in March 2023 to capture a vacant belt, Aspinall has claimed an interim title and successfully defended it once. Despite his success, the No. 1 heavyweight in MMA Fighting’s Global Rankings enters UFC 309 with no assurance he’ll get the chance to face the undisputed champion.

Aspinall is excited to see his potential opponents in action, at the very least. Having made his UFC debut in July 2020, Aspinall hasn’t had many opportunities to see Jones or Miocic from a cageside seat with the pair having fought a combined three times since then.

“Just see what happens, really,” Aspinall said. “I’m really interested how both guys look in the fight, that’s really interesting for me, up close. Especially up close because it’s a little bit different than on the TV. I want to go up close and see what these guys look like in live action, do you know what I mean?

“How are they moving? What are they doing? You can see little differences in real life than you can on the TV and I’m looking forward to that.”

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TOP STORIES

Out. A bone infection in his foot has forced Belal Muhammad off of UFC 310.

Happy Trails. Former UFC featherweight champion Germaine de Randamie announced her retirement after 25 years of fighting.

Thanks. Derrick Lewis signed a new UFC deal, one that may have been boosted by PFL’s interest in him for a Francis Ngannou rematch.

Intervention. Brendan Schaub looks back at the moment Joe Rogan changed his life forever.

Still Beefing? Derrick Lewis had strong words for Daniel Cormier... even if it’s unclear exactly what the issue is.

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VIDEO STEW

Between the Links.

Derrick Lewis and Mike Heck.

Alexander Volkanovski in Abu Dhabi.

Just bleed, obviously.

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SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE

Who wants some?

Ian Machado Garry, that’s who.

And maybe Kamaru Usman.

And definitely Joaquin Buckley.

I chuckled.

Real talk: Coyote -2000

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FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Payton Talbott (9-0) vs. Raoni Barcelos (18-5); UFC 311, Jan. 18

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FINAL THOUGHTS

The UFC is back in Canada for the first time since January, and in Edmonton for the first time since July 2019. Let’s hope for the country’s sake that it’s more like UFC 289 in Vancouver (all the Canadians won!) and less like UFC 297 (Jasmine Jasudavicius and Gillian Robertson delivered, all the Canadian men lost!).

There are NINE fighters representing Canada on Saturday. Surely, they’ll come out with a better than .500 record, right?

Right, eh?

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EXIT POLL

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