Marcin Tybura expresses his hope for a resolution in the UFC heavyweight title situation, advocating for a unification bout between current champion Jon Jones and interim titleholder Tom Aspinall.
In a conversation with MMA Fighting ahead of his UFC London fight against Mick Parkin, veteran heavyweight Marcin Tybura addressed the ongoing public discussion between Jones and Aspinall regarding a potential matchup. This discussion was recently complicated by reports of Jones requesting six months to prepare for Aspinall.
“There are a couple of ways to look at it,” Tybura commented. “On one hand, Jon Jones` presence elevates the heavyweight division. He`s a major star in the UFC and brings significant attention. So, having him involved is beneficial for the division.”
“However,” Tybura continued, “Tom Aspinall has earned the right to compete for the undisputed championship. What we`re seeing now is a bit of gamesmanship outside the octagon, attempts to gain a psychological edge. It seems like Jones is employing these tactics, and Aspinall is responding somewhat.”
After a long-awaited move to heavyweight, Jones captured the vacant title in March 2023 by defeating Ciryl Gane. His first title defense came in November 2024, where he dominated and finished Stipe Miocic. Aspinall claimed the interim title in November 2023 with a victory over Sergei Pavlovich and defended it against Curtis Blaydes in July 2024, finishing both opponents impressively quickly.
“I really want to see this fight happen,” Tybura stated. “It would be a massive event, a huge fight. The longer it takes, the more anticipation builds, and that also benefits Tom. He’s already a well-known fighter, but not on the same level as Jon yet. Being associated with Jon Jones elevates his profile. Hopefully, we`ll see it happen soon.”
Tybura is returning to The O2 Arena, nearly two years after his main event fight against Aspinall, which he lost in the first round by submission. Having faced Aspinall and witnessed Jones` long reign at light heavyweight, Tybura remains neutral in predicting a winner for a potential Jones vs. Aspinall fight.
“I don’t have a favorite in that fight,” Tybura admitted. “Jon Jones is incredibly talented and possesses a certain magic. But Tom is phenomenal in his own right. His movement and abilities are incredible. The exciting thing about this fight is that the outcome is truly unpredictable.”
With former UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz also on the UFC London card, Tybura anticipates strong support from the Polish fans, despite facing a British fighter.
“I’m very excited and grateful to still be competing at this high level,” Tybura said. “To be back in London with the fans is great, as it hasn`t happened often recently. I appreciate fighting in London because it`s close to Poland, and I expect a large Polish fanbase. It’s a significant event for Polish fans, and there`s a large Polish community in London. I’m hoping for a big Polish crowd.”
Tybura is coming off a win against Jhonata Diniz, bouncing back from a loss to Serghei Spivac. He now faces another undefeated and promising fighter. While many fighters focus on ranking progression, Tybura prefers a day-by-day approach and aims to deliver exciting performances for the fans.
“My reaction to the fight offer was the usual ‘OK, I agree’,” Tybura explained. “I don`t choose opponents or make grand career plans. I take things as they come, focus on preparing for each fight, and strive to be the best fighter I can be. Every opponent is a challenge. Mick, with his 10-0 record and training with top-level fighters, is definitely a dangerous opponent. But challenge is what it is.”
“I believe I still need to earn my way to the top, and I`m fine with that,” he added. “Competing in London against this kind of opponent offers a chance to gain attention if I win impressively. I don`t pre-plan callouts. It’s usually spontaneous. If I feel like calling someone out after the fight, I will, but I don’t plan it in advance. The heavyweight division is full of challenges. If I do my job, opportunities will definitely arise.”
