Marcin Tybura hopes the uncertainty surrounding the UFC heavyweight title will be resolved with a unification fight between current champion Jon Jones and interim titleholder Tom Aspinall.
Tybura, a seasoned heavyweight fighter preparing to face undefeated Mick Parkin at UFC London, discussed the ongoing public discussion between Jones and Aspinall regarding a potential matchup. This discussion was recently complicated by reports that Jones requested six months to prepare for Aspinall.
“I see a couple of angles to this,” Tybura stated. “It’s complex because Jon Jones’ presence elevates the heavyweight division. He’s a bigger star in the UFC right now, and his involvement is beneficial.”
“However,” Tybura continued, “Tom Aspinall has earned the right to compete for the undisputed championship. It seems Jones is using external tactics, trying to get under Aspinall’s skin and make things difficult. I think that’s Jones’ current strategy, and Aspinall is experiencing some of it.”
Jon Jones entered the heavyweight division after much anticipation and secured the vacant title by defeating Ciryl Gane in March 2023. He defended his title in November 2024, decisively defeating Stipe Miocic. Tom Aspinall claimed the interim title in November 2023 by defeating Sergei Pavlovich and defended it against Curtis Blaydes in July 2024, finishing both opponents quickly.
“I really hope this fight happens,” Tybura said, referring to Jones vs. Aspinall. “It would be a massive event, a truly huge fight. The longer it takes, the more attention it generates, which also benefits Tom. Tom is already a significant name, but not as big as Jon. Being associated with Jon Jones only raises his profile. I hope we see this fight soon.”
Tybura is returning to London’s O2 Arena, almost two years after his main event fight against Aspinall, which he lost in the first round. Having fought Aspinall and observed Jones’ long reign at light heavyweight, Tybura remains neutral in predicting a winner.
“I don’t have a favorite in this fight,” Tybura admitted. “Jon Jones is exceptional and possesses a certain magic. But Tom is incredible. His movement and abilities are astonishing. The excitement of this fight lies in its unpredictability.”
With former UFC champion Jan Blachowicz in the co-main event at UFC London against Carlos Ulberg, Tybura anticipates strong support from Polish fans, despite facing a British opponent on Saturday.
“I’m very excited and grateful to still compete at this high level after so long,” Tybura expressed. “And to return here and fight in front of a crowd, which hasn’t been frequent lately. I love London, it’s close to home, and there will be many Polish fans. All of this combined makes it exciting… It’s a significant event for Polish fans, and there are many Polish people living in London. I’m hoping for a large Polish turnout.”
Tybura rebounded from a loss to Serghei Spivac by defeating previously undefeated Jhonata Diniz in his last fight. Now, he faces another undefeated, up-and-coming fighter. While many fighters focus on rankings when choosing fights, Tybura prefers to take things one day at a time and aims to deliver an exciting performance for the fans.
“My reaction to being offered this fight was the usual, ‘Okay, I agree,’” Tybura said. “I never select opponents or make grand career plans. I accept things as they come and focus on preparing for fights and being the best fighter I can be. Every opponent presents a challenge. Mick is 10-0, likely a very dangerous opponent, training with top-level people. A challenge is always there.”
“I believe this is still a time for me to earn my place, and I’m fine with that,” he concluded. “I don’t mind it. Competing at such an event in London against this opponent can bring me attention if I win impressively… I haven’t planned on calling anyone out. It’s usually spontaneous. If I feel like mentioning names after the fight, I will, but I don’t pre-plan it. The heavyweight division still offers many challenges. If I do my job, opportunities will arise, for sure.”
