Exclusive: Tom Aspinall says prospect of fighting 'legend' Jon Jones is like 'a fire burning under me'

Tom Aspinall has told TNT Sports he will prove he is a future heavyweight champion in the making when he returns to the UFC after 12 months out injured, and has Jon Jones in his sights.

The Manchester-born heavyweight takes on Polish veteran Marcin Tybura in the main event at UFC London this weekend, which is the first major live event on TNT Sports in the UK.

Aspinall, 29, required surgery after tearing knee ligaments 15 seconds into his bout with Curtis Blaydes at the same event last July.

The injury resulted in the first defeat of Aspinall's six-fight UFC career, derailing his hopes of a shot at the heavyweight title.

On the eve of his return to the Octagon, Aspinall is ready to stake his claim for a meeting with reigning champion and UFC icon, Jones.

Jones made a triumphant return to the sport after three years to submit Ciryl Gane and win the heavyweight title at UFC 285.

And Aspinall admits the prospect of facing the American, whom he calls "an absolute legend" is like a "fire burning under me".

"The heavyweight landscape right now is the best it's ever been," Aspinall said in Tom Aspinall: My Comeback.

"We've got Jon Jones now at the top of the division. I don't like to talk about him too much because he is an absolute legend and I'm just, at this point, a contender.

"But he is the champion of my division right now and if I'm not shooting for that, then I'm wasting my time.

"That's the fire burning under me. Ultimately that's the fight I want, to take on Jon Jones for the title.

"I've got a few fights before that, of course, which I'm extremely focused on."

First up on the road to Jones is a showdown with Poland's Tybura and Aspinall is refusing to take the challenge lightly.

"A lot of people look past him but the guy has won seven of his last eight in the top 10 - not many heavyweights have that kind of win streak," said Aspinall.

"He doesn't have the flashiest style ever, but I'm taking this guy as seriously as if I was fighting Jon Jones for the heavyweight title, I'm giving it absolutely everything."

After having his momentum halted by injury, Aspinall is desperate to get back to winning ways and put that traumatic night behind him.

He said: "For me, this is by far the biggest fight of my career. I'm coming off the back of a massive injury, this guy is a very serious opponent and that's the way I'm treating him.

"I have everything to prove. I don't want to be that guy who falls on his back after 20 seconds, holding his knee. I'm not that guy.

"That was a bad night for me and it happened, but that doesn't define who I am and who I am moving forward is completely different to what happened a year ago.

"I've completely re-built myself physically and mentally. I'm 100 per cent ready to show this is a completely different me."

Aspinall headlines on a card that also includes British fan favourite, Molly McCann. 'Meatball Molly' faces Lithuanian Julija Stoliarenko looking to bounce back from defeat to American Erin Blanchfield in November.

"July 22 at the O2 is going to be a special night," said Aspinall.

"My confidence is at an all-new level that it's never been before. Now that my training and body is right, I'm better than the rest of these guys in the division.

"I'm going to come on and put on the best performance of my career.

"I want to put everyone on notice: I'm the future heavyweight champion and nothing will stand in my way."

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