Marcin Tybura hopes the confusion surrounding the UFC heavyweight title photo will end in a unified match between champion Jon Jones and interim champion Tom Aspinall.
This weekend, veteran heavyweight Tybera, facing undefeated talent Mick Perkin at UFC London, spoke about fighting the long public between Jones and Aspinel.
“I feel like there are several different approaches to this,” Tybera said. “It’s mixed in because John Jones is getting attention, and I still feel the heavyweight division is better. He’s a bigger star in the UFC right now and I think it’s better to still have him.
“The other hand, I think Tom, I think it’s fair that he fights for the right belt. And now they’re using a bit of each other’s all octagon tools. somehow get under your skin and make it difficult for you, I think that’s what you’re trying to do now.”
Jones moved to heavyweight after years of predictions, claiming a vacant title in March 2023, beating Cyril Gain. Aspinall won Sergei Pavlovich in November 2023 and had to defend it against Curtis Blaydes in July 2024, finishing both men in under 70 seconds.
“I really hope this (the fight) happens,” Tybera said. “And that’s a huge battle, it’s a huge battle. It takes a very long time. It pays more attention. And I think it will give Tom more attention. Tom is certainly a big name, but not as big as John.
Tybura returns to the O2 Arena, less than two years after facing Aspinall in the UFC Fight Night main event. Fighting one man, seeing the other reign at the light heavyweight for a long time, Tibra stays on the fence when predicting the winner.
“I don’t have any favorites for this,” Tybera said. “John Jones is incredible and I think he has a spell on his hand. But Tom, crazy. What this guy can do is how this guy can move. The excitement of this fight is that you don’t know who will win.”
Former UFC champion Jan Blachowicz expects the 38-year-old heavyweight to be supported by a massive Polish crowd despite facing British heavyweight Saturday in co-headlining with UFC London’s Carlos Ulberg this week.
“I’m very excited and very excited that I can still compete at such a level for a long time,” Tybera said. “And to go back here again and compete with the audience, that’s not often these days. I love this place because London is so close to my home and there are a lot of Polish fans. This is all exciting. … A big card for Polish fans. There are a lot of Poles living in London.
Tybura has now taken on another rising talent with a halt of unbeaten Jhonata Diniz in his most recent match, rebounding from a loss to Serghei Spivac, and now takes on another rising talent with a perfect record. Most MMA fighters simply look up the rankings when booking a fight, but Taibera chooses to go live every day.
“My reaction (when offered a fight) was like usual. It was, ‘OK, I agree,'” Tybura said. “I don’t choose to fight, I don’t have any major plans for my career. I usually just leave it as is and try to do my part.
“I think it’s still a time to get it and that’s cool for me,” he added. “I don’t mind that. Such an event in London with an opponent like this is something that we can pay attention to if we win in a very good way. …I didn’t make a plan to call someone. It’s usually more spontaneous. I’d like to say some names after the fight.