After being present all fight week, not knowing if his services as a backup fighter would be needed at the last moment, Aspinall leaves New York with more confidence that the next time he and Jones step into the octagon, it will be to unify the heavyweight title.

The UFC heavyweight champion protected his spot at the apex of mixed martial arts on Saturday night and moved to endear some more fans with a dominant win over Stipe Miocic, delivering a roundhouse kick to Miocic’s gut with his left leg that crumbled Miocic to the mat in the third round.

Jon Jones sent Stipe Miocic into retirement with a stunning back kick to the ribs and used a series of blows to the head in the third round to retain the UFC heavyweight championship in front of President-elect Donald Trump in the main event of UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden on Saturday night.