Marcin Tybura hopes for a unification bout between UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones and interim champion Tom Aspinall to resolve the title picture confusion, while he prepares to face unbeaten Mick Parkin at UFC London, expressing excitement about competing in front of a supportive Polish crowd.
Marcin Tybura is eager for the UFC heavyweight title confusion to end with a unification bout between champion Jon Jones and interim champ Tom Aspinall.
Tybura, facing unbeaten Mick Parkin this weekend at UFC London, discussed with MMA Fighting the prolonged public dialogue between Jones and Aspinall. This week, it got more interesting as Jones reportedly requested six months to prep for Aspinall.
“I feel like there’s a couple of different approaches about this,” Tybura said. “Heavyweight division feels better with Jon Jones because he brings attention, he’s a big star right now in the UFC, and I think it’s better to still have him.”
He added, “On the other hand, I think Tom deserves to fight for the real belt. They’re using out-of-the-octagon tactics against each other. Get under your skin, make it tough—that’s what Jones seems to be doing now, and Tom too.”
Jones moved up to heavyweight after much anticipation, claiming a vacant title by defeating Ciryl Gane in March 2023. He defended it in November 2024, dominating Stipe Miocic. Aspinall snagged an interim belt in November 2023 against Sergei Pavlovich and defended it against Curtis Blaydes in July 2024, finishing both fights swiftly.
“I’m really hoping this [fight] will happen,” Tybura said. “It’ll be huge. The longer it takes, the more attention it gets. Also good for Tom—his name next to Jon Jones’ boosts his profile. Hope we see it soon.”
Tybura returns to The O2 Arena less than two years after losing to Aspinall via first-round submission. Having fought one and watched the other dominate at light heavyweight, Tybura remains undecided on predicting a winner.
“I don’t have a favorite,” Tybura remarked. “Jon Jones is phenomenal; he has magic in his hands. But Tom—crazy how he moves, what he does. This fight’s excitement lies in its unpredictability.”
With ex-UFC champ Jan Blachowicz co-headlining UFC London against Carlos Ulberg, Tybura expects strong support from Polish fans despite facing an English opponent.
“Very excited to compete at this level for so long,” Tybura expressed. “Back here again with an audience—it’s rare lately. London’s close to home; lots of Polish fans here. It’s exciting… A big card for Polish fans with many living here in London. Hoping for a big Polish crowd.”
Tybura rebounded from a loss to Serghei Spivac by stopping unbeaten Jhonata Diniz and now faces another rising talent with a perfect record. Unlike most fighters who look up the rankings when booking fights, Tybura lives day by day—hoping to deliver excitement for fans.
“My reaction [to the fight offer] was ‘OK, I agree,’” Tybura shared. “I never pick fights or plan my career big time. I take things as they come and focus on preparing and being my best self in fights. Mick is 10-0—a dangerous opponent training with top guys. A challenge is a challenge.”
“I think now is a time that I still have to earn it and that’s cool with me,” he added. “Such an event here in London against such an opponent can bring me attention if we win well… I don’t usually plan callouts; it’s spontaneous. If I feel like naming names post-fight, I do it but don’t plan ahead. Plenty of challenges remain in the heavyweight division—if I do my job, something will come up.”