Forward of his UFC 309 return subsequent month, heavyweight titleholder, Jon Jones has as soon as extra performed down the probabilities of a title unification struggle with Tom Aspinall subsequent, as an alternative claiming he would welcome the possibility to tackle mild heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira ought to he prevail at Madison Sq. Backyard.
Jones, a former undisputed mild heavyweight champion twice below the banner of the UFC, will put his heavyweight crown on the road subsequent weekend in New York, with the Rochester native welcoming former two-time divisional gold holder, Stipe Miocic again to the Octagon for the primary time since 2021.
Sidelined by way of damage since March of final yr, former pound-for-pound primary, Jon Jones has but to enter the Octagon since touchdown the vacant title with a shocking first spherical win over former interim gold holder, Ciryl Gane, submitting the Frenchman with a dominant guillotine choke submission.
And within the time throughout Jon Jones‘ layoff, British heavyweight, Aspinall has since landed an interim title with a knockout of Sergei Pavlovich, and defended it efficiently earlier this summer time with one other strikes win over Curtis Blaydes of their title rematch.
Jon Jones prefers Alex Pereira matchup after UFC 309 return
And accused of purposely avoiding a title unification assembly with Aspinall, Jones doesn’t look like fascinated with a future conflict subsequent, as an alternative figuring out a pairing with present mild heavyweight finest, Pereira as a likelier opponent ought to he proceed preventing after UFC 309.
“Greater than possible not,” Jones informed Kevin Iole when requested if he would struggle Aspinall after UFC 309. “I really feel like Tom Aspinall is, I don’t wish to say no one, however he simply hasn’t confirmed something. He hasn’t performed something. I perceive he received his belt in opposition to Sergei, and Sergei simply received slaughtered by another person, so it’s like, I’m not right here to gamble another person making a reputation off of me.”
“If there have been to be a struggle of a man that’s nonetheless on our UFC roster that might be not solely financially price it, however legacy price it, it will be Alex Pereira,” Jones stated. “We’re each 37 years outdated. Proper now, I weigh about 235. I’m an extremely mild heavyweight. I believe Pereira walks round at 240. I believe that struggle would go a lot farther on my legacy than a younger man who’s cool at the moment, and could also be gone tomorrow.
