Jon Jones may struggle Tom Aspinall. For a worth.
The UFC heavyweight champion recorded his first profitable protection of that title Saturday at UFC 309, walloping Stipe Miocic in the principle occasion en path to a third-round knockout of the long run Corridor of Famer. Jones’ efficiency proved he’s nonetheless among the best pound-for-pound fighters on the earth, which leaves him with loads of choices for his subsequent struggle.
Because the promotion’s interim heavyweight champion, Aspinall looks like the logical alternative, however Jones has often shut down the suggestion that he’s beneath any obligation to struggle the British star. Throughout struggle week, Jones went so far as to say that Aspinall is “an asshole” and that’s why he refuses to work with him.
Jones was requested to elaborate on that stance on the UFC 309 post-fight presser.
“He’s annoying to me,” Jones stated. “He’s annoying to me and that’s my very own private—he annoys me. I get it you guys discover it entertaining, however I discover him annoying. I simply don’t like him and on the finish of the day, if I give him the chance to struggle me, I need to be so compensated-I need to say it, I would like that ‘f*ck you’ cash, truthfully. That’s simply what it’s.
“Or else my life is ideal with out him. I don’t want him in any respect and he wants me and that’s a very good place to be in a negotiation.”
Jones didn’t give the vary of compensation that might persuade him to struggle Aspinall, solely saying that it’s “a really, very excessive quantity.”
After including one other spectacular win to his all-time nice legacy, Jones feels he’s accountable for this chapter of his profession. He prefers a struggle with present mild heavyweight champion Alex Pereira, however UFC CEO Dana White lately shot that down saying he’d prefer to see Jones struggle Aspinall first.
Jones insists {that a} superfight with Pereira is the best way to go.
“I’m not likely frightened in regards to the Tom struggle,” Jones stated. “I’m actually frightened in regards to the Pereira struggle. That’s what I need to do. I feel if the UFC needs to have me again, then I feel that’s the struggle they’ll make. I’ve been actually clear about my intentions. That’s what I would like.
“I simply really feel like anyone would perceive at this level. Like, I’ll retire the heavyweight belt if I’ve to. Give the man what he needs on the finish of the day. I’m not speaking about Dana straight. I need to take what I discover to be superfights. I don’t need to struggle harmful up-and-comers anymore. I need to struggle harmful established champions. So Tom can have the heavyweight championship, I don’t actually care about it. My worth doesn’t lie in belts anymore. I’ve created one thing larger. I would like Pereira.”
Pereira had among the best years in MMA historical past, defending his mild heavyweight title with three memorable knockouts and creating a status for being the UFC’s go-to man when it got here to discovering a headliner on less-than-ideal discover. “Poatan” has additionally recommended he’d prefer to struggle Jones.
Ought to Jones not get his method, he’s blissful to take his ball and go residence.
“Kinds make matchups,” Jones stated. “I’m positive Pereira’s knocked out many heavyweights in his day. He has knockout energy that’s larger than weight. Pereira’s particular and for me, it could simply be price my whereas preventing in opposition to Pereira. Individuals can name me ‘a duck’ and ‘a rooster,’ I’m going to go residence and money an enormous examine. The duck and rooster factor is form of humorous.
“That’s form of what I would like and if it doesn’t line up, then professing my love for Jesus in entrance of everyone tonight and telling the world how proud I’m to be an American champion and preventing in entrance of [President Elect Donald Trump], man, if that was my final struggle ever than I’m cool with that. That was the one to do it. … I feel one of many actually good issues about negotiating is being keen to stroll away from a deal and that’s the deal that I would like. If that’s not what the followers need, then I assume I’ll say, ‘Sayonara.’”
