UFC CEO Dana White is hopeful his heavyweight championship belt will get unified subsequent 12 months.
After Tom Aspinall registered a powerful 60-second interim title protection in opposition to Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304 on Saturday in Manchester, England, acquainted questions as soon as once more bubbled up about whether or not the Brit will get the prospect to unify the strap with Jon Jones or Stipe Miocic, who’re anticipated to conflict for the heavyweight belt at UFC 309 on Nov. 9 in New York.
The matchup between Jones (27-1 MMA, 21-1 UFC) and Miocic (20-4 MMA, 14-4 UFC) was first scheduled for this previous November, however was known as off when Jones suffered a shoulder harm that required surgical procedure. He hasn’t fought since, however is on the comeback path. White has stood agency on plans for that pairing regardless of Aspinall (15-3 MMA, 8-1 UFC) claiming and now defending the interim belt since Jones final stepped within the cage, however what occurs after that bout lastly occurs, stays a thriller.
Each Jones, 37, and Miocic, 41, have alluded to the chance they are going to retire from MMA whatever the end result as soon as they struggle, which has precipitated frustration Aspinall and far of the MMA group. White mentioned he doesn’t know what’s going to occur, however admits he wouldn’t be thrilled if a double retirement got here to life.
“If each retire? F*cking that’ll suck,” White informed MMA Junkie and different reporters on the UFC 304 post-fight information convention. “That’ll suck. I don’t know what we’ll do if that occurs.”
At this level, White mentioned he can solely function off hunches and guesswork. In his greatest estimation, although, if Jones wins in opposition to Miocic, it’s going to be laborious to disregard the rising requires a unification showdown with Aspinall, who many, together with longtime rival Daniel Cormier, thinks is the largest risk to offer “Bones” his first true defeat in MMA competitors.
“Jon Jones is not any dummy,” White mentioned. “Jon Jones has a really excessive struggle IQ. He is aware of what Aspinall’s bought and what he’s about. I believe we’re going to should see what occurs on this struggle with Stipe, see the place Jon’s head is. Or, if Stipe wins, see the place his head is and see what they wish to do. Is it their final struggle? Are they going to retire?
“I believe if Stipe wins, he most likely will (retire). However I believe if Jon Jones wins, I simply suppose that aggressive spirit that he has and his want to show to the world that he’s the very best (will make him struggle). Particularly when persons are saying that (Aspinall) might probably be the very best ever. I believe that’s the sort of sh*t that fires Jon Jones up.
“… There’s little doubt about it (that struggle is getting greater). There’s little doubt, whoever wins the struggle between Jon Jones and Stipe, is a good struggle for Aspinall.”
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