If Jon Jones plans to struggle once more after dealing with Stipe Miocic at UFC 309, he solely has one choice and that’s a showdown with interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall.
That’s in keeping with UFC CEO Dana White, who responded to Jones’ feedback main as much as his struggle on Saturday the place he’s repeatedly shut down a possible struggle in opposition to Aspinall and as a substitute favored a matchup with UFC gentle heavyweight champion Alex Pereira. Jones even went so far as saying Aspinall is “such an assh*le that I don’t wish to do enterprise with him.”
“He’s not combating Pereira,” White informed Jim Rome when requested about Jones’ plans for the long run. “[Pereira] was a middleweight that moved as much as gentle heavyweight. He’s additionally a kickboxer who has performed very, very nicely in MMA. His wrestling isn’t even close to the extent of Jon Jones and Jon Jones is means greater than him.
“If Jon Jones needs to struggle once more after Saturday evening, he’ll struggle Tom Aspinall.”
That’s nice information for Aspinall, who’s at the moment in New York to play the backup for the struggle between Jones and Miocic on Saturday,
Aspinall claimed the interim heavyweight title nearly precisely one 12 months in the past after Jones suffered a torn pectoral muscle that pressured him to delay the struggle in opposition to Miocic. Within the meantime, Aspinall defended his interim belt with a surprising first-round knockout over Curtis Blaydes again in July.
Since then, Aspinall has repeatedly known as for the struggle in opposition to Jones whereas stating that he’s dealing with Miocic for the “most disputed title” within the UFC.
All the things Aspinall mentioned has solely brought on Jones to dig in his heels that rather more at any time when he addresses the potential struggle however White says that’s the one matchup he’s prepared to make.
“Jon’s bizarre in how he offers with any such stuff,” White mentioned. “Like he’ll present up for a struggle like this, he’ll be ready mentally, bodily, and every thing else after which when the struggle’s over, he kind of goes and disappears and he needs to problem himself once more and Tom Aspinall is there. He’s doing the entire ‘he doesn’t deserve it’ … however Jon when was 23 years outdated and he grew to become the youngest champion ever, anyone gave him the chance for greatness. I feel Jon will finally come again and face Tom Aspinall.
“But when he decides Saturday evening that’s it, it’s over, it’s his proper to make that call. What this man has achieved, no one else has even come near carrying out and he’s the best of all time. So we’ll see.”
White is reasonably adamant when addressing Jones both taking the Aspinall struggle or calling it a profession however he refuses to consider that the reigning UFC heavyweight champion is definitely ducking anyone.
That narrative has plagued Jones within the days main as much as his struggle in opposition to Miocic however White guarantees that couldn’t be farther from the reality.
“For anyone to say he’s ducking anyone, Jon Jones is like 37, 38 years outdated, he’s fought everyone,” White mentioned. “He’s fought all one of the best on the earth, of their prime, been doing it since he was 23 years outdated. He doesn’t duck. And he’s undefeated, he’s by no means misplaced a struggle, which is unbelievable in like 16 years.”
For all of the methods Jones has refused to even acknowledge Aspinall as a possible opponent, White received’t shut the door on that struggle truly taking place down the street.
If Jones wins on Saturday, White expects him to take a while off earlier than deciding whether or not or not he needs to compete once more. Assuming Jones needs to return for an additional struggle, White is assured he’ll tackle Aspinall.
“That’s basic Jon Jones proper there. Basic Jon Jones,” White mentioned. “Jon will do what he does on Saturday, if he wins, he’ll disappear for some time after which that aggressive spirit will begin effervescent up once more after which cash will discuss. If he doesn’t determine to retire, he completely, positively fights Aspinall.
