Dana White would possibly simply be working towards the artwork of constructive affirmation as a result of he’s sure regardless of who walks out with the heavyweight title at UFC 309, the winner will transfer on to face interim champion Tom Aspinall subsequent.
The showdown between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic has been anticipated for over a 12 months after they have been booked to fulfill in November 2023 till a torn pectoral muscle suffered by Jones delayed the struggle. In Jones’ absence, Aspinall develop into interim champion however White and the UFC have been adamant about Jones nonetheless dealing with Miocic in a battle between two all-time greats.
There was loads of discuss of Jones, Miocic or each of them probably retiring after their struggle concludes on Nov. 16, however White continues to imagine that the winner gained’t stroll away with out giving Aspinall his likelihood to unify the titles.
“I really imagine that whoever wins this struggle, simply competitively the best way that these guys are wired and the explanation that they’re each huge legends within the sport, they’re not going to simply journey off into the sundown with out settling the dispute with Tom Aspinall,” White advised TNT Sports activities.
Aspinall has repeatedly known as out Jones, who claimed a vacant heavyweight title with a fast submission of Ciryl Gane again in March 2023. In response, Jones largely scoffed at Aspinall’s calls for whereas staying steadfast that he’s all the time wished to face Miocic, who holds the file for many profitable title defenses (4) at heavyweight in UFC historical past.
Whereas Miocic gained’t make any dedication about his future till after he fights at UFC 309, Jones has publicly hinted at his personal retirement quite a few instances. Regardless of that, White believes that Jones and Miocic respect the game sufficient to offer Aspinall his alternative to develop into an undisputed champion earlier than hanging up the gloves.
“When you concentrate on Jon Jones changing into the youngest champion in [UFC] historical past and all of the issues that Stipe achieved, they got alternatives after they have been younger,” White mentioned. “I believe that they’ll reciprocate.”
Aspinall plans on sitting cageside for the occasion and he’s additionally weighing in because the backup, though it stays to be seen if Jones or Miocic would really conform to face him on brief discover if catastrophe struck throughout struggle week.
For his half, White is aware of that both fighter finally taking up Aspinall would do enormous enterprise for the UFC and he’s not giving up hope on making it occur.
“Individuals will lose their f*cking minds if both a kind of fights occur,” White mentioned. “Stipe or Jon Jones [against Tom Aspinall].”
