Aspinall Doubts Jones’ Desire For A Fight – ‘I Would Do The Same’

Tom Aspinall has questioned Jon Jones’ desire to fight him. 

Aspinall takes on Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304 as he defends his UFC Interim Heavyweight Title. Tom is hoping to avenge his loss to Blaydes, which he suffered in 2022. Before the fight, Aspinall revealed he would not defend the interim belt after Blaydes as he wanted a title shot. Dana White has also said that the winner of Aspinall-Blaydes would fight Jones or Stipe Miocic.

White Reacts

“I definitely confirmed it, definitely. Tom is the interim champion, so whoever walks out of Madison Square Garden the champion would have to face Tom. “You’ve got the greatest heavyweight of all time facing off against the greatest mixed martial artist, maybe the greatest fighter in the history of combat sports, facing the winner of Saturday night. It’s all good stuff,” White stated 

Bones is working his way back from injury, as he is expected to face Miocic. Bones pulled out of his UFC 295 defense against Miocic after injuring his pectoral muscle. Jones has already stated that a fight with Alex Pereira is much bigger than Aspinall. Pereira is a two-weight world champion and a bigger name. The fight would arguably sell more on PPV, giving Jones a bigger payday. 

“You actually think me fighting Tom would be more massive than Alex and I colliding? Tom only matters in the U.K., newsflash. Pereira is one of the most polarizing figures this sport has seen. Tom’s a contender who won a belt against another contender. We had to save Madison Square Garden’s main event. I’m thinking dollar signs, legacy, big picture here. Not what U.K. fans are dying to see. Literally just went through this with the French fans,” Jones revealed 

Aspinall Responds

While White said the winner would get a title shot, Aspinall has reason to believe that Jones does not want the fight. Those comments were seen as an attempt by Jones to duck Aspinall, as the Brit felt he was not the first choice.  

“Yeah, he might do. That’s way more likely than Jon Jones fighting me. Way more likely. Well, he’s going to get more money fighting Alex Pereira than he is me first of all and it’s an easier match-up. I’m not saying he doesn’t want to fight me, I’m saying that there’s more favorable match-ups. If the shoe was on the other foot, I would do the same,” Aspinall said 

Nevertheless, Jones could simply be building up the fight. Bones is at the latter end of his career, knowing there are not too many big fights. Wins over Miocic, Pereira and Aspinall would already strengthen his claim to being the greatest UFC fighter ever. Those fights would also set up Jones’ financial future. He already missed out on the chance to fight Francis Ngannou.

Ngannou left the UFC last year after contract talks broke down. The Predator is now with the PFL. While it is still a big fight, White has already ruled out a co-promotion with the PFL, preventing fans from seeing that. But given that Aspinall has beaten everyone else in the division, Jones must decide whether to face him, retire or vacate. Pereira has already said he would only move up to heavyweight to fight Jones for the belt. 

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