Aspinall In Talks Over His Next Fight; Will It Be Jon Jones?

Tom Aspinall says he is in talks for his next fight, raising hopes that fans will finally see him take on Jon Jones. 

Aspinall is the UFC Interim Heavyweight Champion, a belt he defended successfully in his last fight against Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304. He knocked out Blaydes in the first round to avenge the only defeat of his UFC career. After that win, Aspinall made it clear that his next fight was not going to be an interim title defense.

Dana White also confirmed that he would face the winner of Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic. Jones beat Miocic at UFC 309 on November 16, as Stipe announced his retirement. Prior to the fight, Jones had played down talks over the Aspinall fight, stating that he did not need the Brit for his legacy. But in his comments since the Miocic fight, Jones has suggested that he would fight anybody, provided he is given a big purse. 

“If I give him the opportunity to fight me, I want to be so compensated-I want to say it, I want that ‘[big] ‘ money, honestly. That’s just what it is. Or else my life is perfect without him. I don’t need him at all and he needs me and that’s a good place to be in a negotiation,” Jones stated 

Aspinall Vs. Jones

Aspinall recently said he had spoken to Dana White about the fight, stating that big news would be coming soon. And now Tom has said that negotiations are underway, raising hopes that it will be Jones next. Aspinall is already in training as he prepares for what could be the biggest fight in the history of MMA. 

“Yeah, we’re in negotiations right now. That’s the honest answer. So, we don’t know when the fight is going to be. But I’ll be ready to go whenever. I’m back in the gym now. I’m back in the gym training, as always. I’ll be ready to fight when they let me know. Until then, I’ll be improving, I’ll be getting better. So, no great rush on that. Obviously, I want to fight as soon as possible. But, right now, we’re just waiting on a date. That’s it,” Aspinall said 

Will It Happen?

Nevertheless, if it is not Jones, then it is likely the American will be stripped of his heavyweight title. Jones had spoken about facing the UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira. Pereira is a two-division champion, who is coming off a stoppage victory against Khalil Roundtree Jr. at UFC 307. There were suggestions that Pereira could move up to heavyweight to take on Jones. Bones has repeatedly talked up that fight, stating it is much bigger globally.

However, Dana White distanced himself from that fight, saying it made no sense. Jones could retire if he does not face Aspinall. However, fans were disappointed when Jones never faced Francis Ngannou. They were repeatedly linked with a fight during their time under the promotion. But Ngannou’s departure in 2023 prevented that, with both sides blaming each other for ducking. With talks already underway, there is hope fans can finally see this fight pushed over the line.

Comments

Find all the latest boxing news and MMA breaking updates on boxingnews.com.