Dana White Is Confident About Jones vs. Aspinall For Next Year

Dana White has said Jon Jones will fight Tom Aspinall next year.
Jones is the current UFC Heavyweight Champion, a belt he defended successfully by stopping Stipe Miocic at UFC 309. He is next in line to face Tom Aspinall, who is the current UFC Interim Heavyweight Champion. Jones has shown a reluctance to take that fight by giving contradictory comments. He has said Aspinall does not offer him anything for his legacy. But he has also said he is willing to fight anybody for a significant amount of money. During this period, there has been a narrative that Jones is doing everything in his power to avoid Aspinall.
Jones Vs. Aspinall
Fans never got to see Jones face Francis Ngannou, who left the UFC last year. Ngannou signed with the PFL and defeated Renan Ferreira to become the heavyweight champion. While Ngannou has said that he still wants the Jones fight, it is unlikely to happen. Dana White has ruled out any chance of a co-promotion with the PFL. That means the Aspinall fight is the next biggest thing, increasing the pressure on the UFC to make that fight.
White has said the fight will happen next year, suggesting the following has been achieved. Jones is likely to secure the biggest payday of his career. He is in a position where he can have more leverage. Jones also knows that if he retires his legacy is already set. He has won titles at light heavyweight and heavyweight. Jones also knows that even if he vacates the belt, Aspinall will get his title shot.
Jones and Aspinall are already in talks with the UFC over the next bouts. White’s following comments suggest there are no other alternatives available for the two heavyweights. Jones was talking up a fight with Alex Pereira, stating that was much bigger than facing Aspinall. While that may be the case, it is not the fight the fans want. White also dismissed any suggestions that Jones was ducking, stating that the fight would happen.
White Reacts
“I think it’s probably the biggest fight in heavyweight history and it’s a massive fight in the history of the company too. It’s a big fight. Let me tell you what’s weird about that, so, usually, those guys say that [stuff] behind the scenes and not publicly. Jon says that [stuff] publicly but not behind the scenes. Jon is a very unique individual to deal with.
From day one I’ve been confident that Jon Jones would do that fight, right? I mean even before the fight I said if he won there’s no way Jon doesn’t do this fight. Jon Jones isn’t afraid to fight anybody and that’s a fact. Jon Jones behind the scenes is not a guy that turns down fights. Yeah, I’ll say [the fight happens] a hundred percent,” White said
However, MMA fans remained cautious. Fans were not convinced until an official announcement was made.
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