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Jon Jones returned at UFC 309 to successfully defend his heavyweight title for the first time. Looking like he never left, Jones dominated Stipe Miocic en route to a third-round knockout, answering plenty of questions regarding his capabilities in his still-new division. The one answer the MMA world still awaits, however, is whether or not he’ll end up fighting interim UFC champion Tom Aspinall in a unification bout.
The 37-year-old champion made it clear as soon as he won heavyweight gold against Ciryl Gane in early 2023 that Miocic was his big target and there may not be another once that goal was out of the way. However, Jones left the door open Saturday night following his win at UFC 309, proclaiming that he isn’t retiring just yet and if UFC negotiations go well, “maybe we’ll give you guys what you want to see.”
Aspinall has held interim gold for a full year in Jones’ absence, but has been relegated to the side for UFC 309’s now-concluded legacy clash. Jones (28-1, 1 NC) has no-sold the Brit at every turn, and despite his immediate post-fight comments seemingly signaling a change to that thinking, Jones reiterated late Saturday that Aspinall is not an option for him — unless the UFC really makes it worth his while.
“Just the little sh*t that he does, he’s annoying to me,” Jones said of Aspinall at UFC 309’s post-fight press conference.
“I just don’t like him, and at the end of the day, if I give him the opportunity to fight me, I want to be so compensated. I want to say it — I want that f*** you money, honestly. And that’s just what it is. 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.”
When asked what dollar figure that could mean, Jones’ response was simple.
“I want to be compensated to the point where, if I won or lost, that it really wouldn’t matter,” he said.
Since Jones’ coronation as heavyweight champion, Aspinall has won a trio of bouts in 73 seconds or less. Meanwhile, in Jones’ old stomping grounds of light heavyweight, a new legend emerged.
In 2024, Brazil’s Alex Pereira finally became light heavyweight’s first champion since Jones vacated the belt in 2020 to defend the title more than once. Pereira had an all-time great year, winning three title defenses with highlight-reel knockouts. Like Jones, Pereira stands as a two-division champion, all of which has intrigued the sport’s arguable best-ever more than anything Aspinall has done.
“I’m not really worried about the Tom fight, I’m worried about the Pereira fight,” Jones said. “That’s what I want to do. I think if the UFC wants to have me back, then I think that’s the fight they’ll make. I’ve been really clear about my intentions. That’s what I want.
“I just feel like anybody would understand at this point. I’ll retire the heavyweight belt if I have to. It’s like, dude, give the guy what he wants. I feel like I’m at a place now where I want to take what I find to be superfights. I don’t want to fight dangerous up-and-comers anymore. I want to fight dangerous, established champions. So Tom can have the heavyweight championship. I don’t really care about it. My body doesn’t lie in belts anymore. I’ve created something much bigger.”
As interested as Jones is in a Pereira champion vs. champion superfight, the same can’t be said for UFC CEO Dana White. The UFC boss has repeatedly squashed the idea since it first arose. Even throughout UFC 309 fight week, White maintained that Aspinall was rightfully awaiting the Jones vs. Miocic winner.
Jones’ trouncing of former two-time heavyweight champion Miocic at UFC 309 only lowered White’s desire to pair together two of his biggest stars.
“You know what tonight told me? There’s no f***ing way I’m gonna make the Pereira fight,” White said Saturday night. “Jon’s too big, great wrestler — you see how he took Stipe down in that first round? I like Alex Pereira. I like him personally. It just doesn’t make sense to make that fight.
“If they both want it bad enough and they’re both f***ing hounding me or something, maybe I would do it. Alex Pereira is killing it. Look at his age and what he’s doing right now — what’s the reason to go up and fight a guy that’s so much bigger than you and such a good wrestler? Money? That’s definitely a reason, but just so we’re clear, I don’t want to make any of that kind of money. I want Pereira to stay where he is and do what he does and run the street.
“But again, if they go crazy on me and they want to do it, then what am I going to do? They’re grown-ass men, and I’m sure the fans want to see it. I’m sure you want to see it. I guess we’ll talk about it.”
If the interim crown atop Aspinall’s head wasn’t enough to support his spot in the line, the big Englishman was also in attendance for UFC 309 as the main event’s back-up fighter.
In response to Jones’ request for a big payday, White noted that Jones would be compensated handsomely to collide with Aspinall in what could be a historic showdown.
“It doesn’t have the potential to, it’s going to be — it’s going to be the biggest heavyweight fight ever,” White said. “It’ll probably be the biggest fight we’ve ever done.”