UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones has given his clearest indication yet that he won’t step into the Octagon to unify the UFC heavyweight title with Tom Aspinall if he wins at UFC 309 later this month.
Jones is set to put his title on the line against 42-year-old two-time former champion Stipe Miocic at Madison Square Garden next weekend at UFC 309, with Aspinall lined up as not just the backup fighter for the event, but also the de facto next opponent for the winner.
But, in an interview with veteran combat sports journalist Kevin Iole, Jones said that he doesn’t have too much interest in facing the Englishman, who captured the title with a first-round knockout of Sergei Pavlovich and subsequently defended it with a first-round TKO of Curtis Blaydes.
When asked if he’d defend his belt against Aspinall after UFC 309, Jones stated, “”More than likely not.
“I feel like Tom Aspinall is, I don’t want to say nobody, but he just hasn’t proven anything. He hasn’t done anything, and I understand that. I mean, he won his belt against Sergei and Sergei just got slaughtered by someone else (Alexander Volkov). I’m not here to gamble someone else making a name off of me.”
Instead, Jones turned his attention to a possible bout with current light heavyweight champion, and former middleweight champ, Alex Pereira.
Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images”I’m here to compete against the guys where, when we look back like 10 years from now, we’ll go, ‘Jon Jones fought this guy and that guy and this legend and that champion and this champion.’
“If there were to be a fight against somebody still on the UFC roster that would not only be financially worth it, but legacy worth it, it would be Alex Pereira.”
Jones’ comments are sure to rile elements of the MMA community who have already accused the former light heavyweight champion of ducking a fight with Aspinall. The Englishman would represent the biggest, strongest, hardest-hitting opponent Jones has ever faced. As such, it would also present Jones, who has only fought once at heavyweight, with the most dangerous test he’s faced in years.
But Jones is staying focused on his upcoming bout with Miocic, who is looking to turn back the clock at the age of 42 as he returns to the Octagon after more than three years away, following a brutal knockout that saw him lose the heavyweight title to Francis Ngannou at UFC 260 back in March 2021. His last win came in August 2020 as he outpointed Daniel Cormier to retain the title and claim bragging rights in their world title trilogy.
Jones played down Miocic’s last loss and said that the former champion’s resume speaks for itself.
“I feel it’s unfortunate that we live in a world where one bad performance discredits a person so much,” Jones said.
“Stipe has beaten everyone: Junior dos Santos, Francis Ngannou, Daniel Cormier. They’re some of the biggest names. Many champions he has defeated. I feel like I’m wise enough to know that one bad night doesn’t make a man or break a man.
“Stipe is every bit as worthy of being my opponent. It’s not easy winning championships back-to-back, especially in the heavyweight division. What he’s done is truly special and I just want to give the man his opportunity. I know fighting me, for a lot of athletes, is a really big deal. If anyone deserves to be in there with me, it’s Stipe Miocic.”
