Interim UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall believes Jon Jones’ personality will dictate whether or not they fight in 2025.
Tom Aspinall sat cage-side as UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones finished Stipe Miocic by knockout at UFC 309. Almost two full years since winning the then-vacant title, Jones put on another one of his signature outings, dominating Miocic thoroughly in his first title defense.
Aspinall, who weighed in as the UFC 309 backup, most recently defended the interim heavyweight title ahead of Jones’ long-awaited return. After Jones dismantled Miocic, Aspinall is one of Jones’ potential fight options following UFC 309, although it could be a rigorous negotiatory process with the UFC.
Whether it’s Jones or another top contender, Aspinall will fight for the lineal UFC heavyweight title in his next appearance. UFC CEO Dana White calls the Jones vs. Aspinall bout potentially the biggest fight in heavyweight MMA history.
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Adding fuel to the fire is the hostility Jones has exuded towards Aspinall from afar in recent weeks. Ahead of UFC 309, Jones brushed aside Aspinall and accused the UK star of being an ‘A**hole’ that he doesn’t want to do business with.
Despite Jones’ rhetoric, Aspinall remains hopeful about making the fight happen in 2025, although he believes it’ll all come down to Jones’ inner dialogue and competitive fire.
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In a recent interview on The Ariel Helwani Show, Aspinall explained how Jones’ psyche could eventually lead him to sign the dotted line to unify the heavyweight belts.
“I’m a damn, dangerous fight for him, the most dangerous fight for him at this stage by far,” Aspinall said of Jones. “He has a gigantic ego, and he should, because he’s one of the best fighters ever. And he hates the fact that people are saying I can beat him, he can’t sleep at night!
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“It’s all projecting…I don’t think, I know [I worry him]…and I’m saying this as a fan of Jon Jones, I’m a massive, massive question mark for him,” Aspinall continued. “He’s got a lot of Octagon time over a lot of years, and I’m got next to nothing, almost nothing apart from bouncing people’s heads off the canvas. And he has no idea what to prepare for, and that’s fantastic for me…don’t let Jon fool you, he wants it as well. Jon’s a competitor, ruthless competitor, and you can see it. You know what he’s all about. I can see the way it eats him up, my existence hurts his feelings. Somewhere deep in his mind, deep in his soul, he knows I can bounce his head off the canvas.”
Jones has also hinted at a potential super fight with Alex Pereira if he decides to vacate the heavyweight belt. But, White and the UFC brass aren’t as thrilled with the idea and are locked in on making the Aspinall fight come to fruition.
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Aspinall earned the interim heavyweight championship by knocking out Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 295. Jones was supposed to headline the card against Miocic before suffering a torn pectoral tendon, resulting in the UFC launching a last-second Aspinall/Pavlovich interim title bout to save the card.
After Jones made easy work of Miocic in the Octagon, fight fans, pundits, and fellow fighters are imploring him to face Aspinall next. Jones, who previously teased retirement, pivoted on those remarks after UFC 309 in hopes he and White can come to terms on a lucrative new deal.
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Jones won the then-vacant heavyweight title by submitting Ciryl Gane at UFC 285. After his heavyweight debut lasted mere minutes, UFC 309 showcased Jones’ talent in a new weight class, following a legendary run at light heavyweight.
After months of friendly banter online between Jones and Aspinall, things have tensed up ahead of their potential grudge match. While Aspinall doesn’t hold animosity towards Jones, he’s gotten under the heavyweight champ’s skin, amidst accusations that Jones is intentionally ducking him.
Time will tell if fight fans will get their wish to see Jones vs. Aspinall in 2025. In the meantime, Jones will sit down with the promotion to negotiate, and according to Aspinall, Jones’ ego will lead the way.
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