UFC President Confirms Aspinall's Potential Jon Jones Fight
UFC President Dana White asserts that Tom Aspinall will face Jon Jones if Jones overcomes Stipe Miocic, MMA Fighting reported. Aspinall, who currently holds the interim heavyweight title, has been vocal about his desire to fight Jones since winning the interim belt last November and successfully defending it since then. However, Miocic was prioritized for a fight with Jones, a decision made before Jones's injury last October.
White assured fans in a Tuesday news conference that the match could happen if Jones defeats Miocic: "I believe that fight happens if Jon Jones beats Stipe. Dislike him or not, Jon Jones always wants to fight top challengers, and Aspinall is on his radar."
Jones, who has a few times indicated potential retirement if he defeats Miocic, teased the idea once again this week. Contrarily, White believes the UFC will put forth an irresistible offer to keep Jones in the game. UFC also plans major pay-per-view events in New York and Las Vegas later this year, where these high-stakes matches might unfold.
"If Jon Jones continues after Miocic, UFC is prepared to ensure a compelling deal," White said. "We aim to make Jones vs. Aspinall a reality."
Jones's career includes both exceptional wins and controversies, including two doping suspensions and a hit-and-run conviction in 2015. Yet, he remains one of UFC's all-time greats. White also directed attention towards a different missed mega-fight with Francis Ngannou, attributing its fall-through to Ngannou, not Jones. "Jon Jones wanted that fight badly. He isn’t afraid to face anyone," White declared. He highlighted the lengths UFC went to arrange the fight, all to no avail from Ngannou's end.
White insists that regardless of past failed matchups, Jones' bout with Aspinall is set if Jones triumphs over Miocic: "We’ll do everything we can to make this fight happen. Throughout UFC history, we’ve always succeeded in arranging big fights."
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