Introduction

As fans anxiously await the showdown between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 this Saturday night, UFC CEO Dana White has made it clear that should Jones decide to continue his fighting career afterward, he has just one challenging opponent in mind: Tom Aspinall, the interim heavyweight champion.

Dana White's Statement

Dana White's remarks come after Jon Jones has repeatedly downplayed the possibility of a clash with Aspinall, instead expressing interest in a matchup with light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira. Jones even described Aspinall in unflattering terms, stating he was "such an assh*le" that he didn't want to work with him.

Analysis of Potential Matchup

White sounded emphatic during his conversation with sports host Jim Rome, asserting, “He’s not fighting Pereira. Pereira was a middleweight that moved up to light heavyweight. His wrestling isn't even close to the level of Jon Jones, and Jon is much larger.”

Aspinall's Rising Status

For Tom Aspinall, this news is a significant boost. Currently present in New York as a backup for the Jones vs. Miocic fight, Aspinall has made headlines since winning the interim heavyweight title last year after Jones endured a serious injury. He quickly followed up this accomplishment by defending his belt with a spectacular first-round knockout of Curtis Blaydes this past July.

Aspinall's Desire to Fight Jones

Throughout this period, Aspinall has been vocal about his desire to fight Jones, dubbing the championship battle against Miocic the “most disputed title” in the UFC. While Jones has been less than receptive to these calls, with White asserting that he is the only matchup on the table for Jones if he fights again, the callouts from Aspinall haven’t waned.

Dana White's Support for Aspinall

White commented, “Jon is peculiar with how he approaches fights. He prepares thoroughly but then often vanishes afterward. Aspinall is there to challenge him, and while Jon might feel that Aspinall doesn’t deserve it, remember that every great fighter was given an opportunity at some point.”

Defending Jon Jones

Despite the swirling rumors that Jones is avoiding certain fighters, White strongly believes that this is not the case. “For anyone to say that Jon is ducking – it’s ridiculous. He’s fought the best in the world since he was merely 23! He’s undefeated for a reason,” White affirmed, highlighting Jones's remarkable career spanning over 16 years.

Looking Ahead

Looking ahead to Saturday's match, White anticipates that a victory for Jones will lead to a break before he decides his next steps. However, he is confident that, should Jones choose to continue fighting, he will eventually face Aspinall.

Conclusion

“Sounds like classic Jon Jones to me,” White explained. “If he wins Saturday, he may go silent for a bit, but his competitive nature coupled with financial incentives has a way of bringing fighters back into the spotlight. If he opts against retirement, he will absolutely fight Aspinall.” As both fighters prepare for what could be a pivotal weekend in their careers, fans worldwide are on the edge of their seats, eager to see how the drama unfolds in the octagon!