Tom Aspinall believes it’s now or by no means for Jon Jones.
For nicely over a 12 months now, Aspinall has courted a heavyweight title unification bout with Jones to no avail. Although Aspinall is the interim champion, this previous November, Jones defended his UFC heavyweight title in opposition to Stipe Miocic and gained. After the combat, Jones said he would need “f*ck you” money to fight Aspinall earlier than laying the muse for a superfight with then-light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira.
Earlier this month, Pereira misplaced his title in a detailed resolution to Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313. And whereas Aspinall doesn’t need to gloat a couple of combat that he has no stake it, he can’t assist however admit how Ankalaev did him a favor.
“You recognize Jon’s cellphone acquired whizzed throughout the room on Saturday evening,” Aspinall instructed One On One. “He was there able to Tweet that, [feigns throwing a phone] head within the palms and all the things [Laughs].
“No, in all honesty, I’d by no means, each have fun anyone’s loss. That actually isn’t my type. I’m an Alex Pereira fan. I like his type, love the run he’s been on. I actually respect the place he’s come from and all the things like that, but it surely couldn’t have occurred at a greater time for me, personally.”
Whereas UFC CEO Dana White was cool on the concept of a Jones vs. Pereira superfight earlier than, the ship appears more likely to have sailed utterly now. As an alternative, all indicators level to Ankalaev and Pereira operating issues again, leaving Jones with simply two choices, based on Aspinall.
“There’s no the place to go for Jon,” Aspinall stated. “He both has to combat me or retire now. And if he does retire, everybody is aware of that he could have been avoiding me. So there actually isn’t one other combat for Jon in the intervening time. So it really works out fairly good.”
And for what it’s price, Aspinall remains to be holding out hope that it’s the previous. Although experiences lately circulated that Jones needs at the least six months of prep time for a combat with Aspinall, the interim heavyweight champion stays optimistic primarily based on his conversations with high UFC officers.
“I would like it to, clearly,” Aspinall stated. “I’ve been speaking about it for years now. In all honesty, I’ve been within the rooms with the UFC brass — Dana, Hunter [Campbell] — just a few occasions, they usually’ve instructed me it’s occurring. That’s all I can go off. I’m the identical as all people else. … The individuals who know are the UFC brass, actually, and after I’ve sat down and spoke to them, they’re assured it occurs. So I belief that it’s going to occur in the event that they’re telling me that.”
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Scandal. UFC veterans Jeff Molina, Darrick Minner set for disciplinary hearings after alleged involvement in James Krause betting scandal.
Between the Hyperlinks.
UFC London Media Day
Lone’er Kavanagh interview.
Conor McGregor for President?
Eire, the selection is yours and it’s a simple one. Vote for me as your President and we are going to SAVE IRELAND TOGETHER! ❤️ https://t.co/tLGdPITwnr
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) March 20, 2025
Any guesses on what Ilia Topuria’s new nickname can be?
El Matador has been my ally in each combat. However subsequent time, I’ll step into the octagon with a brand new identification. #NewEra
— Ilia Topuria (@Topuriailia) March 20, 2025
Miranda Maverick.
@rosenamajunas has been an inspiration for thus many ladies, particularly in WMMA, and I’m no exception. I watched her combat as I used to be arising within the sport after which I acquired to coach together with her regularly. We’ve got been coaching collectively for the previous few years, however fortunately practice… pic.twitter.com/kkB6swLHwi
— Miranda Maverick (@FearTheMAVERICK) March 20, 2025
Adrian Yañez needs to see violence.
Rose Namajunas (13-7) vs. Miranda Maverick (15-5); UFC Atlanta, June 14.
Alright, y’all. Enjoyable weekend of fight sports activities forward of us. UFC London is fairly stable and the official debut of Soiled Boxing can be attention-grabbing if nothing else. Lock in and luxuriate in.
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