Jump to
Despite the results of the interim heavyweight title fight between Tom Aspinall and Sergei Pavlovich, Dana White isn’t budging on the company’s original plans for the division.
According to the UFC CEO, Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic is still the fight to make, leaving the new interim champion Aspinall no choice but to wait it out.
Dana White still stuck on Jones vs. Miocic for next UFC heavyweight title bout
During his post-event media scrum, Dana White explained why Jones vs. Miocic is still the fight to make. The boss says he recently had lunch with Miocic, who had nothing else in mind but to settle his unfinished business with Jones.
“You do those two,” Dana White told reporters of Jones and Miocic when asked what the next fight for either man might be after Aspinall’s win (transcript via MMA Junkie).
“Those two both deserve that fight. That’s the fight they want. What I love is that Jon Jones, as soon as he heard he was injured and he knew how bad it was, went right to LA, got the surgery, and he’s already in rehab – physical therapy, I should say.”
Dana White went further, stating how the storyline involving the two men perfectly lines up.
“It’s one of those fights (where) you have the best heavyweight of all time versus the greatest martial artist of all time. That’s the fight they want.
“It’s the fight that makes sense. It’s the fight that should happen.”
Tom Aspinall issues plea to Jon Jones
From his end, Aspinall wants his shot against Dana White’s ‘greatest martial artist of all time.’ It’s an opportunity he feels most deserving of, and he began his campaign for it.
“I’ve seen Jon talking nice stuff about me on a podcast, as well. It’s really nice,” Aspinall said at his post-UFC 295 presser (transcript via MMA Junkie). “Obviously, it’s always nice to hear nice things about you, but from someone like that, who I massively look up to, even more so.
“Yeah, thank you, Jon. Just give me the opportunity, Jon. Let me do it. Give me my dream fight. Why not? I’ve just achieved my dream now. Give me my dream fight. Let me fight for my legacy now please.”
Jones has zero interest in facing the current crop of talents
Aspinall may be facing a roadblock here, given Jones’ hesitance to face the current crop of challengers. Here’s what he said in an interview six months ago, way before the official announcement of his title fight with Miocic.
“I think the Stipe [Miocic] fight will be plenty for me. I feel like I don’t really have much to prove after beating Stipe Miocic,” he said. “I’ve been in the game for a long time. In fighter years, I’m an old guy. I’ve been training for a long time, been training for a long time.
“Got some small injuries. I just really want to be around. Want to be around for my family, want to be around for my kids … I can see [my career] coming to an end really soon, and I’m happy with that. I’m really proud of my career.”
What happens to Aspinall now?
Based on Dana White’s plans, it looks like Aspinall will have to wait things out for now. But as the boss stated, the 30-year-old fighter will be just fine.
“We’ll see how that plays out,” White added when asked what’s next for Aspinall. “We’ll see what happens. [Aspinall] took this fight on short notice.
“Obviously he looked great. He’s got plenty of money to chill out for a minute. We’ll see.”
Aspinall bounced back from his TKO loss to Curtis Blaydes in 2022 with his own stoppage win over Marcin Tybura exactly a year later. With his quick KO win over Pavlovich on Saturday, he is now on a two-fight win streak with an improved record of 14-3.
Join the new Bloody Elbow
Our Substack is where we feature the work of writers like Zach Arnold, John Nash and Connor Reubusch. We’re fighting for the sport, the fighters and the fans. Please help us by subscribing today.
About the author
