UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones is plotting a return to the octagon, but his obvious first challenger seems low on the priority list.
British knockout artist Tom Aspinall has been tearing through the division, and last November stepped in on short notice to pick up the interim heavyweight title. Generally, that would guarantee a shot at the undisputed title holder, but not so much in this case.
Instead, Jones seems to be more keen on facing either 41-year-old two-time former champion Stipe Miocic or light-heavyweight champion Alex Pereira. Both are bigger names as far as the iconic New Yorker is concerned, and should skip the queue for a shot of his belt.
Tom Aspinall accuses Jon Jones of ‘playing games’ with UFC title
With his next fight already booked in for UFC 304 in July, it seems almost certain that Aspinall will not be facing Jones any time soon. But it is a rare situation for an interim champion to defend their belt while the undisputed is cleared to compete, as Jones now is.
It seems more likely that the Brit will rematch Curtis Blaydes or top contender Ciryl Gane, who Jones already stopped within a round to win the vacant belt at UFC 285 last year. Meanwhile, the American is keen to face either Miocic or Pereira, and appears to be regularly rubbishing Aspinall’s chances.
Speaking with TNT Sports recently, Aspinall expressed his frustrations and noted that he has limited interest in obsessively commenting on Jones. “If we can get old mate Jon Jones to ever sign a contract with my name on the other side of the contract, I’ll talk about him for hours on this show,” he explained.
“Hours. But right now, the guy is playing games again. Trying to convince the public what he wants and what he doesn’t want. Which he does really, really well.
“As I said, we can chat about Jon, if and when he ever signs a contract with my name on the other side of it. Because right now, let’s be honest, it’s not looking very likely.”
Jon Jones teases two potential fights ahead of Tom Aspinall
The heavyweight champion has been taking to social media in recent weeks to speak with fans directly, and has made his feelings clear. He sees Aspinall as a regional star in the UK, without enough name value worldwide to add much to his legacy.
“If Alex P became champion of the heavyweight division, would you guys consider him the GOAT?” He asked fans during a multi-tweet discussion last week, before teasing that he could take that fight after facing Miocic, meaning a two-fight plan.
“Being back in the gym has got me thinking differently.That fight after Stipe maybe the next biggest move I could possibly make. This killer has already defeated so many champions, and is already considered a legend to millions around the world.
“The most massive fight the UFC could make. Give Alex a chance to avenge all those great Brazilian champions I’ve defeated.”
Jon Jones believes Alex Pereira fight could be biggest ever in UFC
Jones was then pushed back by fans, who noted that Aspinall deserves the shot as interim champion. But he insisted that the potential of a legacy-building bout for both he and Pereira, who is a fan favourite that has headlined around the world, would be more intriguing.
“It would be absolutely massive,” he insisted in a later tweet. “A guy with a chance to be three division champion and a goat versus the actual goat. Same age, different strengths.
“No one can argue that that would be the biggest fight in MMA history. There’s absolutely no fight that generates a payday like that. Marketing would be insane.”
He later wrote off Aspinall, adding: “You actually think me fighting Tom would be more massive than Alex and I colliding? Tom only matters in the UK, newsflash. Pereira is one of the most polarizing figures this sport has seen.
“Tom’s a contender who won a belt against another contender. We had to save Madison Square Gardens main event. I’m thinking dollar signs, legacy, big picture here. Not what UK fans are dying to see. Literally just went through this with the French fans.”
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