UFC CEO Dana White says the promotion is prepared for all potential outcomes in the Jon Jones/Tom Aspinall negotiations.
Dana White and the UFC matchmakers are busy just a few weeks into the new year. One of their highest priorities as of this writing is attempting to book one of the biggest fights in the promotion’s history between UFC heavyweight titleholders Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall.
Jones and Aspinall seemed destined for an Octagon clash after Jones’ successful first heavyweight title defense against Stipe Miocic in November. Aspinall sat cage-side at UFC 309 as Jones put on a technical performance against Miocic.
Despite initial hesitance in facing Aspinall, Jones has since pivoted on that stance and is in active negotiations with the UFC brass for at least one more fight. In the buildup to UFC 309, Jones hinted at retirement after a legendary career in the Octagon.
Weeks later, the state of Jones vs. Aspinall remains foggy, and White provided some clarity on what the promotion is prepared to do should the fight fall through the cracks.
Dana White admits stripping Jon Jones is a possibility amidst Tom Aspinall talks
During a recent interview with TheMacLife, White provided an update on the Jones vs. Aspinall fight negotiations.
“There’s no situation, it’s the biggest fight that we can make,” White said. “I know the fans like to mess with Jon or whatever, Jon Jones isn’t afraid of anybody, and Jon Jones will fight anybody. It’s just a matter of getting the fight done now, that’s our job.”
Despite White’s unwavering confidence, he acknowledged that stripping Jones of the belt is a possibility if the Aspinall fight isn’t finalized in the coming months.
“100 percent,” White shared. “If we don’t get the fight done, we move on and we make another fight. But the night before, I was up in my room with my people until like 6 in the morning, we’re working on lots of stuff right now. There’s lots of really good s*** going on right now.”
White dismissed rumors of a potential $30 million payout to Jones just weeks ago in a previous update on negotiations. The rumors surfaced from Joe Rogan after the podcaster and UFC commentator shared alleged murmurs of what Jones is asking for money-wise.
White guaranteed Jones vs. Aspinall shortly after UFC 309 despite skeptics of looming negotiations. Jones alluded to negotiations moving in a positive direction in one of his few interviews since the Miocic fight.
Dana White faces multiple hurdles in finalizing Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall
This isn’t the first time that White and Jones have had testy negotiations during their UFC tenures. In 2020, after Francis Ngannou defeated Miocic for the heavyweight belt, Jones allegedly wanted ‘Deontay Wilder money’ to face Ngannou in the Octagon for his heavyweight debut.
After a brief war of words, White and Jones couldn’t come to terms on the Ngannou fight, and Ngannou went on to part ways with the promotion in 2023. Jones won the then-vacant belt by defeating Ciryl Gane at UFC 285.
If Jones and White can’t agree on a new contract, Aspinall will face another top contender for the likely vacated belt. The interim titleholder has waited almost two full years to get a lineal title shot.
- READ MORE: Alex Pereira’s callout of undisputed heavyweight boxing champion leaves fans in hysterics