Dana White decided to skip the UFC 316 press conference on Thursday.
In his place, long-time commentator Jon Anik stepped in to host the event in Newark, New Jersey.
Things got slightly heated as Merab Dvalishvili and Sean O’Malley traded barbs before their bantamweight title rematch on Saturday night.
However, things got most interesting when the petition to strip Jon Jones of his UFC heavyweight belt was brought up.
Jon Anik makes Jon Jones vs Tom Aspinall prediction
The UFC 316 press conference crowd chanted ‘Strip Jon Jones’ in unison.
This is something Jon Anik doesn’t have the power or desire to do anytime soon.
“I think a fight between Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall is bigger if they are both champions,” he said.
“I think… I’m hopeful they are gonna fight in December in Las Vegas.
“I have no inside information, but I don’t know if Jon Jones gives a rip if they strip him.”
Tom Aspinall’s retirement claim
Earlier this week, Tom Aspinall claimed that Jon Jones has retired from MMA.
The heavy-handed Englishman also said he’s got a date and location to fight somebody else.
“Guys, why are we still talking about Jon? He’s retired. He’s done,” Aspinall said on the Good Guy / Bad Guy podcast hosted by Daniel Cormier and Chael Sonnen.
“I said a long time ago, ‘I’m gonna retire Jon without even fighting him’. That’s what’s happened.”
Aspinall added: “You guys are gonna see really soon.
“This is exciting times for the heavyweight division. We get some movement. People are literally forgetting that heavyweights exist. Nobody has fought for so long, this is crazy. We’ve got a guy holding it up.
“That’s old news. The active heavyweight champion is here to fight them all, let’s get it on.
“I’ll tell you something. I’ve got a date and a location.”
Jon Anik’s prediction suggests Aspinall may have jumped the gun in announcing Jones is retired.
Only time will tell if Dana White will pull off the fight he ‘100 percent’ guaranteed would happen in 2025.