Jon Jones is now considering the possibility of a heavyweight title unification fight with Tom Aspinall, though he has made it clear that he expects substantial financial compensation to take on the interim champion. At the recent UFC 309 post-fight press conference, Jones expressed that he finds Aspinall personally annoying and feels that if he grants him the opportunity to compete, he deserves what he referred to as “f–k you money.” Jones stated, “My life is perfect without him. I don’t need him at all and he needs me, and that’s a good place to be in a negotiation.”
Previously, Jones had dismissed the notion of fighting Aspinall, citing the interim champion’s lack of significant achievements in the sport. He mentioned that his focus is on fights that would enhance his legacy. However, he has shown interest in battling current UFC light-heavyweight champion Alex Pereira, indicating that a match with Pereira would be both financially rewarding and beneficial for his legacy.
The conversation around a potential matchup between Jones and Aspinall intensified after Jones successfully defended his heavyweight title with a knockout victory over Stipe Miocic at UFC 309. Following this fight, UFC CEO Dana White suggested that Jones’ next contest would likely be against Aspinall, if he decides to return to the octagon.
Aspinall recently claimed the interim heavyweight title with a victory over Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 295. His status as a rising star in the heavyweight division is solidified by his impressive record—15 wins, including 12 by knockout or TKO, and a perfect finish rate in his UFC fights, where none have gone beyond the second round.
As fans eagerly await what could be a thrilling clash between these two fighters, the UFC landscape may see further developments as negotiations progress. The potential unification bout represents an exciting opportunity for both fighters to solidify their legacies in the sport of mixed martial arts.