Dana White talks possible Tom Aspinall vs. Jon Jones matchup

UFC CEO and president Dana White. Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Dana White on possible Tom Aspinall vs. Jon Jones matchup: ‘We’ll get it done’

By Aaron Case | Last updated Nov 17, 2024 5:31 PM ET

UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones doesn’t want to fight interim champion Tom Aspinall. But their boss has other ideas.

When asked about a potential matchup between Jones and Aspinall, UFC President Dana White said he’d make the blockbuster fight happen, despite Jones’ eccentric ways.

“I got Tom waiting outside for me right now, and Jon — you let Jon do Jon,” White said, per the UFC. “Jon’s going to disappear. Not only will you not hear about him or what he’s doing, neither will I. And then he will resurface, and he’ll call and we’ll get it done.”

White’s confidence is a good sign for fans who want to see the fight get made. However, White is in for a tough negotiation with Jones.

After easily defending his belt against the legendary Stipe Miocic at UFC 309, Jones made his intentions clear. He wants to fight Alex Pereira next.

"HOW GOOD IS JONNY BONES?"@JonnyBones | #UFC309 pic.twitter.com/RFUsUppQfz
— UFC (@ufc) November 17, 2024

“I’m at a place now where I want to take what I find to be super fights,” Jones said, per the UFC. “I don’t want to fight dangerous up-and-comers anymore. I want to fight dangerous established champions. So, Tom can have the heavyweight championship. I don’t really care about it. My value doesn’t lie in belts anymore. I’ve created something much bigger. I want Pereira.”

While Jones’ reasoning makes sense in terms of his legacy, Aspinall deserves the next shot. As the interim champion, he’s earned the right to challenge Jones for the full title. Having Pereira come up from light heavyweight and leapfrog him would be a bit unfair.

However, any way the Jones-Aspinall-Pereira situation plays out, the results will be spectacular. Any combination of these fighters would be must-see TV.

Aaron Case

Aaron Case is a die hard Yankees fan from upstate New York who fuels his writing with too much coffee. When he's not riding the emotional roller coaster that is the MLB season, he's probably daydreaming and doodling or making beats. Follow him on X @AarontheCase1

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