UFC CEO Dana White dropped spine-tingling news Saturday night following UFC Tampa.
White, who was initially supposed to be in South Korea to film Lookin' For A Fight, was seen in attendance at the promotion's final show and began to tease next year's plans.
Priority No. 1 remains to make the blockbuster heavyweight unification boutbetween champion Jon Jones and interim champion Tom Aspinall.
When asked for a status update, White smiled and confirmed that the fight was still in the works.
Dana White says 100% we will see Jones/Aspinall#UFC pic.twitter.com/GndDFp7Xfl
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) December 15, 2024
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"100 percent," White said. "I think it's probably the biggest fight in heavyweight history, and it's a massive fight in the history of the company, too. It's a big fight."
White shot down rumblings of Jones' recent public comments suggesting he is making negotiations difficult.
"What's weird about that – let me tell you what's weird about that - So, usually, those guys say that s*** behind the scenes, but not publicly. Jon says that s*** publicly but not behind the scenes. Jon is a very unique individual to deal with [in booking fights]. From day one, I have been confident that Jon Jones would do that fight. Right? Even before the fight against [Stipe Miocic], I said if he won, there's no way Jon doesn't do this fight. Jon Jones isn't afraid to fight anybody, and that's a fact."
White did not provide a timetable for when the fight would take place next year. However, his remarks fall directly in line with Aspinall's exclusive interview with Piers Morgan this past Friday.
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British heavyweight Tom Aspinall brands UFC rival Jon Jones a cheat for failing drugs tests.
— Piers Morgan Uncensored (@PiersUncensored) December 13, 2024
"To me that rules you out of being the best of all time."
Watch the full interview on YouTube at 7pm(UK) / 2pm(EST).
SUBSCRIBE: https://t.co/QR11ywt8D5@piersmorgan | @AspinallMMA pic.twitter.com/ug7BLt45vi
Aspinall not only confirmed he is in talks to fight Jones, but labeled the potential GOAT as a PED cheater and someone who he hopes will learn his lesson the hard way.
“It’s happening. It’s gonna be the biggest fight in UFC history.”
— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) December 13, 2024
Tom Aspinall shares what Dana White told him in a meeting about the Jon Jones fight pic.twitter.com/GzfXkdH0q0
Nonetheless, Aspinall shared what White told him after Jones beat Miocic at UFC 309 last month.
“It’s happening. It’s gonna be the biggest fight in UFC history," Aspinall said regarding White's comments.
For now, the MMA community waits in eager anticipation as discussions continue onward.
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