Dana White says Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall will 100 percent happen in 2025.
'Bones' defended his heavyweight title with a KO victory over Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 on November 16.
Then the conversation immediately turned to a unification match with Tom Aspinall, who has claimed an interim title during his spectacular run through the division, including quick wins over Curtis Blaydes, Sergei Pavlovich and Alexander Volkov.
Dana White is currently attempting what he believes could be the biggest fight in UFC history.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Dana White guarantees that Jon Jones will fight Tom Aspinall next
Saturday night, Dana White capped off another stellar year for the UFC with a show in Tampa, Florida.
After Colby Covington lost to Joaquin Buckley in the main event due to a doctor's stoppage, the UFC boss went backstage to speak to reporters for the final time in 2024.
Naturally, he asked questions about how the negotiations between Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall were going.
“100 percent,” White said when asked if the heavyweight unification fight is the biggest he can make in 2025. “I think this is probably the biggest fight in heavyweight history, and it's a huge fight in the history of the business. It's a big fight.”
The reporter further pointed out that Jones was 'on the fence' about fighting Aspinall before White stepped in to provide a promising update on the negotiations.
He added: “It's weird. Let me tell you what's weird about that. So usually those guys say that behind the scenes and not publicly. Jon says that in public and not behind the scenes.
“Jon is a very unique individual to be around. From day one, I had confidence that Jon Jones would take that fight. Even earlier [UFC 309] I said, 'If he won, there's no way Jon wouldn't take the fight.'
“Jon Jones is not afraid to fight anyone, and that's a fact. The only time anything weird has ever happened to Jon Jones is when his damn camp did the weird Chael Sonnen thing. “We can't fight Chael Sonnen on short notice.”
“And he wasn't, it was his team, and he listened to his team for whatever reason. But that's the craziest move in UFC history. Other than that, behind the scenes, Jon Jones is not a guy who turns down fights.”
White wrapped things up by guaranteeing that Jones vs Aspinall will take place in 2025.
He said boldly, “Yes. I say 100 percent [the fight will happen].”
Tom Aspinall shuts Jon Jones out of the GOAT debate
Jon Jones is widely considered the greatest fighter in MMA history. The 37-year-old dominated at light heavyweight for a decade before moving up a division to become a two-weight champion in March 2023.
The only loss on his record came via a controversial disqualification in a 2009 fight that he dominated.
However, Tom Aspinall insists his next opponent's history of failed drug tests will rule him out of the GOAT debate.
“Let me first start by saying that Jon is absolutely elite, and I completely agree with the idea that he is one of the best fighters ever – possibly [the greatest in MMA history],” Aspinall told Piers Morgan Uncensored.
“But the way I look at it, he failed a few drug tests. To me, that means you're not the greatest of all time – for me personally.
“Yes, of course [make him a cheat]If you're taking performance-enhancing drugs and your opponent isn't, then that's definitely cheating in my opinion – unless you're both allowed to do it.”
“I honestly don't know much about this subject, but I think if you're fighting in MMA, you definitely shouldn't be using PEDs.”
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