Tom Aspinall does not slide in his old chase of Jon Jones.
Interim UFC Heavyweight Champion Tom Aspinall and Jon Jones remain in a stand-off in the midst of fighting negotiations to unite the heavyweight belts. But despite the uncertainty of a matchup that flourishes, the bad blood continues to boil between them.
After Jones successfully defended his linear heavyweight championship against Stipe Miocic, he pointed his attention from retired to a possible collision with Aspinall. Since winning the then interim title at UFC 295, Aspinall has only fought once during his long waiting time on Jones and De Riem defends against Curtis Blaydes on UFC 304.
The Jones vs. Aspinall Fight negotiations are approaching their sixth month of discussions. But although Aspinall and Jones remain optimistic in letting a fight, the UFC heads continue to work hard to sort out the details of their intended matchup.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Tom Aspinall mocked Jon Jones while Fight Talks stays in a holding pattern
Before Jones defeated Miocic, he expressed a challenging attitude on Aspinall's face and threw a super fight against then-cone light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira. But after the loss of Pereira at UFC 313, the Pereira vs. Jones fight of the table and the attention solidified in the direction of the Aspinall fight.
Although the Aspinall fight is the best option of Jones, there has not been much exercise in negotiations in recent weeks. It was originally set up that Jones and Aspinall could collide for the International Fight Week event from UFC in June, but two months free, that it is unlikely that that timeline will take place.
The constant delays remain Aspinall IRK, after his high activity in the UFC Octagon, earlier in his promotional term of office. If Jones chooses to retire, Aspinall would probably be promoted to the undisputed heavyweight champion, an option that UFC CEO Dana White did not exclude.
In the meantime, Aspinall continues to work in the gym while preparing for his octagonal return to Jones or another rival. But Aspinall did not prevent that from making shots at Jones when he can.
In a recent game 'Word Association' with TNT sports, Aspinall needed two words to describe Jones.
“Strange guy,” said Aspinall.
Jones led an X-rated chant to Aspinall during a recent Dirty Boxing Championship event. He became co-owner under the new promotion of Mike Perry earlier this year.
The former rival of Jon Jones begged him to 'walk away' from Tom Aspinall Fight
White and the UFC matchmakers claim that the Jones vs. Aspinall Fight 'Do' is, but they work out some details in terms of location, location and date for the matchup to flourish.
One of the former light heavyweight rivals of Jones begged him to walk away from the Aspinall fight and retire. Vitor Belfort, who beat Jones almost earlier in their career, wants Jones to end his fighting career in the same way as Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Jones teased retirement prior to UFC 309, but turned that attitude in the immediate aftermath and indicated the upcoming 'conversations' with White with regard to a new contract. Rumor has Jones looking for around $ 30 million to fight against Aspinall, a claim that since then refers.
While we continue to wait for clarity about the next heavyweight title fight, UFC title holders Jones and Aspinall remain at odds.
Jon Jones❓
Become association with Tom Aspinall 👀 pic.twitter.com/rydjvpmv7m
– UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) April 19, 2025