It starts to look like Jon Jones vs Tom Aspinall will not happen quickly.
Conversations for the heavyweight unification that started in the immediate aftermath of UFC 309 in November.
Jon Jones took out Stipe Miocic to apparently set up a Champion vs Champion collision with the interim title holder, which UFC boss Dana White “100 percent” would be guaranteed at a certain point in 2025.
A few months later, Tom Aspinall accused his potential opponent of postponing the fighting negotiations.
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
Jailton Almeida offers to replace Jon Jones
The secondary heavyweight champion of the UFC has expressed its willingness to refrain from a fight with Jones.
In addition, he opened the door for #6 ranked competitor Jilton Almeida to call him on social media.
The 22-3 competition has picked up back-to-back first round stop page victories since he suffered from his first UFC defeat against Curtis Blaydes, who beat him in the second round of their fight in March 2024.
“If the fight against Jones does not work, let's go,” Almedia tweeted on Monday.
“Forget [Ciryl] Gane, he popped up earlier, he now dives to me, in addition he already lost twice in title fights and his last victory was a robbery.
“Let's make Aspinall vs Almeida for an undisputed title.”
If the fight against Jones doesn't work, let's go champion! Forget Gane, he has pressed you earlier, he now comes to me, he also lost twice in title fights and his last victory was a theft, let's make Aspinall vs almeida for undisputed title @aspinallmma @danawhite pic.twitter.com/ygihk2lkjd
– Jailton Almeida “Malhadinho” (@malhadinho_ufc) 3 March 2025
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Tom Aspinall offers UFC Unification Update
On Sunday Aspinall discussed his next fight in a video he shared with his YouTube channel.
The 31-year-old has been left in the dark while the UFC tries to throw a deal with Jones.
“Where we are now, I have been talking about this fight several times with the UFC,” said Aspinall. “I chase it. I want the fight. I noted and said I want the fight. I have been on the phone with the UFC and said: 'I want the fight. When does it happen? “I want the fight more than anyone.
“What it keeps up now is his side. That is its truth. The UFC really wants the fight to happen. They told me that. This is one of the biggest fights in MMA.
“Does he want to put himself in a position where he is financially comfortable enough to take the risk that he will take to fight me? And that's where we are. The UFC tells me, they assure me that they do everything they can to make this fight.
“So as far as I know, this is now completely due to Jon Jones and his team to work it out. I literally just wait for a date.
“But what it stops is that the UFC wants to fight the fight with me and Jon, and as far as I know, it is now about financial or different. I'm not so sure to be honest. I'm just waiting for the phone call now. “
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