Tom Aspinall's world champion Sparring Partner has overtaken the Jon Jones -Saga.
Phil de Fries defended his KSW heavyweight title for the 12th time with a first round victory on Saturday evening.
The former UFC hunter has played a key role in the recent camps of Tom Aspinall, who have focused on training with the best big men in Europe.
After UFC CEO Dana White set up a deadline of two weeks before the fight, Phil de Fries shared his thoughts about a potential UFC unification collision between his friend and the greatest hunter in the MMA history.
Phil de Fries during the weighing ceremony for KSW 57. Credit: Photo Olimpik/Nurphoto via Getty Images
Phil de Fries explains why Jon Jones will not leave
Phil de Fries doubts seriously that Jon Jones is interested in actually fighting Tom Aspinall.
The 39-year-old believes that 'bones' simply hangs on the heavyweight title to keep up with his pockets with sponsor money.
“I don't think it's going to happen,” said the Frisian during an exclusive interview with Bloody Elbow.
“I don't think Jon wants to have anything to do with it. I think Jon gets a lot of money as a champion. I think the sponsors pay him a fortune, and I think he drags it along and keeps the belt as long as possible because it is worth so much money for him.
“But I don't think he intends to fight. I think he will just drag it as long as he can, until he is stripped.
“You never know, he might come back. If Tom was defeated, he would jump with joy and he would fight against the man who hit him, but Tom is not defeated.
“I don't think it will happen. It doesn't happen at all. You never know, but I think if it happened, Jon would have said yes.”
Jon Jones vs Tom Aspinall predicted
If the fight happens, De Fries thinks that Aspinall Jones could finish very early.
The Englishman also believes that his sparring partner has the gas tank to win more than 25 minutes.
The Frisian added: “Jon has often struggled with tall people who are good boxers. Tom would be the best boxer who has ever fought Jon.
“I imagine that if he fights against him, he would try to ignore him the first two rounds. I ignore him two rounds completely, make him frustrated and get him tired.
“Tom is fit in the fifth. You know, he smokes people immediately, but I did the fifth round with him, and it's still not fun in the fifth round.
“Jon Jones is fantastic. I don't think he is what he was, and he is quite smaller. I think Tom would have the big advantage, but he is good; he could beat everyone, Jon Jones.
“But I think Tom can be the favorite, and there is always a chance that Tom smokes you like that.”