TAMPA, Fla.– UFC CEO Dana White is not one to make assurances when it concerns unofficial matchmaking, however Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall is an exception.
The much-desired heavyweight title marriage bout in between champ Jones (28-1 MMA, 22-1 UFC) and interim titleholder Aspinall (15-3 MMA, 8-1 UFC) has actually been in limbo as “Bones” teases retirement and dismissed a match with the Brit.
White revealed self-confidence that the battle would occur following Jones' title defense versus Stipe Miocic in November, and when asked at Saturday's UFC on ESPN 63 post-fight press conference if he can be specific it would occur, White offered a conclusive response.
“I'll state 100 percent (the battle occurs),” White informed MMA Junkie. “I believe it's most likely the greatest battle in heavyweight history, and it's a huge battle in the history of the business, too. It's a huge battle.”
Dana White makes a RARE assurance that Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall merge UFC titles in 2025: “Yeah. I'll state 100 percent.”
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— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) December 15, 2024
Jones appears to be putting on a front that he has no interest in Aspinall, White stated his experience talking to the male he relates to as the biggest of all time is various in personal.
“It's unusual,” White stated. “What's odd about that, let me inform you what's odd about that: So normally guys state that sh * t behind the scenes and not openly. Jon states that sh * t openly however not behind the scenes. Jon is a really distinct person to handle. From Day 1, I've been positive that Jon Jones would do that battle. Even before the battle (with Miocic), I stated Jon will do this battle. Jon Jones isn't scared to combat anyone, which's a reality.
“The only time that anything from another location strange has actually occurred with Jon Jones is the time that his f * cking camp did the strange Chael Sonnen thing, ‘We can't battle Chael Sonnen on brief notification.' which wasn't him. It was his group, and he listened to his group for whatever factor. That's like the goofiest f * cking relocation in the history of the UFC. Other than that, Jon Jones is not a guy that, behind the scenes, turns down battles.”
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