LAS VEGAS – Dana White says the UFC will do everything in its power to make a Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall unification bout happen – if the scenario presents itself post-Stipe Miocic title shot.
Following Dana White’s Contender Series 68 on Tuesday, White was asked about the prospect of the fight ever happening. He predicts that it will.
“Jon is one of those challenging guys to deal with,” White told MMA Junkie and other reporters. “I think he’s talking about retiring, but will he if the Aspinall thing is really flying out there? I personally think Jon challenges himself and takes the fight. I think he does it.”
White’s logic is rooted in what he says is an unwavering desire for Jones to take on all challenges, despite a highly-anticipated matchup of yesteryear against Francis Ngannou never coming to fruition.
“Jon Jones was tweeting today saying he was going to retire. Is that what he did?” White said. “… It’s always the same dealing with Jon. You were talking about Francis earlier. I have zero animosity toward Francis. Francis was out of my world a long time ago. (Hunter) and Mick are another story. It’s a long story. That dude (Hunter) did everything he could in his power to make Jon Jones vs. Francis. The fight did not happen and let me tell you what. It wasn’t because of Jon Jones. So Jon is a very unique individual to deal with. Jon Jones will fight everybody.
“Jon Jones was absolutely positively… he wanted Francis. You saw what happened with Ciryl Gane. He will tell you, like he told us, that he would do the same thing to Francis Ngannou. He wanted that fight so bad. … Dislike him, whatever your beef is with Jon Jones, knock yourself out. There’s no way Jon Jones doesn’t want to fight Aspinall. That, I guarantee you. I guarantee you. … I believe Jon Jones-Aspinall happens if he beats Stipe.”
"I know the whole internet thinks that I'm up Jon Jones' ass. These are f*cking facts."
Dana White is confident Jon Jones will unify titles with Tom Aspinall if he beats Stipe Miocic. pic.twitter.com/NFC81NrfTo
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) August 21, 2024
White pointed to the UFC’s history of getting fights booked involving stars like Jones and Brock Lesnar, though he admitted Jones vs. Ngannou was one exception. The track record furthers his confidence the promotion will make Jones vs. Aspinall happen, should Miocic lose in his impending crack at title gold.
“We’ll do everything we can to make the fight happen,” White said. “You’re saying would we make that fight if Jon Jones wants more money. What fights don’t we make? Other than the Francis thing, what fights don’t we make? You can’t make people fight and we couldn’t make Francis fight. Every other fight, we made. We’ve dealt with guys who are like Brock Lesnar. Think of the biggest stars who’ve ever been in the sport. We’ve always made the fights.”
