TAMPA, Fla. – UFC CEO Dana White just isn’t one to make ensures in terms of unconfirmed matchmaking, however Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall is an exception.
The much-desired heavyweight title unification bout between champ Jones (28-1 MMA, 22-1 UFC) and interim titleholder Aspinall (15-3 MMA, 8-1 UFC) has been in limbo as “Bones” teases retirement and dismissed a matchup with the Brit.
White expressed confidence that the combat would occur following Jones’ title protection towards Stipe Miocic in November, and when requested at Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 63 post-fight information convention if he could be sure it could occur, White gave a definitive reply.
“I’ll say 100% (the combat occurs),” White instructed MMA Junkie. “I believe it’s in all probability the largest combat in heavyweight historical past, and it’s a large combat within the historical past of the corporate, too. It’s a giant combat.”
Dana White makes a RARE assure that Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall unify UFC titles in 2025: “Yeah. I’ll say 100%.”
(through @DannySeguraTV) pic.twitter.com/Juax5RDeFi
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) December 15, 2024
Though Jones seems to be placing on a entrance that he has no real interest in Aspinall, White mentioned his expertise speaking to the person he regards as the best of all time is completely different in non-public.
“It’s bizarre,” White mentioned. “What’s bizarre about that, let me inform you what’s bizarre about that: So normally guys say that sh*t behind the scenes and never publicly. Jon says that sh*t publicly however not behind the scenes. Jon is a really distinctive particular person to cope with. From Day 1, I’ve been assured that Jon Jones would do this combat. Even earlier than the combat (with Miocic), I mentioned Jon will do that combat. Jon Jones isn’t afraid to combat anyone, and that’s a truth.
“The one time that something remotely bizarre has occurred with Jon Jones is the time that his f*cking camp did the bizarre Chael Sonnen factor, ‘We will’t combat Chael Sonnen on quick discover.’ and that wasn’t him. It was his crew, and he listened to his crew for no matter purpose. However that’s just like the goofiest f*cking transfer within the historical past of the UFC. However apart from that, Jon Jones just isn’t a man that, behind the scenes, turns down fights.”
Remember to go to the MMA Junkie Instagram web page and YouTube channel to debate this and extra content material with followers of combined martial arts.
