UFC President Dana White has made a concerning statement regarding the potential superfight between Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall.
UFC officials have been attempting to finalize a historic heavyweight title unification fight between the two fighters since last November.
A major obstacle was Jones demanding “F**K YOU MONEY” to unify the belts, a hurdle many believed would prevent the fight. However, the UFC leadership has reportedly agreed to his significant demands.
Despite this, the highly anticipated matchup has not yet materialized, as Jones has publicly hinted at the possibility of retirement.
White admitted that the ultimate decision on whether the fight happens rests with the former long-time light-heavyweight champion.
When asked about a potential unexpected fight between Jones and former champion Francis Ngannou, White firmly stated, “It’s Aspinall’s fight. We`ve been talking to this guy about it forever, and it’s his fight.”
He added, “Listen, you can’t force people to fight. If Jon doesn’t want to fight, you can’t make him. We can try to encourage him to fight, we can offer him incentives that make him want to fight, but we’ll work it out.”
According to White, the former pound-for-pound great Jones “AGREED” to postpone his retirement plans to face British fighter Aspinall in the octagon.
“Jon Jones agreed to take the fight,” he confirmed. “Jon Jones was offered the deal and accepted the deal. Jon agreed to fight Tom, yes.”
“You guys have heard me say for the longest time now, `I guarantee this fight is going to happen. This fight’s going to happen,`” White continued. “You guys told me about the crazy stuff happening on Instagram and elsewhere, but yes, I’ve been saying Jon is going to fight Tom.”
White has faced considerable calls, including a petition with 200,000 signatures, urging the UFC to strip Jones of his heavyweight title.
However, Jones recently suggested he would relinquish the belt himself before it could be taken from him, stating: “I discussed my future plans with the UFC a long time ago.
“Honestly, I believe it’s been in the UFC’s best interest to continue presenting me as the company’s champion – not Tom,” Jones commented. “I’ve just been playing the part of the company man by doing nothing at all… and holding the position.”
“And honestly, it’s been incredibly profitable,” he added.
“I’ve made more money off of Tom being the interim champ than Tom has himself. It`s unfortunate to see the rest of the division held back like this, but that has nothing to do with me. I don’t make the decisions.”
“And remember, you can’t strip a fighter like me at this point; I will give up the belt freely. Veni, vidi, vici.”
Jones has not competed since his dominant performance against Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 last November.
Meanwhile, interim titleholder Aspinall has been waiting since his rapid victory over Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304 last July.
