Written by NEW YORK – The UFC is going to need a lot of convincing if they intend to put on a title unification bout between Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall.
Jones doubled down on wanting his next fight to be against UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira, and not interim heavyweight titleholder Aspinall following his successful return to the octagon. Jones (27-1 MMA, 21-1 UFC) defended his heavyweight crown this past Saturday by stopping Stipe Miocic (20-4 MMA, 14-4 UFC) in the main event of UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden.
Traditionally, with an interim champion in place, a title unification bout would follow and be the first order of business in the division, but Jones isn’t interested.
“I’m not really worried about the Tom fight. I’m worried about the Pereira fight,” Jones said at the UFC 309 post-fight press conference. “That’s what I want to do. I think if the UFC wants to have me back, then I think that’s the fight they’ll make. I’ve been really clear about my intentions. That’s what I want.
“I just feel like anybody would understand at this point. I’ll retire the heavyweight belt if I have to. … Tom can have the heavyweight championship. I don’t really care about it.”
Jones did offer a glimmer of hope for those wanting to see him vs. Aspinall. Although he doesn’t like the Englishman personally, and doesn’t see him fit for his legacy, Jones said he could be persuaded into it.
“I just don’t like him, and at the end of the day, if I give him the opportunity to fight me, I want to be so compensated,” Jones explained. “I want that f*ck you money. Honestly. That’s just what it is. That’s just what it is. My life is perfect without him. I don’t need him at all, and he needs me, and that’s a good place to be in a negotiation.”
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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 309.