On Saturday night time, Jon Jones efficiently defended the UFC heavyweight title in the primary occasion of UFC 309 with a third-round knockout of former two-time UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic. In a really perfect world, that victory would arrange a title unification bout between Jones and interim UFC heavyweight champ, Tom Aspinall. Judging from Jones’ feedback after his KO win, we don’t dwell in that excellent world.

Not lengthy after he stopped Miocic with a spinning again kick to the physique, Jones sat within the bowels of Madison Sq. Backyard and spoke about his plans for the longer term and the way they aren’t more likely to embrace Tom Aspinall.

UFC 309: Jon Jones on a Title Unification Struggle with Tom Aspinall

“I’m probably not fearful in regards to the Tom combat. I’m fearful in regards to the (UFC mild heavyweight champion Alex) Pereira combat,” Jones stated on the UFC 309 post-fight press convention. “That’s what I need to do. I believe if the UFC desires to have me again, then I believe that’s the combat they’ll make. I’ve been actually clear about my intentions. That’s what I need.

“I simply really feel like anyone would perceive at this level. I’ll retire the heavyweight belt if I’ve to. … Tom can have the heavyweight championship. I don’t actually care about it.”

“I simply don’t like him, and on the finish of the day, if I give him the chance to combat me, I need to be so compensated,” Jones added. “I need that (expletive) you cash. Actually. That’s simply what it’s. That’s simply what it’s. My life is ideal with out him. I don’t want him in any respect, and he wants me, and that’s place to be in a negotiation.”

UFC 309: Dana White on Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall

Whereas Jones appears fixated on reserving a matchup with UFC mild heavyweight champion Alex Pereira at heavyweight, UFC CEO Dana White feels that combat doesn’t make sense, particularly after what he noticed in the primary occasion of UFC 309.

“It (Jones vs. Aspinall) can be the largest heavyweight combat in UFC historical past, by an extended shot,” White stated on the UFC 309 post-fight press convention. “It’s going to be the largest heavyweight combat ever. And it’ll in all probability be the largest combat we’ve ever accomplished.”

“Jon’s too massive … [he is a] nice wrestler. Did you see how he took Stipe down in that first spherical? I like Alex Pereira. It simply does not make sense to make that combat,” White added.

“In the event that they each need it dangerous sufficient they usually’re each (expletive) hounding me or one thing, perhaps I might do it, however it’s simply Alex Pereira is killing it. Take a look at his age and what he is doing proper now, what is the purpose to go up and combat a man that is a lot larger?

“I need Pereira to remain the place he’s and do what he does and run the road.

“However once more in the event that they go loopy on me they usually need to do, what am I going to do? They’re grown ass males and I am certain the followers need to see it.”

UFC 309: Tom Aspinall on Doable Jon Jones Struggle

Following UFC 309, Aspinall spoke about the potential for a title unification bout with Jones.

“Effectively when Jon Jones was doing his speech, I used to be trying straight on the UFC brass, Dana and Hunter [Campbell],” Aspinall stated on the UFC 309 post-fight present.

“Each of them turned to me on the identical time and pointed at me and winked. On the identical time. So to me, that claims there’s one thing massive within the pipeline.

“That is the largest combat within the UFC. That is huge. That is doubtlessly one of many greatest fights in MMA proper now. If that does not curiosity Jon Jones, then I do not know what else we are able to do. All people is aware of that that is the combat to make.

“That is the combat that the individuals need. That is the combat the UFC desires. That is the combat that the followers need. That is the combat that has to occur now.”

Jones vs. Aspinall opening odds

With the combat between Jones and Aspinall a chance, BetOnline posted early betting odds for the potential title unification bout. Aspinall opened as a -135 betting favourite over Jones, who was listed because the +115 betting underdog.

UFC 309: Response to Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic

I wrote the next after Jones defeated Miocic at UFC 309.

Jon Jones efficiently defended the UFC heavyweight title towards Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 with no downside. The defending champ had no downside handing Miocic. Jones was particularly efficient in going to the physique, which was how he finally ended the combat.

Jones regarded good in getting the win, however there are nonetheless questions he must reply, the largest one being what occurs when he faces interim UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall.

Response to Tom Aspinall’s Protection of the Interim Heavyweight Title

I supplied the next after Aspinall defended the interim heavyweight crown with a 60-second knockout of Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304 in July. Aspinall received the interim belt in November 2023 with a 69-second KO of Sergei Pavlovich.

The query going through Tom Aspinall stays unanswered. That query is, what occurs if Aspinall is compelled to combat previous the second spherical. Effectively, Aspinall dispatched Curtis Blaydes with a flurry of floor strikes simply 60 seconds into the co-main occasion of UFC 304.

The following query going through Aspinall, the UFC, Jon Jones, and Stipe Miocic is what occurs after UFC heavyweight champion Jones faces Miocic? Will there be a title unification bout or will the winner of that combat retire?

Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall Heavyweight Title Reigns

Jones received the UFC vacant UFC heavyweight title in March 2023 with a submission win over Ciryl Gane. The UFC initially booked Jones vs. Miocic for UFC 295, however a torn pectoral muscle knocked Jones from that November 2023 scrap. Jones’ first title protection got here towards Miocic at UFC 309. He has a profession file of 28-1-0-1.

Aspinall obtained his alternative on the interim title in a short-notice scrap at UFC 205. He knocked out Pavlovich to say that title. With Jones out of motion and a title unification bout unbooked, Aspinall defended the interim crown towards Blaydes. Aspinall has not fought since that victory. He has a profession file of 15-3.

With the state of the UFC heavyweight division, an Jones vs. Aspinall unification bout is smart. If that combat can’t be booked, the UFC must strip Jones of the title and make Aspinall the champion.