Dana White expects Jon Jones will be eager to face Tom Aspinall: "I would be shocked if he didn't"

Jon Jones has not competed since defeating Ciryl Gane via first-round submission to capture the vacant heavyweight title at UFC 285 last March. While he appeared set to return against Stipe Miocic at UFC 295 last November, the bout was canceled as 'Bones' tore the tendon that connects his pectoral muscle to the bone.

The injury opened the door for Tom Aspinall to capture the interim heavyweight title. While Jones is reportedly set to face Miocic at UFC 309 in November, UFC president Dana White believes he will face the interim heavyweight champion next. Speaking to Kevin Iole, the promotional frontman stated:

"After Stipe and Jon fight, whoever wins, the Aspinall fight is even bigger... Jon Jones always loves to challenge himself, moved up to heavyweight. I don't know what Jon Jones will do after this fight, but I would be shocked if he didn't want to test himself against Aspinall."

White noted that he doesn't have the best relationship with Jones before adding:

"What I'm saying about Jon Jones is undebatable. Undebatable what this guy has accomplished in his career, right? And if he beats Stipe and he comes out and fights Tom Aspinall and beats him - it's already undeniable... We're talking about the baddest dude to ever walk the face of the Earth in combat sports already. If he goes out and beats Tom Aspinall, he cements his legacy as the greatest fighter of all-time."

Check out Dana White's comments below (starting at the 4:07 mark):

Jones had hinted at retirement ahead of the cancellation of his UFC 295 clash with Miocic. It is unclear if he is still planning on ending his legendary career, however, he has revealed that he will revisit the idea following his first heavyweight title defense.

Daniel Cormier questions if Jon Jones can beat Tom Aspinall

It is no secret that Daniel Cormier is not the biggest fan of Jones after the two engaged in one of mixed martial arts' biggest rivalries. Speaking to his co-host, Chael Sonnen, on the Good Guy / Bad Guy Podcast, the UFC Hall of Famer questioned if 'Bones' can defeat Tom Aspinall, stating:

"I believe that we are looking at the best heavyweight on the planet because I don't know, man, if Jon Jones will beat this guy, but I will not be quick to say Jon Jones is afraid of him or that it is a foregone conclusion that he beats Jon because I've been in there with Jones.

"I know how tough he is, I know how smart he is and I know how much he loves to compete, and if you love to compete as much as that guy does, he can never be counted out of a fight."

Check out Daniel Cormier's comments below (starting at the 22:08 mark):

Jones and Cormier previously clashed at UFC 182 and UFC 214 in 2015 and 2017, respectively. 'Bones' won both bouts, winning the former via unanimous decision and the latter via third-round knockout. The latter result, however, was later overturned to a no-contest.