'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
It looks like the reigning UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones isn't interested in a unification bout with interim champ Tom Aspinall. Instead, his interest lies in possibly facing UFC light-heavyweight kingpin Alex Pereira.
In an interview with veteran sports journalist Kevin Iole ahead of UFC 309, Jones was asked if he'll face Aspinall to unify his division's belt, should he defeat Stipe Miocic.
Jones replied:
"More than likely not. I feel like Tom Aspinall is, I don't want to say 'nobody', but he just hasn't proven anything. He hasn't done anything. And I understand that, I mean, he won his belt against Sergei [Pavlovich]. Sergei Just got slaughtered by someone else so it's like, I'm not here to gamble someone else making a name off of me. I'm here to compete against the guys where, when we look back ten years from now, it'll be like 'Jon Jones fought this guy and that guy and this legend and this champion."
Trending
Get the latest updates on One Championship Rankings at Sportskeeda and more
Jones added:
"If there were to be a fight [with] a guy that's still on the UFC roster that would be, not only financially worth it, but 'legacy' worth it, it would be Alex Pereira."
Jones then pointed out that both he and Pereira are of similar age, size, and weight. He also added that a fight with 'Poatan' would add more to his legacy than a battle with Aspinall.
Check out Jon Jones' comments below (7:56):
Dana White believes the winner of Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic should face Tom Aspinall
Contrary to what Jon Jones wants, his boss sees things differently. In a recent interview, UFC president Dana White reiterated his belief that the winner of Jones vs. Miocic should face Tom Aspinall. White sees a UFC heavyweight title unification bout as an opportunity for the young Aspinall to make a name for himself - an opportunity given to both Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic in the past.
White said:
“I truly believe that whoever wins this fight, competitively, the way these guys are wired, and the reason why they're both massive legends in the sport, they’re not just going to ride off into the sunset without settling the dispute with Tom Aspinall. "
White added:
"I think that, also, when you think about Jon Jones becoming the youngest world champion, and all the things Stipe [Miocic] has accomplished, they were given opportunities, you know, when they were young. And I think they would reciprocate."
Check out Dana White's comments here:
