Jon Jones, the current Undisputed Champion of the UFC heavyweight division, has shifted focus from a title unification bout with Interim Heavyweight Champion Tom Aspinall to a super fight with UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira. That has, in fact, contemplated the future prospects for the match with Aspinall, posed questions in Jones’s mind as to what he intends to do with his time in the sport as he nears retirement.
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Background on Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall
Jones is generally considered to be one of the best MMA fighters of all time. From championships across two weight categories to various commendable finishes on fight nights, he is the most decorated UFC fighter of all time. After ruling the light-heavyweight division, he went on to grab the heavyweight title while defending it against heavyweight great Stipe Miocic in his last fight.
Aspinall emerged as a number-one contender in the heavyweight division after winning the interim heavyweight title against Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 304. Expectations were that Jones would unify the titles, upon his return but that didn’t happen as “Bones” fought Miocic. In the meantime, the Englishman defended his Interim heavyweight belt against Curtis Blaydes. He was also the backup fighter for Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic’s heavyweight clash.
Focus Shift
Recently, Jon Jones claimed he has no intention of going ahead against Tom Aspinall, specifying a multitude of reasons for his call. He was quite clear about Aspinall’s attitude and behavior, exposing genuine motivation since he finds it really difficult to deal with the Englishman’s antics, which obviously are disrespectful by the interim champion and his fanbase. What he sees now is a matchup against Alex Pereira for whom he has high praise and respect. The Brazilian has also been itching for a fight against Jon Jones.
Jones’s comments thus mean that fighting Pereira would bring in more to him than unifying the titles with Aspinall. That was stated to the media in the buildup to UFC 309 when he stressed that Pereira’s respect and combat sports background would make a fight more palatable. The current undisputed heavyweight champ has also mentioned about picking fights that would build his legacy rather than fighting a new talent.
Effect on Tom Aspinall
The Interim Heavyweight Champion’s chances of a title shot will abruptly shut down while Jones focuses on Pereira. Further complicating the matter is Dana White’s earlier statements that Jones would have to face Aspinall or vacate his title. And with “Bones” seemingly uninterested in this matchup and focused on the Brazilian instead, it is disturbing to think if the Englishman would get the opportunity to unify the heavyweight title.
The 31-year old has taken shots at the undisputed heavyweight champion for avoiding a fight to unify the belts. While White might strip Jones if he decides to fight Pereira, Aspinall in that case would end up becoming the undisputed champion without fighting “Bones”.
It is also important to note that Alex Pereira is scheduled to defend his Light-Heavyweight Championship against Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313. The LHW champion will have to pass the challenge brought by the Dagestani fighter before thinking about the big fight against Jones.
Conclusion
In summary, though Jon Jones is recently leaning toward fighting Pereira instead of getting in the ring with Tom Aspinall, there is significant doubt about the latter’s future for contention of the title. As fans await further developments, it remains to be seen how this happens and if Dana White steps in to ensure title unification takes center stage.
Sachin Singh 
Ashvinkumar Patil