Jon Jones Vs Tom Aspinall: Why Hasn’t UFC Announced Heavyweight Title Unification Bout Yet?

Jon Jones, the reigning UFC heavyweight champion, has not yet had a fight announced against interim champion Tom Aspinall due to several factors primarily revolving around negotiations and financial considerations.

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Jon Jones (28-1 MMA, 22-1 UFC) successfully defended his heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 in November 2023. Following this victory.

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There was significant anticipation for a title unification bout against Tom Aspinall (15-3 MMA, 8-1 UFC), who won the interim heavyweight championship in November 2023. UFC CEO Dana White expressed strong interest in making this matchup happen and indicated that it was a priority for the promotion.

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Dana White has been vocal about his desire to see Jones fight Aspinall, stating that “the plan is to fight Jon this summer.” He emphasized that he hopes to finalize details regarding when and where the fight will occur.

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The primary reason for the delay appears to be related to negotiations between Jon Jones and the UFC. Reports indicate that while both parties are interested in making the fight happen, there are unresolved issues concerning financial compensation.

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Aspinall’s manager mentioned that it depends on whether everyone involved wants to make certain things happen. Furthermore, Jones himself has previously stated that he would require “f* you money” to agree to fight Aspinall4.

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Tom Aspinall has publicly expressed frustration over the situation. He stated that he is eager for the fight and has been actively pursuing it through discussions with the UFC. However, he believes that the hold-up is primarily on Jon Jones’ side.

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As negotiations continue without resolution, there have been suggestions from other fighters within the heavyweight division looking for opportunities should Jones remain inactive. For instance, Jailton Almeida has expressed interest in stepping in if a deal with Jones cannot be finalized8.

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The lack of an announcement regarding Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall stems from ongoing negotiation challenges primarily related to financial agreements and Jon Jones’ willingness to commit to the fight. Both Dana White and Tom Aspinall have indicated their desire for this matchup.

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