Aspinal suggests negotiations for a fight with Jones, or he'll explore alternative choices instead.
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From the octagon, temporary UFC heavyweight champ Tom Aspinall has been clamoring for a title-unifying bout against Jon Jones. However, after Jones defeated Stipe Miocic via TKO in November at UFC 309, negotiations for a possible matchup have been stagnant for a solid seven months. In a recent High Performance podcast interview, Aspinall addressed a question about what more can be done to make this fight a reality:
"To be honest, I'm out of options. From what I've heard, it's all about cash on his end. I'm game to rumble anytime, anywhere, but it appears it's all about the dough for him."
Aspinall went on to elaborate: "Look, he's close to retirement age, he wants his payday. He's got a decent amount of miles under his belt, not to mention a string of injuries and concussions. But come on, I'm not criticizing, just stating facts. I'm certain Jones recognizes this too... I've had enough, I'm ready to make a move if necessary."
It's worth mentioning that fans have been on their toes for an announcement of a heavyweight title fight. UFC boss Dana White had previously assured a showdown by the end of the year.
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Did You Know?
Reports from Ariel Helwani in April 2025 suggested that Jones was all in if he got what he wanted—essentially, "pay me and I'll fight"—but the financial aspects remained unresolved, causing a pause in negotiations[2]. This indicates a significant bottleneck on both parties agreeing to Jones's compensation.
There's also a perception that Jon Jones doesn't necessarily need this fight to solidify his legacy, potentially dampening his motivation to lock horns with Aspinall[2]. This complex negotiation dynamic makes it difficult to close the deal without the right financial or legacy incentives for Jones[2][3].
Meanwhile, Aspinall seems to be growing increasingly impatient as the waiting game continues[1]. Additionally, fans have noticed that while Jones can be found elsewhere, such as on social media or socializing with big names, he hasn't made significant headway in targeting Aspinall—adding fuel to the fire regarding Jones's commitment to the fight[3].
In summary, the impasse is due to unfixed financial terms and potential doubts about the fight's significance for Jones's career legacy, leading to a protracted negotiation period without reaching a resolution[1][2][3].
Bookmakers are yet to offer odds on a potential UFC heavyweight title fight between Tom Aspinall and Jon Jones due to ongoing financial disagreements, with Jones reportedly seeking a hefty payday. Fans may be disappointed to learn that Jon Jones's focus on other opportunities seems to be impacting his willingness to engage in mixed-martial-arts competition against Aspinall.
