Jon Jones explains why Alex Pereira combat extra interesting than UFC title unification vs. Tom Aspinall

UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones is aware of Tom Aspinall holds a chunk of the division’s title, however isn’t concerned with a unification bout.

Jones (27-1 MMA, 21-1 UFC) returns to motion Nov. 16 to face Stipe Miocic in the principle occasion of UFC 309 at Madison Sq. Backyard in New York. It might be the final combat for “Bones” as he has teased a possible retirement.

At 37, with a bonafide Corridor of Fame legacy Jones has created as a two-division UFC champion, stepping away from the game if he defeats Miocic (20-4 MMA, 14-4 UFC), who many view as the perfect heavyweight champion of all time, can be comprehensible.

If Jones continues to combat, a title unification bout in opposition to present interim heavyweight champion Aspinall (15-3 MMA, 8-1 UFC) seems to be the general public’s standard want. Nevertheless, Jones doesn’t share the identical need to make that combat occur.

“Greater than possible not,” Jones told Kevin Iole when requested if he would combat Aspinall after UFC 309. “I really feel like Tom Aspinall is, I don’t need to say no person, however he simply hasn’t confirmed something. He hasn’t achieved something. I perceive he gained his belt in opposition to Sergei, and Sergei simply received slaughtered by another person, so it’s like, I’m not right here to gamble another person making a reputation off of me.”

Aspinall grew to become the interim heavyweight champion by beating Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 295, the unique date for Jones to face Miocic earlier than his pectoral damage. The UFC created an interim title in Jones’ absence, which Aspinall claimed with a first-round knockout.

Aspinall solely has one loss within the UFC, which got here because of damage 15 seconds into his first assembly with Curtis Blaydes. In a rematch at UFC 304, Aspinall recorded a uncommon interim title protection by stopping Blaydes with punches within the opening spherical.

He’s completed each opponent within the UFC, solely reaching the second spherical as soon as. Regardless of Aspinall’s feats within the heavyweight division, Jones stays unimpressed.

“I’m right here to compete in opposition to the fellows the place once we look again, you recognize, 10 years from now, you’ll be like, ‘Jon Jones fought this man and that man, this legend, and that champion and this champion,’” Jones stated.

If Jones continues his profession after UFC 309, just one fighter on the roster piques his curiosity.

“If there have been to be a combat of a man that’s nonetheless on our UFC roster that might be not solely financially price it, however legacy price it, it will be Alex Pereira,” Jones stated. “We’re each 37 years previous. Proper now, I weigh about 235. I’m an extremely mild heavyweight. I feel Pereira walks round at 240. I feel that combat would go a lot farther on my legacy than a younger man who’s cool immediately, and could also be gone tomorrow.

“I bear in mind a time when the entire world thought Johnny Walker was going to be the man to beat me. No disrespect to Johnny Walker, however all of us seen how his profession has performed out. I’ve simply been right here too lengthy to get all enthusiastic about somebody who’s sizzling immediately. I’m right here for legacy. I’ve been playing means too lengthy simply to take random fights.”