Dana White was at all times assured he may put collectively the combat between Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall, however now he’s taken issues one step additional.
On Saturday night time, following the ultimate UFC occasion of the yr in Tampa, the UFC CEO supplied an absolute assure that Jones vs. Aspinall goes to occur in 2025, and he expects that combat to interrupt information when two champions lastly collide.
“Yeah, I’ll say one hundred pc [guaranteed],” White stated when requested about Jones vs. Aspinall. “one hundred pc [it’s a priority]. I believe it’s in all probability the largest combat in heavyweight historical past, and it’s a large within the historical past of the corporate, too. It’s a giant combat.”
That’s a daring proclamation from White, who often doesn’t supply up that stage of confidence except he’s already received a contract in hand so it speaks volumes concerning the plans surrounding Jones vs. Aspinall heading into the New 12 months.
Even earlier than Jones dominated and completed Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 in November, White anticipated that the winner of that combat would transfer onto face Aspinall in a title unification bout. Following Jones’ lopsided victory, he downplayed his curiosity in combating Aspinall and as a substitute advised a showdown in opposition to UFC gentle heavyweight champion Alex Pereira.
White instantly shot down these plans and he remained steadfast that Jones would finally come round to simply accept the Aspinall combat irrespective of how a lot he says in any other case.
“It’s bizarre,” White stated about Jones. “Let me inform you what’s bizarre about that. So often these guys say that shit behind the scenes and never publicly. Jon says that shit publicly however not behind the scenes. Jon is a really distinctive particular person to take care of.”
Jones’ largest criticism concerning the combat boils right down to Aspinall’s lack of huge combat expertise the place a win wouldn’t actually add a lot to his resume and general legacy.
Whereas Aspinall sports activities a powerful 8-1 file within the UFC, he’s solely competed in two interim title fights and that pales compared to Jones’ almost unblemished resume, which incorporates victories in 16 championship bouts.
That stated, Aspinall is broadly thought of the highest heavyweight within the sport, which features a blistering ending fee with just one combat making it previous the primary spherical out of his eight wins within the UFC.
As a lot as Jones could protest publicly, White stands by his perception that when push involves shove, he’ll be capable to get a deal accomplished to make the combat in opposition to Aspinall earlier than 2025 concludes.
“From day one, I’ve been assured that Jon Jones would do this combat,” White stated. “I imply even earlier than the combat, I stated if he received, there’s no manner Jon doesn’t do that combat. Jon Jones isn’t afraid to combat anyone and that’s a reality. The one time that something remotely bizarre has ever occurred with Jon Jones is the time that his f*cking camp did the bizarre Chael Sonnen factor. ‘We will’t combat Chael Sonnen on brief discover.’ That wasn’t him. That was his staff, and he listened to his staff for no matter motive.
“However that’s just like the goofiest f*cking transfer within the historical past of the UFC. However apart from that, Jon Jones behind the scenes isn’t a man that turns down fights.”
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