Dana White confirms: Jon Jones vs Tom Aspinall is happening

UFC President Dana White confirms Jon Jones vs Tom Aspinall will happen. The heavyweight clash is closer than ever.

Dana White: “It’s just a matter of when now”

UFC President Dana White has given fans the update they’ve been waiting for — Jon Jones vs Tom Aspinall is not only in the works, but it’s essentially a done deal. According to White, the matchup is no longer a matter of “if” but “when”.

“The fight is going to happen. It’s just a matter of when now, getting it signed and done. The fight will happen,” White told TNT Sports during an interview on Friday.

This highly anticipated title unification bout between reigning heavyweight champion Jon Jones and interim champ Tom Aspinall is set to determine who truly sits on the heavyweight throne.

Injury setbacks, replacements, and growing tension

Jon Jones hasn’t fought since his dominant knockout win over Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 in November 2023. Prior to that, he claimed the vacant heavyweight title in his divisional debut by submitting Ciryl Gane at UFC 285.

Jones was originally scheduled to defend his title against Miocic at UFC 295, but a torn pectoral muscle forced him out. That injury opened the door for Tom Aspinall, who stepped in on short notice and destroyed Sergei Pavlovich with a 69-second knockout to win the interim belt.

White, speaking to MMAFighting, reiterated that the fight is happening:

“It’s going to happen. It’s done but it’s not done. Not done enough to sit right here now and announce it and give you a date. But the fight is going to happen. It’s just a matter of getting it signed now.”

Aspinall lays it down: “Fight me or retire”

Tom Aspinall has been outspoken about the delay. With the interim belt in hand and no upcoming fight booked, the British contender is pressuring Jones to make a decision.

“There’s nowhere to go for Jon,” Aspinall told media recently. “He either has to fight me or retire now. And if he does retire, everyone knows that he will have been avoiding me. So there literally isn’t another fight for Jon at the moment. So it works out pretty good.”

Aspinall last competed at UFC 304 in July, where he knocked out Curtis Blaydes in spectacular fashion. With the interim title defended, he’s now solely focused on unifying the division and claiming undisputed gold.

UFC’s biggest heavyweight title fight ever?

Dana White believes the stakes have never been higher in the UFC heavyweight division. In his words, Jones vs Aspinall is the most significant heavyweight fight the promotion has ever put together.

“Me and my crew believe that this is probably the biggest heavyweight fight we’ve done,” White said. “When we pull this off, and actually make the fight and announce it and start leading up to it, this will be the biggest heavyweight fight in UFC history.”

Jon Jones is already a legend, having remained unbeaten for over a decade and held titles in two weight classes. Tom Aspinall represents the next generation — a technical, explosive powerhouse who has stormed his way through the division.

Multiple sources suggest UFC 306 in September is being targeted for the fight. The event is expected to take place at The Sphere in Las Vegas — a groundbreaking venue that White has described as perfect for historic matchups.

Summary

Jon Jones vs Tom Aspinall is finally coming together. According to Dana White, the UFC is ready, the fighters are willing, and only signatures remain before this epic heavyweight clash becomes official.

Who do you think wins – the legend Jon Jones or the surging contender Tom Aspinall? Let us know at MMAnytt.se and join the debate!

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