Ariel Helwani 'reveals new deadline' for Jon Jones vs Tom Aspinall amid claims UFC legend could be stripped of title
Ariel Helwani has 'revealed the new deadline' for the proposed UFC showdown between Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall.
A monstrous undisputed UFC clash between champion Jones and interim title holder Aspinall remains in the works despite Dana White's best efforts.
The heavyweight fight plunged into serious doubt when 'Bones' seemingly called time on his legendary career.
The Brit insists he doesn't care about fighting Jones as he wants a shot at undisputed glory, with the American issuing a savage putdown to his rival.
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Talks continue to stall as combat sports reporter Helwani shared his prediction for when the UFC will make a final decision.
He believes a decision will be made by International Fight Week, which will culminate with UFC 317 in Las Vegas, Nevada, on June 28.
Speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show, he said: "I think... in about a month or so... by International Fight Week we'll know what's up. That's my new prediction. That's the new deadline."
Helwani believes the UFC are hoping they can convince Jones to face Aspinall but reckons he is 'done'.
He added: "I think they are holding out hope that they will be able to convince him... I think he's done."
The 37-year-old hasn't fought since his third-round victory over Stipe Miocic last November.
The UFC have been backed to strip Jones of his UFC heavyweight title in order to keep the division moving.
As for Aspinall, he last fought when he stopped Curtis Blaydes to defend his interim UFC heavyweight strap.
The 32-year-old has been waiting on the sidelines since defending his interim title and has lamented his inactivity in the UFC.
Daniel Cormier, however, is convinced his former foe will meet Aspinall inside the famed Octagon.
"I think that he will fight him," he said on his YouTube channel. "I don't think they'll need to strip him, I think he'll fight him. He could walk away and go, 'I'm the best, I don't need to do anything else'.
"The idea that he ran is going to be too strong of a pull for him as he goes into the next phase of his career."
Topics: Jon Jones, Tom Aspinall, UFC, Ariel Helwani
Nasir Jabbar