Topics: UFC, MMA, Jon Jones, Tom Aspinall, Ariel Helwani
Leading MMA journalist Ariel Helwani won't be laying the blame at UFC's door if the touted Tom Aspinall and Jon Jones fight doesn't come to pass.
UFC World Heavyweight Champion Jones reportedly pulled out of the blockbuster title unification bout just days after it was confirmed, with interim heavyweight champion Aspinall now set to face Ciryl Gane at UFC 317 in June.
Aspinall knocked out Sergei Pavolovich to win the interim belt in November 2023 and successfully defended it against Curtis Blaydes last July.
The Englishman would become only the second fighter in the history of UFC to defend an interim title twice before a unification fight. Typically a fighter who wins an interim belt will enter the octagon for their next fight against the champion.
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Gane facing off against Jones wouldn't be as much of a draw as the highly anticipated battle between Aspinall and Jones, who won the title from Gane at UFC 285 in 2023.
Helwani, who is one of the most respected journalists in the game, says both Aspinall and UFC want the fight.
"The UFC has, based on the conversations that I've had, what I'm reading and surmising and what's being told to me, is they have made every effort, in very good faith, to make this fight happen," he said on The Ariel Helwani Show.
"In my opinion, if this fight doesn't happen it's not because of the UFC.
"It's not because of Tom Aspinall as well. I think ultimately who will decide if this fight happens or not is Jon Jones.
"It's up to him and it's always been up to him."
UFC legend Chael Sonnen revealed that a source told him that one of Jones' demands is that he has six months to prepare, while Aspinall wants the fight as soon as possible.
Helwani understands that the terms are in place for a financial deal that works well for both Aspinall and Jones, adding that, "I believe the UFC has met all of the demands in a very favourable way for both guys."
The previous title bout between Jones and Gane was a dominant win for the American and the risk of a rematch instead of an Aspinall vs Jones superfight is not one UFC would ideally have chosen to take.
