Topics: UFC, Jon Jones, Stipe Miocic, Dana White, Tom Aspinall, MMA
UFC president and CEO Dana White has spoken out to confirm the next opponent for heavyweight champion Jon Jones, if he gets past Stipe Miocic at UFC 309.
On Saturday night, UFC icon Jon Jones finally returns to the octagon to defend his heavyweight belt against former champion and fellow legend of the sport Stipe Miocic.
Ahead of the fight, there has been discourse online about the American fighting interim champion Tom Aspinall, with Jones himself saying that he doesn't plan on facing the Brit next time out.
But now, UFC president and CEO White has spoken out to confirm exactly who Jones will face next should he get the win over Miocic this weekend.
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Speaking on The Jim Rome Show, White said: “If Jon Jones wants to fight again after Saturday night, he will fight Tom Aspinall.”
Throughout fight week, Jones has been outspoken about how he does not want to gamble his legacy against the British interim champ, and instead plans to take on 'fun' fights against the likes of light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira.
The rivalry between Aspinall and Jones started shortly after the American champion was forced to pull out the first scheduled fight with Miocic after sustaining a pectoral injury.
With the champion confirmed to be out of action for a long-term period, an interim championship title bout was organised on short notice between Aspinall and knockout artist Sergei Pavlovich.
Coming in on just 17 days notice, Aspinall claimed the interim belt with a knockout win over the formidable Russian, seemingly setting up a unification fight with Jones when he was fit.
But instead, Jones' fight with Miocic was rebooked, forcing the 31-year-old to defend his interim belt, an extremely rare occurrence, against former foe Curtis Blaydes in Manchester.
And after securing another first round knockout over the American challenger, Aspinall took the opportunity to call out the decorated UFC legend on the microphone.
The Brit said: "I've just spoken to the boss man, who wants to see Jon Jones v Tom Aspinall?"
Before speaking directly to the champ, adding: "Hello Jon, I have nothing against you personally, but I just think I'm better than you. I know I can beat you in a fight, so I'm coming for it."
