Jon Jones pulls out of Tom Aspinall fight just days after date was confirmed with shock replacement named for UFC 317

Jon Jones has reportedly pulled out of his UFC heavyweight title fight with Tom Aspinall, who will now face another opponent at UFC 317 this summer.

Earlier this week, reports began circulating that the highly-anticipated UFC heavyweight title clash between Jones and Aspinall had finally been agreed and was set to be announced in the coming days.

A title unification bout between the two men has been on the cards ever since Aspinall claimed the interim heavyweight title with a first round knockout win over the formidable Sergei Pavlovich in November 2023.

But now, it appears that just days after the fight was confirmed, Jones may have pulled out of the bout, as a new report from a UFC legend has revealed that Aspinall will instead face someone else this summer.

Historically, it's very rare that a UFC fighter who wins an interim belt will be expected to defend it or face anyone other than the champion in their next bout.

It's even more rare that they would have to defend their interim title on more than one occasion, with former UFC bantamweight champion Renan Barao the only fighter in the organisation's history to defend an interim belt twice.

But, that is exactly what Aspinall will do this summer, as he will face former title challenger Ciryl Gane to defend his interim heavyweight belt at UFC 317 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, according to a report from UFC legend Chael Sonnen.

Sonnen revealed that a source called him to explain that Jones has demanded six months to prepare for what would be his second title defence since winning the title over two years ago in March 2023, while Aspinall wants to fight as soon as possible.

Tom Aspinall won the UFC interim heavyweight title in November 2023, beating Sergei Pavlovich. (Image: Getty)

He adds that the winner of the Aspinall vs Gane in June would then go on to fight Jones for the title at the end of the year once the champion feels that he is ready to compete.

Although Sonnen agreed that the Brit shouldn't waste the prime years of his career on the sidelines, he expressed concerns that the UFC are risking Aspinall losing Gane and therefore killing the chances of the superfight with Jones.

Jones instead facing Gane, who he beat to win the title two years ago, would be seen as a complete let down and would lack the excitement of a fight with Aspinall given the dominance the American showed over Gane in their first fight.