Tom Aspinall has huge decision to make over Jon Jones and Francis Ngannou and the choice is obvious

Tom Aspinall should forget Jon Jones and force a fight against Francis Ngannou. Here's why.

Jones has been messing with Aspinall for several months now and it's time for him to return the favour.

Ngannou entered the Jones vs. Aspinall saga after his coach revealed the ex-UFC heavyweight champion is interested in returning to the promotion, having departed in 2023 after a contract dispute.

That immediately alerted 'Bones', who seemed to turn his attention to Ngannou over Aspinall.

"I’m hearing Francis Ngannou is still interested... now we’re talking," he wrote on X. "That’s a real super fight. A clash of champions, not just hype. He held the UFC belt, I’ve defended mine for over a decade. Two kings from different roads. Not just one legend facing a mouth that’s hot right now, but two real legacies colliding."

Then we heard it from the horse's mouth as Ngannou teased a monstrous showdown against Jones.

"You take care of the UFC, I'll take care of the PFL, and we'll finally find out who's the KING OF THE HEAVYWEIGHT," he said in a social media post.

Francis Ngannou left the UFC as heavyweight champion. Image: Getty

Francis Ngannou and Dana White have contract problem

Of course, there's a big sticking point.

Ngannou is no longer contracted to the UFC, having penned a deal with PFL - and, as we all know, Dana White doesn't co-promote.

Despite White claiming he wouldn't re-sign Ngannou to the UFC, if there's big business to be done with having him back on the roster, then rest assured, he'll get a call.

Look no further than the Tito Ortiz situation, where he once wore a t-shirt, emblazoned with 'Dana is my b*tch'.

Ortiz, the company's original poster boy, later returned to the UFC after White put all their differences aside.

Point being, beef or disputes don't get in the way if there's millions of dollars waiting on the table.

Tom Aspinall hasn't fought since his victory over Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304 last July. Image: Getty

Tom Aspinall ready to fight

Here's where Aspinall comes into play. He's already made his feelings clear on potentially facing Ngannou, stating he doesn't turn down fights.

"The day I start ducking out of fights and turning opponents down is the day that I'm going to retire," he said on his YouTube channel.

"As I've always said, I'll fight anyone. I'll fight anytime and I'll fight anywhere. Never turned down a fight in my life. Never will."

Jon Jones celebrates after beating Stipe Miocic at UFC 309. Image: Getty

So, the ball is somewhat already in motion for Aspinall vs. Ngannou, who penned a 'multi-fight deal' with PFL after ending his UFC association.

But crazier things have happened, and PFL have made some high-profile releases after acquiring Bellator. While Ngannou doesn't fit the profile of the fighters who have departed, you can't rule him out returning to the UFC in some capacity.

Turki Alalshikh to the rescue?

Could Turk Alalshikh get involved? The powerful Saudi advisor, who is working alongside White for their new boxing venture, could do what he has done in boxing in MMA by getting promoters to work with each other.

Aspinall should leave Jones in his rear-view mirror and gun for a showdown against Ngannou in what would be a monstrous clash - literally and proverbially.

With both their strengths being their vicious stand-up game, Aspinall vs. Ngannou promises to be an absolute fire-fight and seems almost impossible not to deliver.

Plus, there's also the added incentive that Ngannou is the lineal UFC heavyweight champion having never lost his title in the Octagon. Jones picked up the vacant UFC heavyweight title. In other words, he is a 'paper champion'.

And imagine the scenes if the British star snubbed Jones and began to pursue a lucrative fight against Ngannou.

Aspinall has relentlessly called out Jones, but he appears to be barking up the wrong tree. In the words of Bruce Buffer, 'IT'S TIME' for him to move on and see if he can land a fight against Ngannou.