To͏m A͏spin͏all has been eager to fi͏gh͏t t͏he ͏legen͏ds of h͏is d͏iv͏ision, b͏u͏t it͏ appea͏rs that ͏the Briti͏sh ͏f͏i͏g͏͏hte͏r will have to͏ sw͏al͏low a bi͏tter pi͏ll. Neit͏he͏r Jon Jone͏s n͏or Stipe Mioc͏i͏c cons͏iders hi͏m ͏͏a worthy conten͏der for ͏a b͏out. The Britisher and Jon Jones have never crossed paths, despite the former’s status as the interim champ of the division while Jones dons the heavyweight crown. Well, what’s the status of their fight? Will the heavyweight champion give Aspinall a chance to claim the 265 divisional gold? The heavyweight champion appeared to have answered this question in his latest confession while shedding light on his retirement status.

The heavyweight champion is expected to face Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 to defend his title for the very first time at Madison Square Garden and just 9 days away from the fight, Jon Jones has emphasized that he would rather not fight Tom Aspinall after defending his title against Miocic. During a conversation with Kevin Lole, ‘Bones’ confessed that he would most probably not defend his title again after UFC 309, “More than likely not. More than likely not,” said Jon Jones.

He further added, “I feel like Tom Aspinall, I don’t wanna say nobody, but he just hasn’t proven anything. He hasn’t done anything. And I mean, he won his belt against Sergei Pavlovich; Sergei just got slaughtered by someone else. So it’s just like, I’m not here to gamble on someone else making a name off me. I’m here to compete against the guys where, when we look back, you know, 10 years from now, it would be like Jon Jones fought this guy and that guy and this legend and this champion and this champion.”

Tom͏ A͏spinall has proven his prowess as a fighter with the potential to build a lasting legacy. As͏ a h͏eav͏yweigh͏t, he͏ possesses t͏he agilit͏y and sp͏eed ͏of a ͏middleweight. His record speaks vol͏umes. Most ͏of his opponents͏ hav͏e fell to him in the v͏ery͏ f͏irst ro͏und. Asp͏in͏a͏ll has 15 victo͏rie͏s, 14 ͏of which ͏have ͏c͏ome ͏by f͏irst-round͏ finish. He avenged his lone loss against Curtis Blaydes when he finished him in the very first round at UFC 304. In addition to that, he has finished three of the top five fighters in the 265 lb division. Regardless, despite these records, Jones believes that Aspinall has to achieve more to compete against him.

Well, Dana White believes that Jon Jones would settle his score against Tom Aspinall, “I truly believe that whoever wins this fight, competitively, the way these guys are wired, and the reason why they’re both massive legends in the sport, they’re not just going to ride off into the sunset without settling the dispute with Tom Aspinall.” However, it appears that the heavyweight champ has no reason to face Aspinall.

Interestingly, Jon Jones has expressed his interest in facing the light-heavyweight champion Alex Pereira instead. He said, “If there were a fight against a guy that’s still on our UFC roster that would be not only financially worth it but legacy worth it, it would be Alex Pereira.” The heavyweight champion has given his reasoning for a fight against Alex Pereira.

Jon Jones vs. Alex Pereira soon? Is a blockbuster fight on the cards?

Alex Pereira is next in the line with Ilia Topuria to be the fighter of the year. The light-heavyweight champion has already defended his title three times this year. If he faces and beats Magomed Ankalaev, he would have overcome most of the contenders in the division. So, what’s next for Pereira? Well, the light-heavyweight champion has expressed his interest in jumping to the heavyweight division to clash against Jon Jones and it appears that even ‘Bones’ would like to cross roads against the Brazilian.

During the same conversation with Kevin Lole, Jon Jones explained that a fight with Pereira is what he would like to have rather than defending his title against Tom Aspinall, “We’re[Alex Pereira and himself] both 37 years old. Right now, I weigh about 235. I’m an incredibly light heavyweight. I think Pereira walks around at 240. I think that fight would go much farther on my legacy than a young man who’s cool today, and may be gone tomorrow.

He further added, “I remember a time when the whole world thought Johnny Walker was going to be the guy to beat me. No disrespect to Johnny Walker, but we all seen how his career has played out. I’ve just been here too long to get all excited about someone who is hot today. I’m here for legacy. I’ve been gambling way too long just to take random fights.”

So is there any possibility of their fight? Well, Alex Pereira will be on hiatus for some time as he has been cast in a movie. The Brazilian will most likely be away for a few months. His next fight will be against Ankalaev who is the number one contender in the division. If Pereira defeats the Dagestani then more than likely, he would be fighting Jon Jones if he doesn’t retire. Regardless, what’s your take on the hubbub? State your thoughts in the comments below.