Ask any MMA fan about their dream fight for 2025. The title clash between UFC heavyweight kingpin Jon Jones and interim champion Tom Aspinall will be the answer for many. Especially after the performance Jones put on display last weekend at UFC 309 against Stipe Miocic. This fight is so big that it has veterans from other sports chiming in and debating on this topic. NFL Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe joined the trend as well to give his opinion about Jones and the Aspinall fight, and he believes it is a foregone conclusion.

While speaking to Stephen A. Smith at ESPN MMA, he said, “Look I understand everybody wants to see Aspinall and I hope he makes it happen. Like he says he wants ‘F— you’ money to do it. But guess what? He will beat him and they’re going to try to find somebody else, they keep trying to find… At some point in time, you are going to have to come to the realization, that what Dana White and a lot of the greats in MMA have said – he is the greatest, he is the GOAT.”

He even mentioned how ‘Bones’ started at 23 and is still fighting and winning at 38. Sharpe added, “He has been the champ since he was 23. He is 38. Who has held a belt that long? Who’s had a championship in a combat sport? Stephen because you know one elbow, one kick, one punch can end it, and the man has had a reign for 15 years.”

The NFL legend had previously even written about this on X adding his voice to the never-ending debate. He dismissed the idea of any arguments against Jones not being the GOAT. Sharpe stated on X, “The GOAT UFC fighter is JON ‘BONES’ JONES. The pound 4-pound best fighter is also JON ‘BONES’ JONES. Please no more questions about who it is. It’s him and it’s not close. Go debate with your kitchen appliances.”

Stephen A. Smith, meanwhile, made his case as to why Aspinall has to be the next fight for Jones, and not Alex Pereira. “Let me say this, that brother [Pereira] is something special himself. But he’s not the size. I know he’s got the power. But he can’t mess with Jon ‘Bones’ Jones. He’s got no shot.”

‘Bones’ wants legacy and big money fights. His idea for the some? A BMF fight against Alex Pereira. But Dana White instantly shut down the idea, although he later stated it could be made if Jones gets past Aspinall and Pereira gets past Magomed Ankalaev.

Indeed Jones has solidified his legacy once again by winning against Miocic and is also the youngest UFC champ in the promotion’s history. Now the question is, if Jones is the best, what is holding Dana White back from making the Tom Aspinall fight happen?

Why is Dana White not preparing a  Jones vs Aspinall?

In his latest interview on the Noah Kara YouTube podcast, Dana White revealed what became “an albatross around the neck,” speaking about the delay of Jones vs Aspinall. He explained the reason saying,  “This is a fight that they both wanted; it’s the fight that needs to happen.”

So according to the head honcho, the fight is in the cards. The Jon Jones vs. Miocic was supposed to happen at UFC 295 but Jones had to withdraw due to a pectoral injury. It finally took place last week, with Jones emerging victorious over Miocic in a dominant performance that ended with a spinning kick.

Dana White explained why ‘Honey Badger’ had to wait for his chance at the title and said that the legends needed to settle their score first. He said, “And, uh, you know, there’s no doubt that Tom Aspinall is a bad boy. Yeah, but Tom’s got to wait until these legends settle their fight, and then Tom’s gonna get his chance.”

Do you think White will make this fight happen? Share your thoughts in the comments below.