UFC CEO Dana White has finally pulled back the curtain on why the promotion’s most anticipated heavyweight showdown—Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall—remains stuck in limbo. Despite White’s earlier confirmation that the clash will happen in 2025, fans are still waiting for official fight announcements. The bout, pitting the legendary Jones against interim champ Aspinall, has become a hot topic not just for their combined dominance but for their fiery verbal sparring.
Now, White has pinpointed the hurdles delaying this megafight, revealing why the MMA world’s dream matchup is still trapped in bureaucratic purgatory.
Dana White’s candid take on the Jones-Aspinall standoff
At the UFC 313 post-fight press conference, White addressed the elephant in the room: Why isn’t Jones vs. Aspinall booked yet?
“Jon Jones definitely wants this fight,” Dana White asserted. “It’s just when and where—that’s what we’re working on.”
The UFC boss doubled down, expressing confidence the bout will materialize this summer, but logistical fine-tuning remains the holdup.
Tom Aspinall, however, has aired frustrations, suggesting Jones’ camp is dragging its feet. “What’s holding it up is his side,” the interim champ revealed on YouTube.
“The UFC wants this fight badly. But Jon’s weighing the financial risks of facing someone like me.”
Aspinall’s comments highlight the tension between legacy and pragmatism, as Jones—fresh off a dominant win over Stipe Miocic—reportedly prefers “established champions” over “dangerous up-and-comers.”
Jon Jones’ reluctance: Legacy fights vs. new blood
Jones’ stance adds layers to the drama. After UFC 309, the heavyweight king dismissed Aspinall as a risky opponent, stating he’d rather vacate the belt than face unproven contenders. “I’m at a point where I want legacy fights,” Jones emphasized, eyeing a crossover bout with Alex Pereira instead. But Pereira’s shocking loss to Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313 derailed those plans, forcing Jones back to the Aspinall discussion.
Dana White, meanwhile, is threading a needle. While he’s hinted at Pereira fighting the Jon Jones-Tom Aspinall winner, the Brazilian must first avenge his loss to Ankalaev. This leaves Jones in a holding pattern—balancing his desire for “big names” against the UFC’s push for fresh matchups.
Tom Aspinall’s gamble: Risk vs. reward
For Aspinall, the fight is career-defining. A win over Jones would catapult him from interim champ to undisputed superstar. But the Brit’s urgency contrasts with Jones’ cautious calculus. “Does he want to take the risk?” Aspinall mused, questioning Jones’ appetite for a high-stakes brawl. With the UFC’s heavyweight division in flux, White’s challenge is clear: persuade Jones that Aspinall is worth the gamble.
The Jon Jones-Aspinall saga isn’t just about dates and venues—it’s a clash of eras. Jones, a GOAT chasing legacy, versus Tom Aspinall, a hungry phenom chasing history. Dana White’s optimism suggests the fight will happen, but until contracts are signed, fans remain in suspense. As Pereira’s loss reshuffles the deck, one truth endures: in MMA, even the surest bets hinge on pen meeting paper.