Tom Aspinall’s doubts on Jon Jones Unification clash, ‘There’s no way on earth’

The UFC’s heavyweight division finds itself at a crossroads, with interim champion Tom Aspinall casting significant doubt on a potential unification bout against reigning champion Jon Jones. Aspinall’s recent dominant victory over Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304 has further solidified his claim to the throne, yet the silence from Jones’ camp regarding a unification clash has raised concerns per reports from RG.org.

Jones, who captured the undisputed title after a three-year hiatus in March 2023, has been sidelined due to an injury sustained while preparing for his first title defense against Stipe Miocic. Meanwhile, Aspinall has seized the interim belt and defended it, leaving the division in a state of limbo.

In a candid interview on the Believe You Me podcast, Aspinall expressed his skepticism about ever facing Jones inside the Octagon. He stated, “Jon Jones was praying that I would lose that fight against Curtis Blaydes. Because there is nowhere you can find publicly, nowhere that he will fight me. It doesn’t exist.”

Aspinall believes Jones is deliberately avoiding him, waiting for him to slip up so he can retire without ever facing the challenge. “The guy’s smart and we know he’s a bit overweight these days,” Aspinall remarked. “The guy will sit there with his Cheeto fingers, or whatever, the Doritos on his fingers waiting for me to get knocked out so he can start tweeting about it, let’s be honest.”

Jones’ intentions remain unclear, even if he successfully defends his title against Miocic in their rumored November showdown. While some speculate he may retire without unifying the belts, UFC President Dana White believes the competitor in Jones will not allow him to walk away from the sport without testing himself against Aspinall.

At 37 years old, Jones is undoubtedly past his prime, but his legacy as one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time is secure, regardless of whether he fights Aspinall or not. For now, the heavyweight division awaits the outcome of the Jones-Miocic bout and Jones’ subsequent decision.

Meanwhile, Aspinall is not holding his breath. He assumes Jones will continue to avoid him, and he’s prepared to move on if necessary. “I will retire Jon Jones without even fighting him,” Aspinall boldly declared.

The heavyweight division’s future hangs in the balance, with Aspinall’s unwavering confidence and Jones’ uncertain plans creating a compelling narrative. As fans eagerly await the next chapter in this saga, one thing is certain: the road to heavyweight unification is paved with both anticipation and skepticism.