Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall reveal negotiations with UFC

Zane Simon

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Publish Date: 11/25/2024

Dana White expected radio silence from Jon Jones after his recent victory, but it sounds like 'Bones' is already looking for his next fight.

The UFC heavyweight champion defeated Stipe Miocic in a controversial heavyweight title fight at UFC 309. The bout went off without a hitch. However, many fans and pundits derided the UFC for favoring an inactive former champion for the title shot against Jones. Current interim champ Tom Aspinall made a nuisance of himself all fight week, garnering cheers from the crowd for his demands to fight Jones.

Jon Jones teases, backtracks on Aspinall fight

After dispatching Miocic via 3rd round TKO, Jon Jones briefly sounded like he might consider fighting Aspinall.

"If everything goes right we'll give you guys what you want to see," Jones told the crowd, alluding to a bout against the British interim champ. That message was short lived, however. By the time the Jackson-Wink fighter was backstage, talking to the press, the idea of unifying the UFC title sounded more and more remote.

“I just feel like anybody would understand at this point," Jones said of dismissing the Aspinall fight. "I’ll retire the heavyweight belt if I have to. … Tom can have the heavyweight championship. I don’t really care about it.”

Jones changes track again

If those words sounded as though Jones vs. Aspinall was dead in the water, Dana White was still bullish on the idea. "Jon's going to disappear. ... And then he will resurface... and we'll get it done," the UFC president explained. Little did he know how short he'd have to wait.

In a recent interview with MMA personality the 'Schmo', Jones revealed that he is already in talks with the UFC. From the sound of things, it looks like both he and Aspinall are ready to come to the table and try to make a deal.

"So, right now, the UFC and I, we're in negotiations," Jones explained. "We're in talks to see what happens next. I'm back in the gym, I'm training, I'm feeling really great. And we'll just be ready for whatever opportunity comes our way."

"Yes, I will be competing in 2025, more than likely," he added."

Jon Jones Tickles The Schmo's Pickle on UFC Return

Tom Aspinall in negotiations as well

As aforementioned, Jon Jones isn't the only one at the bargaining table, Tom Aspinall is as well. The interim heavyweight champion revealed as much in a video uploaded to his social media accounts.

"We're in negotiations right now, is the honest answer" Aspinall explained in a self-recorded video. "We don't know when the fight is going to be, but I'll be ready to go whenever. I'm back in the gym now. I'm back in the gym training as always. And I'll be ready to fight when they let me know. Until then, I'll be improving, I'll be getting better... Right now we're just waiting for a date. That's it."

Aspinall also teased an announcement on social media.