The sitcom-esque “will-they, won’t-they” of the MMA world; we have still yet to hear whether the UFC and CEO, Dana White, will finally manage to make the biggest heavyweight fight in the promotion’s history: Jon Jones v.s. Tom Aspinall for the Undisputed UFC Heavyweight Title
And after months of waiting and wondering, there is still no further inclination as to whether the UFC will manage to get the fight finalized, but Dana White did give an insight into the deadline set to get both sides – a.k.a Jones – to agree to fight, speaking on the Jim Rome show on Tuesday.
When asked by Rome if Jones will ultimately fight Aspinall, White had a far more measured approach than previous swathes of confident bravado echoed in numerous interviews and media moments over the past few months.
“I don’t know, we’ll see how this thing plays out over the next couple of weeks,” White said to Rome, “If we can’t get this fight done, we’ll move on quickly.”
When Rome asked the UFC head to clarify exactly how long the organization would wait for Jones to decide on his future, White reiterated that the promotion will “have answers in a couple of weeks” – perhaps with the International Fight Week the implied deadline for a decision from the appointed UFC, and possibly MMA GOAT.
Dana White Shows First Signs Of Doubt On Jones – Aspinall Future
In previous media appearances, White has emphasized that it is a matter of when, not if, that the reigning heavyweight champion and current interim champion decide an undisputed champion at 265 lbs once and for all.
MMA journalist, Ariel Helwani, reported back in May that the UFC agreed to the payment desired by Jones, thought to be well in excess of the $10 million mark for this one fight alone.
Yet, even with the financials worked out, Jones has been pouring off content on social media to suggest that he is retired, and is no longer interested in fighting in the UFC.
Will The UFC Manage To Convince Jon Jones To Fight One Last Time?
With this single fight having the potential add significant financial reward to Jones in what would undoubtedly be the single biggest payday of his career, it feels like this is a bout that would be hard for the GOAT to say no to.
But with an already stable financial situation and a long-lasting reputation on the line, it is not totally shocking that the former light heavyweight champion is not willing to risk his all-time legacy of never having lost a fight (minus a very questionable DQ to Matt Hamill), for one last post-prime hurrah against what could be his most dangerous opponent yet in Aspinall.
Every man has his price, but if Jones simply won’t play ball, the UFC – as Dana White conceded – will have no choice but to find another opponent for the Brit to finally fight for the undisputed title.
Dana White Reveals Final Deadline To Deliver Jones – Aspinall Fight