Tom Aspinall Awaits Jon Jones Fight, UFC Negotiations Ongoing
The highly anticipated fight between Tom Aspinall and Jon Jones is expected to be a major showdown in the heavyweight division, with Aspinall looking to prove himself as a worthy champion and Jones seeking to justify his legacy with a substantial payday. The UFC's ability to come to a financial agreement with Jones will be crucial in making the fight happen, and it remains to be seen whether the organization can put together a package to satisfy both parties.
Tom Aspinall, the interim UFC heavyweight titleholder, is waiting for news on his next fight, which is expected to be against Jon Jones for the lineal UFC heavyweight championship. Aspinall has been sworn to secrecy regarding the details of the fight, but promises that an announcement will be made soon.
Aspinall has been waiting nearly two years for a clash with Jones, who defeated Ciryl Gane at UFC 285. The interim titleholder made a rare title defense against Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304, and negotiations for the Aspinall vs. Jones fight have been ongoing. UFC CEO Dana White has hinted that the fight could happen during the UFC's International Fight Week card in June.
Josh Barnett, a former UFC heavyweight champion, believes that the UFC can easily pay Jon Jones a significant amount for a fight against Tom Aspinall. Jones has been seeking a substantial payday to justify risking his legacy against Aspinall, who he claims lacks credibility. Barnett thinks that the UFC can afford to pay Jones a similar amount to what it pays headlining boxers, citing the organization's massive revenue and its ability to generate tens to hundreds of millions of dollars from pay-per-view, merchandise, and ticket sales.
The fight between Aspinall and Jones could be a major test for Jones, who has been praised by his past opponents, including Vitor Belfort and Dominick Reyes. Aspinall's patience and dedication to the sport have earned him a title shot, and it remains to be seen whether the UFC can come to a financial agreement with Jones to make the fight happen. If not, Barnett believes that Aspinall should become the undisputed champion, and that the UFC should strip Jones of the title if he doesn't defend it.