MMA News

Tag: Jon Jones

  • Jon Jones ‘Amused’ By Watching Colby Covington ‘Fail Repeatedly’ After Latest UFC Loss

    Jon Jones ‘Amused’ By Watching Colby Covington ‘Fail Repeatedly’ After Latest UFC Loss

    UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones has become the latest to express joy over Colby Covington’s recent setback inside the cage.

    After a third failed attempt at capturing the undisputed welterweight crown against Leon Edwards 12 months ago, Covington returned on short notice in pursuit of a key bounce-back victory.

    But while he hoped that would come at the expense of Joaquin Buckley, the polarizing former interim champ was soundly beaten at the year-ending UFC Fight Night in Tampa this past weekend.

    Though a doctor’s stoppage brought a close to proceedings in round three, many believed the writing was on the wall after “New Mansa” largely beat Covington up for the duration of the main event.

    Given his antics on the mic, “Chaos” isn’t short on enemies and detractors. And from those in the fanbase to current welterweight kingpin Belal Muhammad, plenty got a laugh out of Saturday’s headline result.

    The latest to do so is Jones, who shares a bitter beef with Covington, a former roommate of his at Central Iowa Community College.

    “Big shoutout to Colby Covington for skipping training to get President Trump ‘ready’—we all appreciate the sacrifice (clown emoji) At least he got to see me win,” Jones wrote on X.

    “Bones” later shared a laugh with a responding fan about the litany of excuses Covington often comes up with to explain his defeats.

    “That’s what I find the most hilarious, listening to what he’s gonna come up with next after getting his ass whooped”

    And Jones later pointed to his history with the veteran welterweight, who has frequently criticized the former light heavyweight titleholder.

    “I know I shouldn’t but it’s just so much fun. It’s amusing watching someone you know hate you fail repeatedly.”

    With the result at Tampa’s Amalie Arena, Covington is now 2-4 across his last six and 0-4 against names currently inside the welterweight top 15.

    It remains to be seen what comes next for the 36-year-old, but it’s safe to say his chances of a fourth crack at the undisputed belt have slimmed dramatically.

  • Tom Aspinall: Jon Jones’ Failed Drug Tests Disqualify Him As Greatest Fighter

    Tom Aspinall: Jon Jones’ Failed Drug Tests Disqualify Him As Greatest Fighter

    Tom Aspinall has shared a compelling argument for why Jon Jones might not be regarded as the greatest fighter of all time.

    For years, Jones’ name has been enshrined in conversations about the greatest mixed martial artists of all time, with his career achievements loudly affirming why he’s often seen as deserving of that title.

    “Bones” cemented his place in UFC history as the youngest champion ever, capturing the light heavyweight title at just 23 years old. With a remarkable career record of 28-1, his sole loss remains a hotly debated blemish. Furthermore, Jones holds an unbroken streak in 16 world title fights, underscoring his dominance in the sport.

    However, as the saying goes, nothing in this universe is flawless.

    Jones’ decorated career has not been without its blemishes, plagued by a string of high-profile controversies, including multiple notorious positive tests for banned substances. It’s this shadow over his legacy that fuels Aspinall’s belief that, despite Jones’ monumental achievements, the reigning UFC heavyweight champion falls short of earning the GOAT title.

    During a recent interview with Piers Morgan, Aspinall began by recognizing “Bones” for his impressive achievements but quickly shifted focus to the American’s failed drug tests, calling him a cheat. According to the Brit, those infractions gave Jones an unfair advantage over his opponents.

    “Let me first start by saying Jon is absolutely elite, and I completely agree with the notion that he’s one of the best fighters ever,” Aspinall said. “Potentially [the greatest], but the way that I look at is he has failed a couple of drug tests. To me, that rules you out of being the best of all-time. For me, personally.

    “If you’re on steroids or whatever — I don’t think he was on steroids, but he was on PEDs, performance-enhancing drugs. If you’re on PEDs and your opponent isn’t, that’s absolutely cheating in my book unless you’re both allowed to do it.”

    Jones made the first defense of his heavyweight title with a dominant third-round TKO victory over Stipe Miocic at UFC 309. Since then, speculation has been running rampant about who might be next in line to challenge him. As the interim heavyweight champion, Aspinall is widely regarded as the natural contender for a shot at the undisputed title.

    Despite Jones’ consistent lack of interest in facing Aspinall, UFC CEO Dana White has expressed a strong intention to make the highly anticipated title unification clash happen in the near future.

  • Colby Covington Rips Jon Jones For Avoiding Tom Aspinall: ‘Just Like He Ducked Ngannou!’

    Colby Covington and Jon Jones have a long-standing feud that dates back to their days as wrestling teammates at Central Iowa Community College. Since then, the two have seized every opportunity to trash-talk one another.

    While Covington is focused on his upcoming UFC Tampa showdown against Joaquin Buckley this Saturday, he’s also keeping an eye on Jones, the UFC heavyweight champion, and his future plans.

    “Bones” recently revealed that he’s in discussions with the UFC about returning to action in 2025 following his dominant third-round victory over Stipe Miocic in the main event of UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden. The question now is who Jones will face in his potential comeback.

    Though he’s expressed interest in a fight with reigning light heavyweight kingpin Alex Pereira, UFC CEO Dana White has suggested that a title unification bout with Tom Aspinall is the more logical option.

    Like many who disagree with Jones’ stance on dodging Aspinall, Covington didn’t hold back his criticism of Jones at the UFC Tampa media day.

    “I think Jon needs to stop ducking Tom Aspinall just like he ducked [Francis] Ngannou,” Covington said. “He ducked Ngannou for years, now he’s ducking Aspinall. He doesn’t want to fight the guys he knows he’s going to get his ass beat against. So I don’t think anything special of Jon Jones.”

    Covington also dismissed Jones’ performance against Miocic, claiming the UFC legend deliberately chose an opponent past his prime.

    “Miocic is an older fighter who shouldn’t have been in the Octagon with Jones. He was just looking to get paid. So, I don’t think Jon’s performance was anything special,” Covington added.

    With Covington preparing for his own fight and Jones plotting a return, the verbal jabs between the two continue to fuel one of the UFC’s longest-running rivalries.

  • Alex Pereira Explains Major Edge Jon Jones Has Over Tom Aspinall

    Alex Pereira Explains Major Edge Jon Jones Has Over Tom Aspinall

    Alex Pereira has shared his thoughts on the ongoing situation involving UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones and his potential next opponent.

    Jones has expressed interest in fighting the UFC light heavyweight champ rather than interim heavyweight titleholder Tom Aspinall. While “Bones” sees this matchup as the most compelling, UFC CEO Dana White appears less enthusiastic, believing Jones would have a significant advantage over the smaller fighter.

    Some fight fans echo Jones’ preference, considering it the best fight to make. Pereira, meanwhile, has welcomed the idea of a showdown with Jones. But should Aspinall get the nod, “Poatan” recently acknowledged the challenges he would face due to Jones’ extensive experience.

    “I think Jon Jones has a lot of experience on his side,” Pereira told TNT Sports. “Some people say, ‘Aspinall this, Aspinall that,’ but it comes down to experience. Jon Jones is a seasoned guy. He’s been there, so I think he wins.”

    Pereira also spoke about his own desire to face Jones.

    “Everybody knows my interest in fighting him, and I was happy to see the initiative he had to speak that on the microphone, to express to everybody that he wants to fight me,” Pereira said. “We both want it, but it doesn’t come down to us. We have to see what plans the organization has for us.”

    https://youtu.be/WzA8Z6_WIPQ

    As the UFC deliberates on Jones’ next fight, the possibility of a clash between two champions continues to fuel speculation and fan debate.

  • Anik Says Jon Jones Has Surpassed Other Undefeated Greats: ‘With Respect To Calzaghe & Mayweather…’

    Anik Says Jon Jones Has Surpassed Other Undefeated Greats: ‘With Respect To Calzaghe & Mayweather…’

    UFC broadcaster Jon Anik has declared Jon Jones as not just the greatest fighter in MMA history but arguably in all combat sports.

    Jones boasts a 28-1 professional record, with his sole loss being a disqualification for an illegal 12-6 elbow against Matt Hamill. Interestingly, the 12-6 elbow is now legal under the new MMA Unified Rules adopted in New York. His résumé includes victories over some of the most elite fighters to ever step inside the Octagon, solidifying his status as a legend in the sport.

    “I think, with respect to Joe Calzaghe and Floyd Mayweather, that Jon Jones has already pushed himself beyond those guys,” Anik told MMA Junkie. “Even if people want to denigrate the Stipe win because it happened at 42 years of age, I don’t think there really is anything left for Jon Jones to accomplish. But there is financial gain to be had.”

    Though the reigning heavyweight champion has dismissed the idea of facing interim titleholder Tom Aspinall, Jones has expressed interest in a blockbuster matchup with current light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira.

    As speculation swirls, Jones is reportedly in discussions with the UFC for a potential return in 2025, keeping fans eager for what’s next in his legendary career.

  • Jon Jones’ Coach On Tom Aspinall: ‘It’s Not A Matchup That Scares Us At All’

    Jon Jones’ Coach On Tom Aspinall: ‘It’s Not A Matchup That Scares Us At All’

    UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones’ coach, Brandon Gibson, is confident in his fighter’s ability to dominate any opponent, including interim heavyweight titleholder Tom Aspinall.

    While many fans — and UFC CEO Dana White — view a title unification bout between Jones and Aspinall as the logical next step, “Bones” has expressed a preference for facing light heavyweight king Alex Pereira instead.

    This decision has sparked accusations that Jones is avoiding the tougher challenge in Aspinall. However, Gibson dismissed these claims, framing Jones’ strategy as a matter of timing and maximizing opportunities in his career.

    According to Gibson, Jones is in a commanding position and has the leverage to dictate his terms.

    “I think the fans want that from a lineal standpoint,” Gibson told SiriusXM Fight Nation. “You want to see the belt get passed, not just a belt get vacated. But I always tell Jon, ‘Dude, you don’t owe anybody anything.’ We owed Stipe Miocic and the UFC that night on Nov. 16. That’s what we owed. We’ll see if negotiations can get done right, but Jon’s not ducking anybody.”

    Gibson also dismissed concerns about a potential fight with Aspinall, noting that Jones thrives against elite competition, especially in long, grueling bouts.

    “I actually think Jon is a tough matchup for Tom Aspinall. Obviously, we haven’t seen Tom with an average fight time of two and a half minutes — we haven’t seen much out of Tom, but that’s also a positive on our part.

    “Jon is great at taking champion-level caliber fighters into deep waters. Jon is great in that fourth round and that fifth round. It’s not a matchup that scares us at all. It’s a matter of what’s best for Jon and his family.”

    With Jones holding all the cards, the decision about his next opponent remains uncertain.

    Whether it’s Aspinall for heavyweight unification or Pereira for a high-stakes superfight, Jones’ next move will undoubtedly shape the UFC landscape.

  • Tom Aspinall Reveals What Surprised Him Most About Watching Jon Jones Up Close

    Tom Aspinall Reveals What Surprised Him Most About Watching Jon Jones Up Close

    Tom Aspinall claims that it wasn’t his intention to make the UFC 309 fight week about him even if he was weighing in as the back-up fighter. The main event at Madison Square Garden featured two of the greatest champions in the history of the promotion colliding for the very first time and yet, a lot of the talk was about the Brit.

    From Jones walking out of interviews to Aspinall chants at the press conference, the presence of the interim champion was clearly felt in New York. After successfully weighing in as the back-up, once it was clear that he wouldn’t be needed, he changed his focus.

    His new goal was to enjoy the fights and watch the man that could be his next opponent if he gets the fight that he wants. Everyone who has been an MMA fan for some time will have seen Jones fight before because he’s been at the top for so long.

    However, Aspinall was able to leave the world’s most famous arena with some new observations after watching the GOAT live and in the flesh. In a recent episode of Tom Aspinall’s Fight Lab on TNT Sports, he broke down his main takeaways from the fight.

    The interim champ highlighted one aspect of the fight that he didn’t see coming, crediting Jones’ aura in the cage and Miocic’s age as the reason why “Bones” was able to dictate the action.

    “Something that surprised me sitting up close was the footwork. Maybe not the footwork as such but just the constant forward motion of Jon Jones and Stipe was just kind of left to go side-to-side with his feet constantly. He was never really on the front foot which is surprising because Stipe is a natural heavyweight, Jon Jones obviously coming up from light heavy. I wouldn’t think that Jon would have the prowess in the Octagon to push him back constantly which I was pretty surprised by.”   

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3gGqrhbfng

  • Ciryl Gane Addresses ‘Total Misunderstanding Of What Was Happening’ In Jon Jones Loss

    Ciryl Gane is just days away from stepping back into the Octagon, where he will face former Bellator heavyweight champion Alexander Volkov in a rematch at UFC 310 on Dec. 7. This bout was initially scheduled for October at UFC 308, but Volkov withdrew due to a knee injury.

    Ahead of his next outing, Gane continues to reflect on his devastating loss to UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones at UFC 285 in March 2023 — a defeat he describes as a pivotal learning experience.

    He rebounded impressively with a TKO victory over Serghei Spivac at a UFC Fight Night event in Paris six months later.

    Speaking during the UFC 310 Countdown episode, Gane opened up about his mindset during the Jones fight, admitting that he felt disconnected in the cage.

    “When I look back at it, it was obvious that I was not there. It represented exactly how I felt on the day of the fight. It was a total misunderstanding of what was happening,” Gane said. “I don’t recognize myself there. It’s something I’ve never done in my life. I’ve never fought that way before. My distance management, my movement, the alertness that I love to show — I had none of that.”

    Despite the setback, Gane views the experience as a turning point in his career.

    “Looking back, I think that this experience may have been beneficial,” Gane continued. “For me personally, it helped me to refocus on myself. It gave me a spirit of revenge, a competitive spirit.”

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBuiZj5Jzlc

    Now fully refocused and determined, Gane will look to capitalize on his growth as he prepares for a second meeting with Volkov, hoping to solidify his path back to the top of the heavyweight division.

  • PFL CEO Says ‘Saudi Partners’ Want Jon Jones vs. Francis Ngannou Superfight

    PFL CEO Says ‘Saudi Partners’ Want Jon Jones vs. Francis Ngannou Superfight

    According to the PFL, the only side stopping a heavyweight megafight between Francis Ngannou and Jon Jones is the UFC.

    Talk of Ngannou and Jones colliding has existed ever since the former rose to the mountaintop in the UFC with a knockout of Stipe Miocic. With “Bones” having expressed his intention to move up in pursuit of two-division glory, “The Predator” laid down the gauntlet.

    Jones, however, took a further two years to make the transition to heavyweight, and by the time he was ready to return, Ngannou had departed the organization following a lengthy contractual dispute.

    The former light heavyweight kingpin ultimately succeeded the Cameroonian on the throne, and that’s only increased debate over who would emerge victorious between the pair.

    Ngannou’s new employer, for one, appears keen to find out.

    Be it founder Donn Davis or CEO Peter Murray, the PFL higher-ups have repeatedly expressed a willingness to co-promote a superfight between Ngannou and Jones with the UFC.

    During an interview with Adam Catterall for talkSPORT MMA while in Riyadh for last week’s 2024 PFL World Championship, Murray reiterated that. He even suggested his promotion’s “partners” in Saudi Arabia are keen for the fight to come together.

    “Yeah, I mean, we’re supportive of it,” Murray said. “I mean, the fighters want the fight. Jon Jones wants the fight, Francis wants the fight, we want the fight, our partners here in Saudi want the fight. And so, you know, it comes down to, does the UFC want to step up to it or not? Period.”

    The PFL became the latest sporting entity to sign a deal with Saudi Arabia in 2023, selling a minority ownership stake to SRJ Sports Investments. The deal marked the first for the fund, which was launched by the PIF (Public Investment Fund). It was reported that the agreement was for investment in excess of $100 million into the PFL.

    This year, meanwhile, saw the UFC head to the Middle Eastern nation for the first time. In addition to touching down in Saudi Arabia, Riyadh Season also became the first title partner of a UFC event when it sponsored the Sphere show this past September.

    With that connection in mind, perhaps a co-promoted clash between Ngannou and Jones isn’t quite as impossible as it seemed 12 months ago.

  • Dan Hardy: Jon Jones ‘Certainly Not’ World’s Best Heavyweight

    Dan Hardy: Jon Jones ‘Certainly Not’ World’s Best Heavyweight

    Jon Jones isn’t just the reigning UFC heavyweight champion, he’s largely considered to be the greatest of all time. However, as Dan Hardy spoke about in a recent interview with MMA Fighting, that doesn’t necessarily mean that he’s the best in his weight class right now.

    Many believe that with the sheer amount of heavyweights he has beaten compared to Jones, interim champion Tom Aspinall might be the best in the weight class even if he doesn’t have the longevity of somebody like “Bones” just yet. Francis Ngannou left the UFC without ever losing his heavyweight title and in his PFL debut against Renan Ferreira, he showed that he also has to be in the conversation.

    Hardy believes that if there was a fight to decide the best heavyweight on the planet, Jones wouldn’t even factor into the equation.

    “I think Jon Jones is the pound-for-pound best. I think he’s the best representation of mixed martial arts generally that we’ve ever seen. I think he’s still evolving, which is terrifying. But is he the best current heavyweight on the planet? I don’t think so.

    “I think the winner of Aspinall versus Ngannou would be the answer … no disrespect in any way to Jon. Current heavyweight champion but not the current best heavyweight on the planet. Certainly not.”

    Hardy went on to describe Jones as “bottom of the rung” in regards to the incredible physicality that Aspinall and Ngannou bring to the table as legitimate heavyweight-sized competitors though he would hold advantages in other areas.

    “The creativity of Jon Jones and the wisdom, the fight IQ, that reigns supreme. I just wonder if he’s got that ability in the heavyweight division with someone as fast as Tom Aspinall and someone as powerful as Francis Ngannou. There were times when Stipe [Miocic] landed [on Jones at UFC 309] and I think if Ngannou lands those shots, Jon Jones doesn’t get back up.

    “I also think the speed of Tom Aspinall would allow him to land punches against Jon Jones and Ngannou that both of those guys wouldn’t see coming and wouldn’t be able to stop. The question is would he be able to do that kind of damage to knock them out. I don’t know. I’ve seen Francis take some big shots. I know obviously he got knocked out by Anthony Joshua but at the same time, you’re talking of an elite level boxer who’s an incredible athlete at the same time. I mean, it’s just so difficult to pick one.”

  • Olympic Champion Gable Steveson Eyes MMA Career After Training With Jon Jones

    Olympic Champion Gable Steveson Eyes MMA Career After Training With Jon Jones

    Jon Jones has had such a profound influence on Gable Steveson that it’s motivated him to pursue a career in MMA.

    The Olympic gold medalist wrestler played a pivotal role as a training partner, helping “Bones” prepare for his third-round TKO victory over former champion Stipe Miocic at UFC 309, where he successfully defended his heavyweight title.

    After witnessing firsthand the craft of one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time, Steveson has become more determined than ever to embrace the art of blending disciplines as he looks ahead to his future in combat sports.

    During an interview with MMA Fighting, the 24-year-old Indiana native shared that his time training alongside Jones gave him the confidence to envision himself thriving in the world of MMA.

    “As I put the gloves on, I really like the feeling of going out there and mixing everything together from wrestling to boxing to kickboxing to jiu-jitsu and putting all the pieces together in one,” Steveson said. “That definitely put a huge spark in me to do MMA, too. Wherever the path leads me after this wrestling season is going to be great regardless, but the MMA thing, when I tell you it, definitely lit a fire under me. Being in that camp definitely put a big, big gas light and lit it really hard and burned the fumes in me.”

    Steveson captured the Olympic gold medal in freestyle wrestling at the 2020 Tokyo Games, besting Georgia’s Geno Petriashvili in the final.

    Not long after, he was offered a WWE contract and made his professional wrestling debut at SummerSlam 2021. However, his time with the promotion was short-lived, as he was reportedly released due to insufficient progress at the WWE’s Performance Center.

    Stepping into new territory, Steveson also dabbled in American football, joining the Buffalo Bills for the NFL pre-season. Unfortunately, his football venture didn’t pan out, leading to his release this past August.

  • Jamahal Hill Responds To Fans Being ‘Weird’ About Jon Jones Calling Him Out

    Jamahal Hill Responds To Fans Being ‘Weird’ About Jon Jones Calling Him Out

    The former UFC light heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill had his name brought up in an unexpected conversation during UFC 309 fight week. A huge talking point surrounding the event was Jon Jones’ future after many expected that the consensus greatest of all time would retire after headlining Madison Square Garden.

    Amongst the debate of him fighting Tom Aspinall or Alex Pereira next, Jones suggested a few other options that caught a lot of fight fans by surprise. “Bones” claimed that he only wanted to compete in fights against guy that are similar to him and in fights that the fans wanted to see.

    He proceeded to name Derrick Lewis and Hill as two of those match-ups, much to the surprise of everyone else. “Sweet Dreams” hasn’t been a name that has been heavily linked to Jones, especially after he lost the 205-pound title at UFC 300 earlier this year.

    In a recent interview with Inside Fighting, he gave his reaction to hearing Jones mention his name and the reaction that it brought from the fans.

    “Yeah 100% it did. However, people getting weird about it, it’s like, he called me out?! You know what I mean. Which, that’s a fight that I’ve wanted since I got here. That was the first name that came out of my mouth whenever they put a UFC camera in front of me so for him to say that now to me, lets me know that I’ve been doing the right things.”

    Hil’s attention is currently focused on Jiří Procházka who he will face at UFC 311 in January though he did say that with a potential fight against Jones likely taking place at heavyweight, moving up a weight class is something that is in his future.

    “Yeah, that’s my plan eventually. I got a couple challenges here that I want to have, questions that I want to answer at this weight but then yeah, eventually I do want to move up.”

  • ‘Rampage’ Jackson Thought Miocic Would Be A Tougher Challenge For Jon Jones Than Aspinall

    ‘Rampage’ Jackson Thought Miocic Would Be A Tougher Challenge For Jon Jones Than Aspinall

    Quinton “Rampage” Jackson joined the MMA community in reflecting on the clash between Stipe Miocic and UFC heavyweight king Jon Jones.

    The UFC 309 headliner saw the Rochester native claim victory in spectacular fashion, finishing the former two-time champion with ease. This dominant performance fueled discussions among fight fans about Jones’ status as the greatest of all time in MMA given his impressive résumé, which includes titles in two weight classes.

    Jackson, who suffered a loss to “Bones” over a decade ago, initially believed Miocic would pose a significant threat to the reigning champ. However, in light of the fight’s outcome, “Rampage” revised his perspective, especially regarding a potential matchup between Jones and interim heavyweight titleholder Tom Aspinall.

    “I feel like Jon Jones’ last performance, I don’t even think any heavyweight could beat (him),” Jackson said on Uncrowned’s The Ariel Helwani Show. “I think he solidified himself as one of the greatest fighters on the planet. No disrespect to Aspinall — I think he’s a great fighter, and I’m a fan of his — but I thought Stipe would be a tougher challenge on paper. I think Jon Jones is the Neo of MMA. He’s Neo.”

    The heavyweight kingpin has hinted at discussions with the UFC about a potential 2025 return, targeting a bout with current light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira.

  • UFC Commentator: Jon Jones Losing To Tom Aspinall Isn’t ‘Legacy Diminishing,’ But He Must Get Big Money For The Fight

    UFC Commentator: Jon Jones Losing To Tom Aspinall Isn’t ‘Legacy Diminishing,’ But He Must Get Big Money For The Fight

    UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones made it perfectly clear in the aftermath of his UFC 309 main event win that if the promotion wants him back inside the Octagon for a huge fight, they’ll have to get the chequebook out. “Bones” has already mentioned getting “F*** you” money for a return and that is likely to be even more so the case if he’s going to be tempted into fighting Tom Aspinall.

    Even with a fight as big as Jones vs the light heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira, being one of two options, most fight fans are leaning towards the other. The only issue being that the heavyweight unification fight is something that the consensus greatest of all time doesn’t seem overly interested in.

    Though he’s said that he doesn’t think a fight with Aspinall adds to his legacy, many have criticized Jones for avoiding the fight because it’s the biggest threat to his stellar record. UFC commentator Jon Anik believes that even if he was to lose to the interim champion, it wouldn’t tarnish all of the incredible performances he has put on inside the Octagon.

    However, with the threat that Aspinall brings to the table, Anik agrees with Jones that he would deserve a career-high payday for this fight not just because of how big it is but because of the risk in taking it. He told MMA Junkie that the assurance of receiving a huge purse to end his career on could be the turning point that makes this fight happen.

    “I think what he wants is like that $30, $40, $50 million payday which he so deserves at this point in time because in heavyweight MMA, anything can happen and certainly in light heavyweight, anything can happen but the consequences are so great when it comes to four ounce gloves with these guys chucking that I mean yeah, Tom Aspinall could knock Jon Jones out in a minute and I don’t think it’s legacy diminishing whatsoever but you better make $30 million because then at that point in time, maybe Jon Jones doesn’t want to have another training camp and rematch Tom Aspinall or have two or three more fights.”

  • Jon Anik Predicts When Jon Jones Will Fight Tom Aspinall

    Jon Anik Predicts When Jon Jones Will Fight Tom Aspinall

    UFC broadcaster Jon Anik believes Jon Jones’ next fight should keep him in the heavyweight division, fueling ongoing debate among fans.

    While the heavyweight champion has dismissed a potential clash with his interim counterpart in the division, Tom Aspinall, he has expressed interest in a showdown with reigning light heavyweight titleholder Alex Pereira.

    Regardless of the opponent, Jones is reportedly in talks with the UFC for a return in 2025. Anik speculates that the ideal matchup would see Jones face Aspinall in a unification bout.

    “I have no inside information. I truly don’t. You can call it informed speculation,” Anik shared in an interview with MMA Junkie Radio. “But I do believe that fight is going to happen, and I think what was most telling was the way Jon Jones handled his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan. I also spoke to him backstage for ESPN, and he sounded far from retirement. That’s very encouraging.”

    And Anik envisions International Fight Week in July 2025, traditionally held in Las Vegas, as the perfect stage for such a high-stakes fight.

    “It just comes down to what Jon Jones’ number is,” Anik explained. “What is Jon Jones’ net worth? What number is he looking for? Is it $25 million to show? What is Michael Jordan worth? What is the greatest of all time worth? I feel like the company is in a great position to make this fight happen. And I think you’ve got to do Las Vegas, you’ve got to do International Fight Week 2025.”

  • Jon Jones’ Coach Says Alex Pereira Makes Him Excited To Try & End His Current Streak

    Jon Jones’ Coach Says Alex Pereira Makes Him Excited To Try & End His Current Streak

    A potential fight between the UFC’s heavyweight and light heavyweight champions is a divisive talking point right now. Despite that, it can’t be forgotten how big a clash between Jon Jones and Alex Pereira would be even if Dana White doesn’t seem sold on the idea.

    There are reasons why this fight shouldn’t be next for both men even if “Poatan” comes through his likely next challenger in Magomed Ankalaev. Not only does interim champion Tom Aspinall make the most sense to face Jones next time out, there’s an argument that putting Pereira in there with a heavyweight who is a dominant grappler could tarnish his star potential.

    However, from the perspective of Jones’ team and the heavyweight champ himself, it’s easy to see why this match-up would be appealing. Jones has some clear advantages in this fight but the striking of Pereira is going to make any potential contest more exciting.

    That’s exactly the point made by Brandon Gibson during a recent interview with Inside Fighting after Jones’ team were left incredibly satisfied by the performance that “Bones” put on against Stipe Miocic at UFC 309. Gibson believes that though there are some unknowns surrounding Aspinall, we’ve seen Pereira go into deep waters and come out on top in huge, high-profile fights time and time again and that makes him an interesting puzzle to try and solve.

    “I think that’s a great stylistic match-up. Pereira has such dynamite in his hands and with his kicks. Incredible pressure, championship mentality and to see what he’s accomplished and the streak he’s been on is something that has us exciting to go and try to figure out and solve that puzzle but Jon brings so many tools to the table, I think it’s more challenging for another team and set of coaches to try to solve the riddle, the problem that is Jon Jones.”

  • Jon Jones’ Coach Says They’ve Solved More Complex Problems Than Tom Aspinall Before

    Jon Jones’ Coach Says They’ve Solved More Complex Problems Than Tom Aspinall Before

    With Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall both recently claiming that they’ve been speaking to the UFC about what’s next, the conversation regarding the promotion’s two heavyweight champions isn’t going anywhere just yet. The debate as to whether Jones is avoiding a title unification with the interim champion dominated the talking points both before and after UFC 309.

    For many fans, the key reason that they want to see this fight instead of Jones against Alex Pereira, which is certainly the direction that “Bones” has been leaning, is because of the match-up itself. Whilst the heavyweight champion taking on the light heavyweight champion would be a huge fight, Aspinall presents different problems.

    Pereira is an incredibly dangerous striker but as Dana White said himself, going up to heavyweight to face an elite grappler like Jones is a huge ask even for “Poatan” who has defied expectations throughout his entire run in the UFC. In a recent interview with Inside Fighting, Jones’s coach Brandon Gibson spoke about the match-up with Aspinall.

    He believes that Aspinall’s greatest strength, his ability to finish fights so quickly, also creates question marks which may not have existed with previous opponents that they have beaten in the past. Those same unanswered questions aren’t there with Pereira, even if a fight between him and Jones would create other problems instead.

    “He’s had a great heavyweight career so far. I think there’s still a lot of unknowns which could be a benefit to Tom but also a lot of those unknowns could be a big benefit to us like how is he going to do in deep water? How is he going to do in later rounds? There’ll probably be a lot of pressure on him to try to start fast so with all that said, Tom’s not a match-up, like we have respect for all of these great opponents and champions but I think Jon has solved a lot more complex problems.” 

  • Jon Jones ‘In Negotiations’ With UFC Over Return: ‘I Will Be Competing In 2025’

    Jon Jones ‘In Negotiations’ With UFC Over Return: ‘I Will Be Competing In 2025’

    It would seem that fans haven’t seen the last of the man widely considered the greatest of all time inside the Octagon, judging by UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones’ latest remarks.

    Jones returned to action earlier this month 20 months on from becoming a two-division kingpin. After quickly getting the better of Ciryl Gane in his heavyweight debut last year, “Bones” added a successful defense to his reign by sending Stipe Miocic into retirement.

    The pair headlined the promotion’s annual November visit to Madison Square Garden in New York City, where the champ closed the show with a brutal spinning back kick to the body in round three.

    Much of the lead-up surrounded Jones’ continued avoidance of his interim counterpart, Tom Aspinall. In addition to teasing a possible retirement, the Rochester native pointed to Alex Pereira as the one opponent he’d remain active for in 2025.

    Dana White, however, has been vocal in dismissing a clash between “Bones” and “Poatan.” Despite that, it appears negotiations have begun regarding another outing for the former multi-time light heavyweight king.

    During a recent interview with The Schmo, Jones provided an update on his status post-UFC 309, revealing that talks are underway with the promotion.

    “So right now, the UFC and I, we’re in negotiations, we’re in talks to see what happens next,” Jones said. “I’m back in the gym. I’m training. I feel really great. The team’s support, they’re right behind me, and we’ll just be ready for whatever opportunity comes out way.

    “There is (a figure in mind), but I’m not going to discuss that publicly,” Jones continued. “I will be competing in 2025, more than likely.”

    While Jones has stayed steadfast in rejecting the possibility of unifying the heavyweight titles versus Aspinall next, that would appear to still be the most desired matchup among the MMA masses for the 37-year-old.

    Whether or not the UFC can do what is needed to convince Jones, who has previously sat on the sidelines while criticizing the promotion’s failure to meet his financial demands, remains to be seen.

    In the meantime, fans can likely expect Jones to continue his habit of embracing the ‘ducking’ allegations on social media.

  • Bisping Compares Jon Jones Dismissing Tom Aspinall To Jake Paul’s Boxing Approach

    Bisping Compares Jon Jones Dismissing Tom Aspinall To Jake Paul’s Boxing Approach

    After his latest victory, UFC heavyweight kingpin Jon Jones has once again been dismissing a clash with interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall, instead targeting a showdown with reigning light heavyweight titleholder Alex Pereira.

    However, UFC CEO Dana White isn’t sold on that matchup, believing Jones has a clear advantage over Pereira. On the other hand, “Bones” has stated that a fight against Aspinall would require a significant financial incentive to entice him.

    Former UFC fighter and analyst Michael Bisping weighed in on the situation during his Believe You Me podcast, voicing concern over Jones potentially bypassing tougher challenges like Aspinall in favor of perceived easier fights.

    “My only issue is, as a man and as a fighter, him saying he doesn’t have this obligation to fight these young, up-and-coming, hungry, dangerous guys that have an ability to beat him,” Bisping said. “I don’t get that. That’s what my problem is with Jake Paul.”

    Bisping elaborated on why a Jones vs. Pereira fight might not excite fans the same way a heavyweight clash with Aspinall would.

    “Fighting guys that [Jones] knows he can beat – Alex Pereira, he has a very blatantly obvious path to victory. He just took down Stipe. He took down Ciryl Gane. He will take down Alex Pereira. Would he be able to take down Tom? That’s the question. That’s the fight. That’s what we want to see.”

    With both potential matchups offering unique narratives, the decision now lies in the hands of Jones, the UFC, and the negotiating table.

  • UFC Veteran: Stipe Miocic ‘Didn’t Really Want To Be There’ Against Jon Jones

    UFC Veteran: Stipe Miocic ‘Didn’t Really Want To Be There’ Against Jon Jones

    Matt Brown believes Stipe Miocic seemed devoid of drive during his clash with Jon Jones.

    Miocic challenged reigning heavyweight champion Jones in the main event of UFC 309 last Saturday at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The former longtime titleholder endured a dominant opening round, finding himself on his back as “Bones” rained down heavy shots from the top position.

    Unfortunately for Miocic, the subsequent rounds provided no relief. He failed to mount any offense and ultimately fell victim to a devastating spinning back kick to the body in the third frame, marking the fight’s decisive conclusion.

    Miocic appeared to grapple with significant Octagon rust, returning to competition after a prolonged hiatus following his knockout loss to Francis Ngannou at UFC 260 in March 2021. At 42 years old, the Ohio native’s age also seemed to play a role, with his movements noticeably lacking the sharpness and agility he once showcased.

    During a recent episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer on MMA Fighting, “The Immortal” weighed in on Miocic’s performance against Jones, remarking that the former champion appeared far beyond his years and looked athletically diminished at UFC 309.

    “As bad as he looked athletically — he looked his age, also — I say he looked past his age, to be honest,” Brown said. “Straight legs, no hate on Stipe. It just looked like he didn’t have it at this point, and why should he? He came to challenge himself at the highest level with the greatest ever and didn’t pass the challenge.”

    Brown further expressed that Miocic, in his eyes, seemed visibly disinterested and was lacking urgency.

    “Stipe, to me, looked like he didn’t really want to be there. He’s there for the challenge and maybe the money. I don’t know what his motivations were exactly. But it didn’t look to me like he really wanted to be there.”

    After his defeat, Miocic officially announced his retirement from active competition, bringing an end to a storied career. He concluded his tenure in the cage with a 20-5 record, with 14 of those victories coming by way of knockout.

  • Gordon Ryan Describes ‘Inspiring’ Experience In Jon Jones’ UFC 309 Camp & Corner

    Gordon Ryan Describes ‘Inspiring’ Experience In Jon Jones’ UFC 309 Camp & Corner

    Alongside the former Olympic gold medallist wrestler Gable Steveson, another elite grappler joined Jon Jones’ team for his return to the Octagon at UFC 309. When it comes to heavyweight MMA, there is still some debate over who the very best is even after Jones defended the title in dominant fashion this past weekend.

    The same cannot be said in no-gi grappling where Gordon Ryan is considered by many to be the greatest of all time, like Jones is in mixed martial arts. “The King” will have been an invaluable training partner for the heavyweight champion and the short footage of them training together during the UFC’s Countdown episode for the card was interesting enough let alone getting to watch full sessions.

    After Jones retained the gold at Madison Square Garden, Ryan posted on his Instagram to reflect on the time that he was able to spend alongside Jones and his closely knit team.

    “It is very inspiring to be around greatness. As a fan, I want to see him continue because he’s as exciting as they come and never loses. As a coach, I want to see him continue because despite being better than everyone else, there is so much more for him to learn. As a friend, I want to see him to whatever his heart desires. I want him to press forward if he wants or to leave the sport on top after being on top since the very beginning. I want to see him happy regardless of what he decides to do next.

    “I can’t take credit for any part of Jon’s career, but I am very thankful to be a small part of such an amazing legacy. Thank you for choosing me to help you, and thank you for your friendship. Enjoy this time off that you deserve, and don’t let anyone tell you what to do. Not the fans, not the fighters, only you. You’re the one and only.”

    Last but not least, Ryan gave thanks to several other parties that played a role in this invaluable experience for him including the UFC staff, the rest of Jones’ team and the man that “Bones” stood across from in the Octagon, the great Stipe Miocic who retired after the fight.

    “Also, big thanks to the @ufc for making my experience at the event smooth as ever, as always. Thank you to the rest of the coaches in the camp, all the drilling partners, and all of the pieces that completed the puzzle that is Jon Jones. Being a legend and first responder, I think we were all a little sad to see @stipemiocic lose and retire, but that’s the game. Thank you, legend, for an amazing career. I’ve always been a fan, and I can’t wait to see you at your HOF induction.”

  • Tom Aspinall Explains Why Jon Jones’ Usual Advantage Over Opponents Won’t Work With Him

    Tom Aspinall Explains Why Jon Jones’ Usual Advantage Over Opponents Won’t Work With Him

    Interim UFC Heavyweight Champion Tom Aspinall remains high on self-belief when it comes to his chances in a fight against the great Jon Jones.

    Jones maintained his place on the heavyweight throne at this past weekend’s UFC 309 pay-per-view, which he headlined inside Madison Square Garden opposite returning former champ Stipe Miocic.

    “Bones,” who achieved two-division glory 20 months prior by submitting Ciryl Gane in one round, threatened another quick finish when he slammed Miocic down and employed some vicious ground-and-pound.

    But the Rochester native ultimately had to wait until the third frame to put Miocic away for good, doing so with a brutal spinning back kick to the body. And with that, Jones has now added a successful defense to his already illustrious résumé.

    Jones’ status as heavyweight king, however, is far from undisputed.

    During Monday’s episode of The Ariel Helwani Show on Uncrowned, Aspinall explained why he would expect an edge over Jones.

    While “Bones” would boast a significant lead in Octagon experience, the interim titleholder believes his short fight time would actually play in his favor against the GOAT contender.

    “One of Jon Jones’ biggest advantages that he has over everybody is that he’s a tape studier, as am I,” Aspinall said. “I’m a massive tape studier. I watch my opponents, my coaches watch my opponents, pick up on the tendencies, pick up on what they like, what they don’t like, what they’re good at, when they’re tired, what tires them out, how they’re getting up off the bottom, how’s their defense when you throw this shot, etc.

    “He loves to study opponents like this. He has no chance of doing that with me because my average fight time is the shortest in UFC history at two minutes and two seconds over 10 fights. That’s something that keeps him up at night, that will keep him up at night, for sure. I am a massive, massive question mark for him. I know a lot of his game. He’s got a lot of Octagon time over a lot of years. I’ve got next to nothing. There’s next to no footage of me out there besides me doing anything apart from bouncing peoples’ heads off the canvas, and he has no idea what to prepare for, and that is fantastic for me.”

    It remains to be seen whether or not Aspinall will have the chance to prove as much.

    While Jones appeared to finally entertain the prospect of facing Aspinall during his Octagon interview, he quickly reverted to his stance of avoiding the Brit when backstage at MSG, reiterating his desire to fight Alex Pereira instead.

    The MMA masses continue to push back on that, however, and even the UFC’s official Europe handle on X has seemingly had enough of the apparent ‘ducking’…

  • Chael Sonnen Has Firm Stance On Jones vs. Ngannou Prediction After UFC 309: ‘In Hindsight…’

    Chael Sonnen Has Firm Stance On Jones vs. Ngannou Prediction After UFC 309: ‘In Hindsight…’

    A former opponent of UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones’ has a strong opinion on how a clash with Francis Ngannou would have played out inside the Octagon following this past weekend’s event.

    Jones returned to action in defense of his title at Saturday’s UFC 309 pay-per-view. The Rochester native was putting the heavyweight gold on the line for the first time at Madison Square Garden, having had injury derail his plans to do so in late 2023.

    As was scheduled to be the case last year, “Bones” shared the cage with returning former champ Stipe Miocic, despite the presence of an interim titleholder in Tom Aspinall. And as many had predicted given Miocic’s age and lengthy layoff, Jones tore through the veteran en route to a brutal body-kick TKO stoppage in round three.

    But the result did little to affect the bid of Jones’ doubters to dismiss claims he sits as the world’s best heavyweight, with Aspinall front and center in that debate following his recent results.

    Also in the conversation is Ngannou, who departed the UFC as lineal heavyweight kingpin at the start of 2023 and recently made a successful debut under the PFL banner.

    But when it comes to “The Predator,” one man with experience facing Jones has little doubt how that bout would have gone had he stayed in the UFC…

    During a recent episode of his Good Guy/Bad Guy show alongside Daniel Cormier on ESPN MMA’s YouTube channel, Chael Sonnen spoke on Jones’ recent triumph in New York City.

    “The American Gangster” was impressed, so much so that he now firmly believes the heavyweight iteration of Jones would have had little trouble dispatching Ngannou inside the cage.

    “Do you know what Jon would have done to Francis Ngannou in hindsight?” Sonnen said. “Now that we look back, Jon would have picked that big man a part. I mean, I’m just sharing with you, like, that’s a big man’s nightmare. Jon’s not a heavyweight; Jon is fighting at heavyweight. There’s a massive difference.”

    A clash between Jones and Ngannou remains the stuff of fantasy, in spite of both the latter and his organization’s higher-ups calling for a cross-promotional showdown between the two behemoths.

  • Stephen A. Smith’s Take On Jones vs. Aspinall Infuriates Former UFC Fighter: ‘Ban This Man From Speaking’ 

    Stephen A. Smith’s Take On Jones vs. Aspinall Infuriates Former UFC Fighter: ‘Ban This Man From Speaking’ 

    Sports television personality Stephen A. Smith sees UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones as the “best on the planet” and can’t picture anybody getting the better of him, Tom Aspinall included.

    Smith provided his reaction to Jones’ latest performance — a TKO victory over Stipe Miocic in the main event of UFC 309 — on a recent episode of First Take alongside Shannon Sharpe on ESPN.

    The former light heavyweight kingpin added a first successful heavyweight defense to his record at Madison Square Garden, stopping the returning Miocic with a brutal spinning side kick to the body in round three.

    No sooner had Jones had his hand raised in “The Big Apple,” talk turned to a much-awaited title unification fight with interim champ Aspinall, who was cageside at MSG after weighing in as backup for the main event last Friday.

    But while Jones’ repeated dismissal of the Brit has led some to suggest he fears defeat, Smith isn’t entertaining that as a possibility.

    “I think he’s the best on the planet. He’s the greatest in MMA that I’ve ever seen,” Smith said. “I’ve always said to everybody, you’ve got to show me to make me believe that somebody’s going to beat Jon ‘Bones’ Jones, ’cause I just don’t see it happening. He’s just too elite.”

    When a clip of his remarks was posted on X, Aspinall’s fellow countryman, ex-UFC title challenger Darren Till, made his thoughts on Smith clear…

    “Stephen A Smith has the IQ of a mole,” Till wrote. “Please ban this man from ever speaking about anything ever again.”

    Smith has previously caught the ire of the MMA community, most notably when he suggested Donald Cerrone “didn’t want to be there” when he was blitzed by Conor McGregor in 40 seconds at UFC 246.

  • ‘Based UFC Europe’ Account Plays Matchmaker For Jon Jones — Aspinall, Aspinall, Or Aspinall

    ‘Based UFC Europe’ Account Plays Matchmaker For Jon Jones — Aspinall, Aspinall, Or Aspinall

    The conversation surrounding Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall hasn’t disappeared in the aftermath of UFC 309 this past weekend. A lot of fans, media and fellow fighters were very vocal in the lead up to the event about the potential of seeing the heavyweight title unification fight.

    Whether it was people talking about Jones’ comments regarding not wanting to fight the interim heavyweight champion or fans arguing that it should have been Aspinall in the main event instead of a returning Stipe Miocic, the controversy regarding this huge match-up has dominated discussions both before and after the UFC’s return to Madison Square Garden.

    In his post-fight interview after stopping Miocic in the third round in what was a one-sided heavyweight title fight, Jones suggested that he will stick around for one more fight if he can come to terms with the UFC. Despite saying “maybe we’ll give you guys what you want to see”, “Bones” stated in his press conference that he isn’t interested in fighting Aspinall and only has eyes for the light heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira.

    The UFC Europe account on social media weighed in on the topic via a fairly standard post that offered three options for a champion’s next challenge. However, columns A, B and C all featured one name and one name only.

    Like-minded fight fans gave their reactions to the post from the official account on X.

    “What the UFC Europe social media guy remembered before posting this”

    “Based UFC Europe”

    “UFC Europe banger”

    “I’m all for any of the three options. They all seem like perfect fights to make next for Jon Jones”