Jon Jones has ruled out fighting Tom Aspinall due to personal reasons, criticizing Aspinall’s attitude and behavior, and instead expressed interest in a potential matchup with Alex Pereira, whom he respects and sees as a more valuable opponent for his career.
Jon Jones has firmly shut down any possibility of fighting Tom Aspinall. It turns out his reasons are more personal than initially stated.
While gearing up for his bout against Stipe Miocic at UFC 309, Jones repeatedly dismissed the idea of facing Aspinall. He claimed it didn’t add much to his career or legacy.
On Tuesday, Jones reiterated his disinterest in Aspinall as an opponent. Then, he took a swing at the British heavyweight’s attitude and attempts to make the fight happen.
“Honestly, Tom’s been such an assh*le that I don’t want to do business with him,” Jones said during UFC 309 media day. “His fans are annoying, and while I usually ignore that, he’s just an assh*le.”
Jones added, “He’s from this influencer generation—t-shirt sales and all that. I’m past that stuff. If he had more respect, maybe something could’ve happened.”
Aspinall hasn’t held back either, criticizing Jones for choosing to fight Miocic instead of him. On his YouTube channel, Aspinall called them “two old farts” fighting for a “disputed title.”
What started as a debate over competition has devolved into name-calling and trash talk. Jones wants no part of it.
In contrast, Jones sees a potential matchup with UFC light heavyweight champ Alex Pereira as appealing. Pereira ticks all the boxes for a worthy opponent post-Miocic.
Pereira’s accolades speak volumes: titles in two UFC divisions and a former GLORY kickboxing champion. Plus, he’s respectful—something Jones values highly right now.
“Pereira is respectful and cool,” Jones noted. “I’d risk it all with someone like him. He’s got the accolades to back up his words.”
Jones continued, “There have been many who were hot today but gone tomorrow. Sergei Pavlovich was in that spot not long ago but is already fading.”
Despite disliking Aspinall personally, Jones acknowledges the narrative framing him as a threat to his almost flawless record.
Maybe there’s truth in that, but Jones knows he’s faced similar challenges before.
“Tom’s exciting,” Jones admitted. “Finally, after 16 years, someone younger and bigger than me poses a challenge everyone wants to see.”
But he questions what’s in it for him: “Beating Tom is like beating Ciryl Gane. What changes for me? Nothing.”
Jones can’t predict post-UFC 309 outcomes but suggests he’s given the organization a compelling fight to keep him engaged longer.
If the UFC insists on an Aspinall fight, Jones is ready to call it quits and ride off into the sunset.
“The main goal is to get past Stipe,” said Jones. “If I do it dominantly, my heart desires Alex Pereira next.”
Jones concluded, “Would you rather lose me or get one more super fight? The only one that makes sense to me is Alex Pereira.”