Aspinall Says Jones Is Using Alex Pereira To Duck Him – ‘Playing Games To Convince The Public’

Tom Aspinall, the UFC Interim Heavyweight Champion, says Jon Jones is doing everything to duck him. 

Jones, the current UFC Heavyweight Champion, has not fought since beating Ciryl Gane last year at UFC 285 to win the vacant title. He injured his pectoral muscle in sparring, meaning he withdrew from UFC 295, where he was set to defend his belt against Stipe Miocic. Jones had surgery, as Aspinall wanted him stripped.

The Brit felt Jones was holding up the division, so he wanted to fight Miocic for the belt. This was with the view of the winner then fighting Jones. Dana White said that would not happen, leaving Aspinall frustrated. There are suggestions that the winner of Jones-Miocic will retire from the sport. Aspinall’s return has been confirmed for UFC 304 in a PPV in Manchester, England. No opponent has been announced. However, it could be Curtis Blaydes, the only man to have beaten Aspinall. The Brit suffered a first-round loss in 2022 after injuring his knee. 

Jones has also teased the idea that facing Alex Pereira at heavyweight, saying it is a much bigger fight. The Brazilian is a two-weight world champion, having won belts at middleweight and light heavyweight. He is coming off an impressive first-round KO win over Jamahal Hill at UFC 300 to retain his light heavyweight title. Jones felt Alex was a bigger name globally, suggesting he would like to fight him over Aspinall. 

Jones On Pereira

“There’s absolutely no fight that generates a payday like that. Marketing would be insane. Tom only matters in the U.K., newsflash. Pereira is one of the most polarizing figures this sport has seen. Tom’s a contender who won a belt against another contender. We had to save Madison Square Garden’s main event. I’m thinking dollar signs, legacy, big picture here. Not what U.K. fans are dying to see,” Jones stated

Pereira is open to the fight. He revealed that he wanted to move up to heavyweight before his last fight. He changed his focus since he did not hear back from the UFC. However, his walking around weight is 238 pounds, which shows the Brazilian can make the weight. Pereira also stated that the longer it takes him to become a heavyweight, the better it is for him. That leaves Jones with an incentive to fight him as soon as possible. 

“There was this message from Jon Jones last night, so I don’t know if this might change [plans moving forward]. Becoming a three-division champion is very hard and not many people try it, but if I have that opportunity, I just want to bring joy to everyone and a better life for my family,” Pereira revealed 

Aspinall Responds

And yet, Aspinall was clear this was another attempt to avoid him.