Interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall officially weighed in as the backup fighter for the UFC 309 main event between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic in case he had to step in on last-minute notice. He attended the event at Madison Square Garden in New York City witnessing Jones’ dominant performance against the former two-time titleholder.
UFC CEO Dana White has made it clear in several interviews and at the UFC 309 Post-fight Press Conference that he wants Jones to face Aspinall next. Jones, on the other hand, has different ideas.
Jones would like to take on light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira in a super fight perhaps with the BMF title on the line. Jones indicated that he’s willing to relinquish the heavyweight championship and pursue legacy fights instead of title bouts. Following his UFC 309 TKO win over Miocic, Jones did leave the door open for potentially facing Aspinall next.
“As far as my future in the octagon, I decided that maybe I will not retire and I have some conversations to have with Dana and Hunter [Campbell]. We have some negotiating to do, and if everything goes right maybe we’ll give you guys what you want to see,” Jones said in his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan.
Following the event, Aspinall met with White and other UFC executives. According to Aspinall, the meeting when well.
“Just had a meeting with Dana, the other UFC brass, Hunter, and all success,” Aspinall said walking out of Madison Square Garden. “We’ll see you next time. Big news coming! Big news coming.”
