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As the highly anticipated UFC 309 main event between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic draws near, the MMA world is buzzing about what comes next for the heavyweight division. According to UFC President Dana White, the winner will go on to face interim champion Tom Aspinall, but Jon Jones himself has suggested a different plan, hinting he may not take that fight, casting doubt on White’s vision.
Dana White's Vision: Aspinall as the Next Opponent
Dana White has been vocal about his belief that the winner of Jones vs. Miocic should unify the title by facing Tom Aspinall. Speaking to TNT Sports, White expressed confidence that neither Jones nor Miocic would walk away without giving Aspinall his shot.
“I truly believe that whoever wins this fight… they’re not going to just ride off into the sunset without settling the dispute with Tom Aspinall,” White said. He believes both Jones and Miocic respect the sport enough to compete with Aspinall, despite potential retirement talks circulating around both fighters.
White’s faith in this matchup might be partially strategic, as a fight between Aspinall and either Jones or Miocic would generate massive excitement and likely huge revenue for the UFC. "People will lose their f*cking minds if either one of those fights happens," White stated.
Jon Jones’ Perspective: Aspinall Doesn’t Interest Him
Jones, however, recently threw a wrench in White’s plans, stating he’s unlikely to defend his title against Aspinall, should he defeat Miocic at UFC 309. In his words, Aspinall is still unproven, despite winning the interim belt against Sergei Pavlovich. Instead, Jones mentioned a more compelling name in his eyes: reigning light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira.
"More than likely not," Jones said, referring to a potential bout with Aspinall. "I feel like Tom Aspinall… he just hasn’t proven anything." Instead, he hinted that Pereira would be a more valuable addition to his legacy, indicating his preference to face high-profile champions over emerging fighters.
The Legacy Angle: Miocic's Place in History
Jones is quick to defend Miocic as a worthy opponent, even as critics question why Miocic is getting another shot after his 2021 loss to Francis Ngannou. Jones pointed to Miocic's impressive résumé, which includes wins over former champions like Daniel Cormier, Ngannou, and Junior dos Santos.
"It’s unfortunate that we live in a world where one bad performance discredits a person so much," Jones said. "Stipe is every bit as worthy of being my opponent."
Jones and White: A History of Divergent Views
Jones and Dana White have often had differing opinions on career moves, especially regarding Jones’ place in the pound-for-pound (P4P) rankings. While White recently hailed Jones as the P4P king, some rankings, like Kevin Iole's, omit him due to his inactivity. Despite past disagreements, White’s vocal support for Jones as the P4P No. 1 seems to underscore a recognition of Jones' unique longevity and success across eras.
At age 37, Jones continues to add to his legacy. “It’s a huge honor,” Jones said, acknowledging White’s praise. "I’m grateful that he’s not allowing the naysayers or some of the fans to just push me to the side because I have done a tremendous amount of work for this company."
What’s Next for the Heavyweight Division?
While White remains optimistic about a showdown between Aspinall and the winner of Jones vs. Miocic, the possibility of both Jones and Miocic retiring still looms. Aspinall, who plans to weigh in as the backup for UFC 309, will be cageside, ready for whatever the night brings.
If Jones retains his belt, he may stick to his stance of facing only legacy opponents. Meanwhile, Aspinall will continue pushing for his opportunity to unify the title, potentially waiting for the day when the path to the heavyweight throne is clear.
UFC 309 promises not only a clash of legends but also high stakes for the future of the heavyweight division. Whether Dana White’s positive affirmation becomes reality or Jones' vision prevails, the upcoming match will certainly shake up the division and leave fans eager to see what lies ahead. Fight.TV is here for it!
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