UFC Bombshell: Dana White Promises Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall in 2025, But Fans Shouldn’t Hold Their Breath Just Yet
The MMA world is buzzing with anticipation after UFC President Dana White dropped a bombshell announcement regarding the future of the heavyweight division. According to White, a showdown between current heavyweight champion Jon “Bones” Jones and interim champ Tom Aspinall is on the horizon for 2025. But before you mark your calendars, there’s a catch – the deal isn’t quite locked in yet.
The Most Anticipated Heavyweight Clash in UFC History?
Let’s be real – this is the fight every MMA purist has been clamoring for. Jon Jones, widely considered the greatest of all time, finally squaring off against the UK’s wrecking ball Tom Aspinall? Sign me up! But I’ve been around this sport long enough to know that Dana’s promises come with asterisks bigger than Jones’ wingspan.
Since capturing the vacant heavyweight title against Ciryl Gane in March 2023, Jones has been frustratingly inactive. A pectoral injury forced him out of his scheduled title defense against Stipe Miocic at UFC 295, opening the door for Aspinall to claim interim gold with a devastating first-round knockout of Sergei Pavlovich.
The Complex Road to Unification
The situation gets messier by the minute. Jones has been laser-focused on facing Miocic – a fight with historical significance but one that frankly has lost much of its luster with Aspinall’s meteoric rise. Meanwhile, Aspinall has been actively defending his interim belt, most recently dispatching Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304 with terrifying efficiency.
White has maintained that Jones will face Miocic first, likely in November at Madison Square Garden, while keeping Aspinall in a holding pattern. This has led to a deeply divided fanbase:
| Pro-Jones Camp | Pro-Aspinall Camp |
|---|---|
| Jones deserves to choose his opponents as the GOAT | Interim champ should always face undisputed champ next |
| Jones-Miocic is historically significant | Aspinall represents the new generation |
| Jones is nearing retirement | Merit-based matchmaking should prevail |
Reading Between Dana’s Lines
I’ve covered Dana White pressers for years, and there’s something about this 2025 timeline that feels… convenient. It gives Jones ample time to face Miocic, potentially retire with another big payday, and never have to risk his legacy against the younger, explosively dangerous Aspinall.
“We’re working on it,” White told reporters with his trademark confidence. “These guys will fight in 2025.” But when pressed on contract details, White’s demeanor shifted slightly. “Nothing’s signed yet, but we’re making progress.”
Translation: Don’t hold your breath.
The Skeptic’s View: Will This Fight Ever Happen?
Look, I love the UFC and have tremendous respect for Dana White, but MMA history is littered with “dream fights” that never materialized. Remember Khabib vs. Ferguson? That fell through FIVE times. Or how about Jones vs. Silva in their primes?
Several obstacles stand in the way of Jones-Aspinall becoming reality:
- Jones could retire after the Miocic fight
- Aspinall might lose the interim belt before 2025
- Contract negotiations could stall indefinitely
- Injuries could derail plans (as they often do)
What This Means for the Heavyweight Division
The ripple effects of this situation extend throughout the heavyweight ranks. Contenders like Sergei Pavlovich, Ciryl Gane, and Alexander Volkov are essentially fighting for the right to be second in line, potentially waiting years for their title opportunity.
If Jones does face Miocic in November 2023 and then doesn’t fight Aspinall until late 2025, we’re looking at a two-year bottleneck at the top of the division. That’s an eternity in fight years.
The Fan Perspective: Growing Frustration
I’ve spoken with countless fans at recent UFC events in Florida, and the sentiment is clear: they’re growing impatient with Jones’ selective approach to matchmaking. One longtime UFC viewer told me, “If you’re the champ, you fight the top contender. Period. This isn’t boxing.”
Social media has been equally unforgiving, with #DefendOrVacate trending whenever Jones posts training footage that isn’t preparation for Aspinall.
The Bottom Line
While Dana White’s promise of Jones vs. Aspinall in 2025 gives fans something to look forward to, I’m advising cautious optimism. This sport has taught me that until both fighters are locked in the cage and the door closes, nothing is guaranteed.
What I can guarantee is this: if Jones and Aspinall do eventually collide, it will be one of the most significant heavyweight matchups in UFC history – a clash between arguably the greatest talent the sport has ever seen and a new-generation powerhouse with all the tools to dethrone him.
Until then, we wait, we hope, and we keep our expectations in check.
What’s your take? Will we actually see Jones vs. Aspinall in 2025, or is this another fight that will end up in the MMA history books as “what could have been”? Drop your thoughts in the comments!
Source: Vox Media