Forward of his UFC 309 return subsequent month, heavyweight titleholder, Jon Jones has as soon as extra performed down the probabilities of a title unification battle with Tom Aspinall subsequent, as an alternative claiming he would welcome the prospect to tackle mild heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira ought to he prevail at Madison Sq. Backyard.
Jones, a former undisputed mild heavyweight champion twice underneath the banner of the UFC, will put his heavyweight crown on the road subsequent weekend in New York, with the Rochester native welcoming former two-time divisional gold holder, Stipe Miocic again to the Octagon for the primary time since 2021.
Sidelined by damage since March of final yr, former pound-for-pound primary, Jon Jones has but to enter the Octagon since touchdown the vacant title with a surprising first spherical win over former interim gold holder, Ciryl Gane, submitting the Frenchman with a dominant guillotine choke submission.
And within the time throughout Jon Jones‘ layoff, British heavyweight, Aspinall has since landed an interim title with a knockout of Sergei Pavlovich, and defended it efficiently earlier this summer season with one other strikes win over Curtis Blaydes of their title rematch.
Jon Jones prefers Alex Pereira matchup after UFC 309 return
And accused of purposely avoiding a title unification assembly with Aspinall, Jones doesn’t seem like excited about a future conflict subsequent, as an alternative figuring out a pairing with present mild heavyweight greatest, Pereira as a likelier opponent should he continue fighting after UFC 309.
“Greater than seemingly not,” Jones instructed Kevin Iole when requested if he would battle Aspinall after UFC 309. “I really feel like Tom Aspinall is, I don’t wish to say no person, however he simply hasn’t confirmed something. He hasn’t executed something. I perceive he gained his belt towards Sergei, and Sergei simply received slaughtered by another person, so it’s like, I’m not right here to gamble another person making a reputation off of me.”
“If there have been to be a battle of a man that’s nonetheless on our UFC roster that will be not solely financially value it, however legacy value it, it might be Alex Pereira,” Jones stated. “We’re each 37 years outdated. Proper now, I weigh about 235. I’m an extremely mild heavyweight. I believe Pereira walks round at 240. I believe that battle would go a lot farther on my legacy than a younger man who’s cool immediately, and could also be gone tomorrow.
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