Jon Jones Slams Tom Aspinall Over UFC 309 Comments
As Jon Jones prepares for his highly anticipated fight against Stipe Miocic at UFC 309, he made it clear he has no interest in a future fight with Tom Aspinall. Citing personal reasons, Jones had strong words for the British heavyweight, criticizing both his attitude and approach to gaining attention. “If I’m being completely honest, I feel like Tom’s been such an a**hole that I don’t want to do business with him,”* Jones said during the UFC 309 media day.
Jones Criticizes Tom Aspinall’s Approach
When discussing Aspinall, Jones expressed frustration over what he sees as the interim champion’s disrespectful behavior. He noted Aspinall’s attempts to hype up a fight by calling Jones and Miocic “two old farts” fighting for the “most disputed title” in the UFC. This, according to Jones, only added to his reluctance to engage with Aspinall:
“He’s 30, so he’s from this influencer generation,” Jones stated. “If you had a little bit more respect, maybe we could have something out. I just don’t even want to do business with him.”
For Jones, the decision not to fight Aspinall is as much about principle as it is about legacy:
“Fighting me gives him the opportunity to change his life forever. I don’t even want to give him the opportunity,” he explained.
Jon Jones Prefers Alex Pereira
While Jon Jones slammed Tom Aspinall, he had far more respectful words for UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira, viewing him as a more appealing opponent:
“Pereira on the other side — respectful, cool, barely says much. I’ll do business with you,” Jones said. He also acknowledged Pereira’s impressive credentials, calling him a worthy adversary. “You actually have the accolades to back up your shit. The other guy is just a big mouth who’s hot today.”
According to Jones, Pereira’s respectful attitude makes him the kind of fighter Jones would be willing to face. The contrast with Aspinall’s approach couldn’t be more stark in Jones’s eyes, and he made it clear which fighter he respects.
Aspinall’s “Hot Today” Status
Jones, a veteran of the sport, reflected on his years in MMA and the many “hot” fighters who have come and gone. He remarked:
“There’s been so many guys who are hot today who are just gone. Sergei [Pavlovich] was in the same position not too long ago, and now he’s starting to fall off already.” According to Jones, Aspinall’s current popularity doesn’t make him a worthy opponent for his legacy.
Though he acknowledges that Aspinall has talent, Jones sees little to gain from a fight with him:
“For me, what’s in it for me? He changes nothing if I beat him,” Jones shared. “Beating Tom is just like beating Ciryl Gane. Has a whole country behind him, he’s hot right now — what happens to me after I beat him? Nothing changes for me.”
Jones’s Future in UFC After Miocic
Looking ahead, Jones’s main goal is to get through his fight with Stipe Miocic at UFC 309. If the UFC insists on an Aspinall fight, Jones has indicated he may consider retirement:
“If the UFC doesn’t want [a Pereira fight] to happen, then it won’t happen and I’ll just move on with my life,” Jones said.
He hinted at the idea of a final “super fight” with Pereira as the more meaningful choice for him and his team. “The only super fight that makes sense to me — not to everyone else but to me and my team — is Alex Pereira,” Jones concluded.
As UFC 309 nears, Jones remains focused on Miocic but has set clear expectations for what he envisions as his ideal path forward. It’s Alex Pereira, or he’s out.
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
