- Jon Jones insisted that he wants to face Stipe Miocic first before making another decision
- “Bones” is not ruling out a title unification bout with Tom Aspinall
Jon Jones is still focused on facing Stipe Miocic but is also interested in a title unification bout with Tom Aspinall.
Stipe first
Speaking to Submission Radio, “Bones” reiterated his plan to take on Miocic for the heavyweight battle for greatness. Jones pointed out that from there, he’ll see if what his body would tell him. However, in his current state of mind, a unification bout with Aspinall is not being ruled out.
“Me and Stipe have unfinished business, and I think it’s the only fair thing to do,” Jones stated. “I’m excited for Tom and his future [but] I’m really going to base whether I continue on how I compete against Stipe, how I heal up from this injury. I could blow Stipe out of the water or it could be an absolute war. And I feel like I need to take one step at a time before seeing what I do next. But the Tom fight is definitely not off the table, especially with how I’ve been feeling being out here. I feel just totally reinvigorated and just re-energized just being around all these fans.”
“So, I can’t just walk away,” he continued. “So, the ball is rolling in a really positive direction for me to continue my career… I really don’t know what’s going to be next. I’m just taking it one thing at a time. That’s my respect to Stipe, is just to take it one thing at a time, and to respect him as a challenge that he will be.”
“As impressive as Tom is, he’s not important enough yet to determine my schedules and my decisions. Fair enough, huh?”
An advice for Tom
Jones was then asked to comment on Aspinall’s eagerness to fight him to prove that he is the greatest heavyweight on the face of the planet. For “Bones,” Aspinall should forget about him for now and focus on beating people, especially with someone like Alex Pereira planning to move up to heavyweight.
“If I were him, I would get after it, I would get after it,” Jones said of Aspinall potentially facing Pereira. “If you truly believe that you’re the best in the world, then get after it. Go out there and compete. And the real fans will count your victories as ‘championships’ or whatnot. But don’t let me slow you down. Go out there and kick butt and make your money.”
Jon says no to UFC 300
As it turns out, the UFC has reached out to Jones to headline the much-awaited UFC 300 event. However, “Bones” said no as he wants to be at his best form when he steps inside the Octagon once again.
“I got a call from Hunter Campbell… he said, ‘Jon, I know it’s only nine weeks away, but if there’s any chance you’re feeling up to it, it would be awesome news for the community that you’re coming back and headlining one of the biggest events ever.’ As honored as I am for the opportunity, I just don’t think I’ll be ready. I just don’t… I only have a few more events left, and I want to give those events my all and make sure that I come back 100 percent,” Jones revealed.
Jones was supposed to fight Miocic at UFC 295 but a pectoral injury saw him pulling out of the card. On the other hand, Aspinall has been calling for a bout with Jones as he believes it makes more sense than that with Miocic.
Watch Jones’ full interview below:
