Dana White Confident Jon Jones Will Stay for Potential Showdown with Tom Aspinall Despite Retirement Rumors

UFC President Dana White remains optimistic that heavyweight champion Jon Jones will stick around long enough for a highly anticipated showdown with rising star Tom Aspinall. The British fighter put himself on the radar for a potential clash with the pound-for-pound great by securing the interim heavyweight title last November.

However, Jones—who holds the undisputed title—has hinted at retiring after his upcoming fight with former champion Stipe Miocic this November. The MMA legend has frequently downplayed Aspinall’s credentials on social media, casting doubt on whether the matchup will ever happen. Despite this, White firmly believes that the competitive drive inside Jones will compel him to take on the Wigan-born fighter.

Speaking after the latest episode of Dana White’s Contender Series, White said: “Jon is a very unique individual to deal with. Jon Jones will fight anybody. He absolutely wanted Francis [Ngannou]! You saw what he did to Ciryl Gane. He was eager to face Ngannou and claimed he would handle him the same way.”

White continued, emphasizing that Jones’s greatness is undeniable despite the criticisms he faces online. “For anyone doubting Jon Jones, I’m here to set the record straight. Dislike him if you want, but there’s no way in hell that Jon Jones doesn’t want to fight Aspinall. That’s a guarantee.”

Just this week, Jones hinted that he plans to wrap up his storied career at Madison Square Garden. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Jones addressed rumors that he’s avoiding a fight with Aspinall: “I had already voiced that I wasn’t interested in any more randoms. Now magically I’m ducking a fight that’s never been negotiated or discussed at any table that matters. Lol, I’m sticking to my plans, Jon Jones jumps for no one.”

He added, “I’m 37 years old now, I’ve kicked everyone’s ass. My job is to finish strong, make an amazing movie, and go join Tom Brady, Floyd Mayweather, and all the other retired badasses.”

Jones hasn’t competed since his dominant first-round victory over Ciryl Gane at UFC 285 last March, where he claimed the heavyweight crown. Aspinall, on the other hand, has been building his momentum, defending his interim title in July with a quick 60-second knockout of Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304.

As fans continue to speculate on whether this heavyweight clash will materialize, White’s confidence in Jones’s willingness to face Aspinall keeps hopes alive. Whether the fight happens depends on how Jones’s bout with Miocic plays out and whether the allure of one final challenge convinces him to delay retirement.