Jon Jones doesn’t want to fight Tom Aspinall and will vacate his heavyweight crown.
‘Bones’ was in action for the first time since March 2023, making a first defence of his title against veteran Stipe Miocic.
Jones, as many expected, picked up the victory with a thunderous spinning-kick KO sending the American flat on his back and seeing him now placed into retirement.
The champion, who is considered the greatest of all-time in UFC history, hinted at retirement several months ago but has a plethora of options available.
Briton Tom Aspinall is the key challenger who currently holds the interim belt and wants to unify in a mega-fight, but Jones has shown little interest.
And that has continued with Jones vowing after the fight to ignore the challenge of Aspinall, and focus on a potential huge showdown with light-heavyweight king Alex Pereira.
He said at the post-fight press conference: “I’m not really worried about the Tom [Aspinall] fight.
“I’m more worried about the [Alex] Pereira fight. That’s what I really want to do.
“And I think if the UFC wants to have me back, then I think that’s the fight they will make.
“I have been very clear about my intentions, and that’s what I want. I think anybody will understand about this point.
“I will retire without the heavyweight belt if I have too. Give the guy what he wants. I’m at a place now I want to be in super-fights.
“I don’t want to fight dangerous up-and-comers anymore, I want to fight established champions.
“Tom can have the heavyweight championship if he wants it, I’ve created something much bigger and I want Pereira.”
When asked about another super-fight against now PFL heavyweight Francis Ngannou, he added: “I’m here to talk UFC business tonight.”
Jones has made it clear he will retire from the sport, if he is not to be met with demands by the UFC.
It is clear he would need to make a career-high purse if he is to somehow accept the challenge of Aspinall, which he has regularly batted away.
UFC president Dana White has admitted he would be open to staging Jones’ preferred match-up with Pereira on multiple occasions.
But after watching Jones destroy Miocic, White would rather see the fight with Aspinall, but would consider ‘Poatan’ if the pair pursue it.
He said: “You know what tonight told me, there’s no f**king way I make the Pereira fight.
“Jon is too big and a great wrestler, see how he took Stipe down in that first round.
“I like Alex Pereira personally but it just doesn’t make sense to make fight.
“If they are both f***ing hounding me or something then maybe I will do it, but that’s it.”
