Jon Jones will return to the UFC Octagon this summer, according to UFC president Dana White.
The UFC are pushing for Jones to defend his heavyweight title against Tom Aspinall this year following his stoppage victory over Stipe Miocic last November.
It is a fight MMA fans have been clambering for since the Mancunian picked up the interim belt in 2023.
However, Aspinall insists Jones is holding up the bout.
“Where we’re at right now is, I have spoken to the UFC on multiple occasions on this fight,” Aspinall said in a video uploaded to his YouTube channel.
“I’m chasing it. I want the fight. I’ve been on record and said that I want the fight. I’ve been on the phone with the UFC saying, ‘I want the fight. When’s it happening?’
“I want the fight more than anyone. What is holding it up right now is his side. That’s the truth of it. The UFC really, really want the fight to happen.
“They’ve told me that. This is one of the biggest fights in MMA.
“Does he want to put himself in a position where he’s comfortable enough financially to take the risk that he’s taking to fight me? And that is where we’re at.
“The UFC tell me, they assure me they are doing everything they can to make this fight.
“But what’s holding it back is the UFC want to make the fight with me and Jon, and as far as I’m aware, it’s now about maybe financial, or otherwise. I’m not too sure, to be honest. I’m just waiting for the call right now.”
After beating Miocic at UFC 309, Jones told assembled media at his post-fight press conference that he isn’t interested in facing Aspinall and would rather square off against UFC light-heavyweight champion Alex Pereira.
Yet White assured ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith during a recent appearance on the network that Jones will ‘fight anyone’.
“Jones will fight anyone, don’t let the internet fool you about Jon Jones,” he said.
White then went on to reveal when he expects Jones to be back in action.
“This summer,” he added.
If Jones refuses to face Aspinall, then White has already insisted he will strip the future Hall of Famer of his heavyweight crown.
But the MMA mogul has remained steadfast throughout that it shouldn’t come to that.
