Jon Jones vs Tom Aspinall may not take place until the final quarter of 2025 amid reports of an audacious request from the champion.
Jones and Aspinall have been holding talks with the UFC and Dana White over a heavyweight blockbuster, which was first mooted to take place this summer.
‘Bones’ was previously against facing the British contender, but is now at the negotiating table having demanded big money to step in the octagon with Aspinall.
The challenger has been left frustrated when giving updates on the progress of a potential showdown, and is growing less optimistic the fight will materialise.
He is expected to hold talks with the UFC ahead of the London card this weekend headlined by Leon Edwards’ clash with Sean Brady.
But MMA insider Ariel Helwani has suggested that talks could be at a stalemate because Jones is asking for more time.
He said: “The clock is ticking on that one because I was told Jon wants six months to prepare if the fight is locked in.
“Now I’m sure money talks but it feels like if the summer is the goal it’s starting to tick away a bit. It might be like, what, September.”
Jones hasn’t fought since defending his UFC heavyweight title for the first time in a routine victory over Stipe Miocic last November.
He has graced the cage just twice since 2020, with his only other bout coming when he became champion by submitting Cyril Gane in 2023.
The 37-year-old is drawing to the closing stages of his career and is unlikely to fight on much longer, given his impeccable UFC legacy.
He initially indicated preference to a clash with Alex Pereira, but that is now deemed unlikely given his defeat to Magomed Ankalaev earlier this month at UFC 314.
Aspinall is desperate to prove the world wrong and dethrone Jones at the summit of the UFC’s pound-for-pound list.
But he recently admitted he was growing tired of the struggling negotiations.
That comes despite UFC kingpin White insisting he is confident the fight will take place, and it still has the potential to land this summer.
He said: “Jon Jones definitely wants this fight.
“It is just when and where, that is what we are working on right now.
“I’m very confident that the fight happens, yeah. It could happen in the summer.”
Aspinall is on a three-fight winning streak and currently holds the UFC interim heavyweight title.
But he hasn’t fought since July 2024 when he beat Curtis Blaydes with another booming stoppage, before calling out Jones.
It is unclear how long the 31-year-old will be willing to wait to see if Jones can be lured into the fight.
Although there is fears he could be left with a lack of options if Jones decides to pull out of talks and retire.
