TLDR
- Tom Aspinall says Jon Jones and his team are the only thing delaying their UFC heavyweight unification fight
- Aspinall believes financial negotiations are the main issue, revealing Jones was offered around $30 million
- The interim champion has told UFC officials he will accept any date or location for the fight
- Aspinall is willing to fight anyone else for the undisputed title if Jones doesn’t accept soon
- UFC CEO Dana White has guaranteed the fight will happen in 2025 but hasn’t provided specific details
Sources: mmafighting.com | yardbarker.com
UFC interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall says Jon Jones is the only thing standing between him and a title unification fight. The 31-year-old British fighter broke his silence on the situation in a detailed YouTube video, placing responsibility directly on Jones and his team.
“What is holding it up right now is his side,” Aspinall said. “That’s the truth of it.”
Aspinall explained that he has repeatedly told UFC officials he wants the fight and is ready to accept any date or location. He said UFC CEO Dana White and company executives have assured him they desperately want to make the bout happen.
Jones last fought in November 2024, defeating former champion Stipe Miocic in what was billed as his retirement fight. Since then, Jones has teased various options including a potential matchup against light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira.
Money May Be the Sticking Point
Aspinall believes financial negotiations are the main obstacle preventing the fight from being finalized. He said Jones needs to feel “comfortable enough financially to take the risk” of facing him.
In a recent interview, Aspinall revealed that Jones was offered around $30 million for the fight. “I don’t think he’s scared of anybody,” Aspinall said. “I think he wanted the right financial pay. But he did get offered $30 million. That’s a lot of money.”
Tom Aspinall says Jon Jones wasn’t scared of him. 🫡👀
"I don't think he's scared of anybody. I think he wanted the right financial pay. But he did get offered $30 million. That's a lot of money."
(via FFTV with Grace Neutral) pic.twitter.com/is7KJvQCTg
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) March 20, 2026
The interim champion made it clear he has never turned down a fight in his career and won’t start now. He said he has been training twice daily since before Christmas and is in fighting shape.
“I’m not here to turn anyone down,” Aspinall stated. “I’m not here to be a diva. I’m not here to get more money.”
Aspinall Will Fight Anyone for Undisputed Title
While Aspinall would prefer to face Jones, he issued an ultimatum that shows he’s willing to move forward without him. The interim champion said he will fight anyone as long as the undisputed heavyweight title is on the line.
“I will fight absolutely anyone,” Aspinall explained. “But what we need to be clear on is that I have done enough in the UFC to fight for the undisputed title.”
Aspinall pointed out that he has already beaten most of the top 10 ranked heavyweights, many in the first round. He mentioned fighters like Ciryl Gane and Jailton Almeida as potential alternatives if Jones doesn’t accept the fight.
The British fighter recalled a previous statement where he said he would “retire Jon Jones without even fighting him.” He said that prediction could still come true if Jones continues to delay.
Dana White previously guaranteed that Aspinall versus Jones would happen in 2025, but he has not provided specific details about when or where. UFC commentator Daniel Cormier suggested that Jones may have been promised the Miocic fight in exchange for later facing Aspinall.
Aspinall emphasized that he just wants clarity on his future so he can plan the rest of 2025. “Jon, let’s do it,” he said. “If you want to do it, you don’t have to ask me twice. If not, I’ll fight somebody else for the undisputed belt.”
