In a recent interview with long-time combat sports journalist Kevin Iole, Jon Jones said that if he beats Stipe Miocic on November 16 in the main event of UFC 309, he’s probably not going to fight the interim champion, Tom Aspinall.
At 37 years old, Jones is nearing the end of a Hall-of-Fame career.
He is almost universally considered the greatest MMA fighter of all time. Like other greats in boxing, Jones is inclined to chase fights with other big names and legends that offer more proverbial legacy points and large paydays.
Jones has repeatedly said he is interested in fighting current light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira.
Predictably, Jones’ stance caused a massive reaction throughout the MMA community. Many, including former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping, have called for Jones to be stripped if he refuses to fight Aspinall.
Jones has a point, and so do his critics.
I cannot blame Jones for trying to maximize his earning potential and build his legacy for the fights he has left in the sport. He knows there is an expiration date on every fighter’s career.
Each fighter has four significant tasks during their careers: have as much success as they can to establish a legacy, make as much money as possible during the process, leave the sport with the mental and physical faculties to enjoy retirement, and continue to earn post fighting.
It’s not easy, but the concept is straightforward. Jones seemingly thinks about all these things, but his desire to face Pereira more than Aspinall leans into the first two tasks. Pereira is a bigger name than Aspinall.
A pay-per-view with that fight as the main event will probably sell more than one headlined by Jones and Aspinall. Therefore, Jones will almost certainly make more money fighting Pereira.
From there, Jones’ critics win all the points.
Jones has said Aspinall hasn’t done enough to deserve to fight him. That could be true, but he has done enough to be the most deserving fighter for a shot at the UFC heavyweight championship.
Because Jones is the champion and holding UFC titles requires said fighter to defend their belt against the top challengers, Bones should be willing to face Aspinall.
Former UFC women’s featherweight champion and recent retiree Germaine de Ramdamie was stripped of her title for failing to accept fights with the top contenders in her weight class. If Jones is the champion, he has to defend it against the No. 1 contender or interim champion.
There is no real way around it.
That said, Jones didn’t tell Iole that he would be determined to hold on to the heavyweight title when or if he faced Pereira. That is likely his wish, but Jones is an intelligent man.
He knows that there is a chance he could be stripped if he doesn’t fight Aspinall next.
UFC President Dana White has been nudging the winner in that direction for weeks. White has said on several occasions that he believes the winner of Jones-Miocic will fight Aspinall next.
Like Jones, White is also an intelligent man. He knows there is a chance Jones could refuse. Jones has made great money in his career and will collect another substantial payday on November 16.
Jones doesn’t technically need the UFC anymore or the validation of its title–especially if he beats Miocic. He would be stripped and free to pursue a fight with Pereira. If that happens–win or lose–Pereira could make his push toward becoming the heavyweight champion.
Everyone would win in this scenario, which is probably why it won’t happen.
