X

Video: Dana White Names Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall as Fight He Wants Most in 2025

Doric SamDecember 16, 2024

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 07: UFC CEO Dana White attends the UFC 310 event at T-Mobile Arena on December 07, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

UFC president Dana White made it clear that he's hoping to schedule a highly-anticipated fight between heavyweight champion Jon Jones and interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall next year.

During an appearance on ESPN's First Take on Monday, White was asked by Stephen A. Smith about what fight he most wants to see in 2025, and he named the heavyweight title unification bout.

"So I get asked this every year, and this year it would be Aspinall-Jones," White said around the 3:05 mark. "That's the biggest fight in heavyweight history, and at the end of the day, what my job is, is to give the fans what they want, and that's what the fans want."

White's comments echo his stance from his post-fight press conference this past weekend when he said, "Yeah, I'll say 100 percent [guaranteed]" of the possibility of Jones and Aspinall facing each other next year.

Fans have been clamoring for Jones to face Aspinall ever since Jones suffered a torn labrum that kept him out of the Octagon for over a year. During that time, Aspinall was crowned interim champion and defended his belt once. Jones made his long-awaited return last month in the main event of UFC 309 and defeated former heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic by third-round TKO to retain his title.

However, Jones has long resisted the possibility of fighting Aspinall, claiming that the 31-year-old isn't deserving of a fight against him.

Jonny Meat @JonnyBones

I know it's hard for a lot of you guys to grasp,, but based on his résumé today, fighting and beating him would change nothing about my legacy. I would literally be in the same position I am now. The Goat <a href="https://t.co/9vNS0Ga4gd">https://t.co/9vNS0Ga4gd</a>

Still, it sounds like White is motivated to make the fight happen, so there's a chance that he makes Jones an offer that he can't refuse to step in the Octagon against Aspinall.