Dana White and the UFC matchmakers are busy making fights for the new year. One of the biggest tasks they have in their mind and their highest priorities is attempting to book one of the biggest fights in the promotion’s history between UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall.
Jones and Aspinall seemed destined for an Octagon clash after Jones’ successful first heavyweight title defense against Stipe Miocic back in November 2024. Aspinall sat cage-side at UFC 309 as Jones put on a technical performance against Miocic as he secured a stoppage victory.
Despite initial hesitance in facing Tom Aspinall, Jon Jones has since pivoted on that stance and is in active negotiations with the UFC team for at least one more fight. In the buildup to UFC 309, Jones surprisingly hinted at retirement after a legendary career in the Octagon.
Weeks later, the state of Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall remains foggy, and White provided some clarity on what the promotion is prepared to do should the fight fall through the cracks.

Dana White can strip Jon Jones if the Tom Aspinall fight falls through
During a recent interview with TheMacLife, Dana White provided an update on the Jones vs. Aspinall fight negotiations. “There’s no situation, it’s the biggest fight that we can make. I know the fans like to mess with Jon or whatever, Jon Jones isn’t afraid of anybody, and Jon Jones will fight anybody. It’s just a matter of getting the fight done now, that’s our job.”
Despite White’s unwavering confidence, he acknowledged that stripping Jones of the heavyweight championship belt is a possibility if the Aspinall fight isn’t finalized in the coming months. He added:
“100 percent. If we don’t get the fight done, we move on and we make another fight. But the night before, I was up in my room with my people until like 6 in the morning, we’re working on lots of stuff right now. There’s lots of really good s*** going on right now.”
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