Dana White reveals behind the scenes of the negotiations for the UFC duel between Jon Jones and Aspinall: 'He accepted'

Dana White confirms UFC in Brazil in 2025 / Reproduction Super Lutas

O tug of war starring Jon Jones, Tom aspinall and the UFC seems to be getting closer and closer to a conclusion. The organization's heavyweight champion (up to 120,2 kg) has not yet made it clear whether he will give the British the opportunity to unify the titles or whether he will opt to hang up his gloves without a farewell fight. Faced with the impasse, Dana White decided to clarify the behind-the-scenes situation.

During the press conference UFC 316, the president of the Ultimate reinforced that the organization has been dealing with the possible confrontation between Jones and Aspinall for a long time. However, White stressed that it is not possible to force the champion to accept the fight. If 'Bones' is not willing to face the British, the UFC will continue to look for ways to motivate him to return to the octagon.

See too

Amanda Nunes reveals expectations for her return to the octagon and reacts to her rival's victory at UFC 316

Alex Poatan breaks the silence after Ankalaev's provocations, hits back at the Russian and explains his absence from the octagon

Pockets full! Kayla Harrison and Merab Dvalishvili earn bonuses and take home the big bucks at UFC 316

“It’s Aspinall’s fight. I mean, we’ve been talking to this kid about this for a long time, and it’s his fight. Listen, you can’t force people to fight. If Jon doesn’t want to fight, you can’t force him. We didn’t even try to force this fight. We can throw ideas at him that might inspire him, if he doesn’t want to fight… but we’ll figure it out,” Dana White explained.

Despite this, Dana revealed that Jon Jones has already received and accepted a fight offer previously. For him, the American's desire to compete still exists, and the plan to put him back in the octagon has remained part of the UFC's objectives since the beginning of the talks.

“Yes, I have been saying that from the beginning, and the Jon Jones agreed to do the fight. So… yeah… the Jon Jones received the proposal and accepted it.”, concluded Dana White.

UFC Heavyweight Belt

Jon Jones won the vacant belt by submitting Cyryl Gane No. UFC 285, in March 2023. Since then, he has defended the title only once, in UFC 309, in November 2024, when he won Stipe Miocic, whereas, Tom aspinall won the interim belt by knocking out Sergei Pavlovich and defended him against Curtis blaydes. Since then, he has been waiting for his chance to unify the title with Jones' linear belt.