Dana White calls 'bulls***' on Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall not happening

The UFC CEO went on a media tirade about Jones-Aspinall
Apr 13, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; UFC president Dana White (left) with Joe Rogan during UFC 300 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Apr 13, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; UFC president Dana White (left) with Joe Rogan during UFC 300 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

UFC CEO Dana White appears dismayed by the possibility of the heavyweight unification fight between Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall not coming to fruition.

Contrary to what Tom Aspinall and his father, Andy Aspinall, have claimed about negotiations, White is adamant that only the UFC knows what's really transpiring.

Dana Whit
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

"I've said since Day 1 that this would be the biggest heavyweight fight in the history of the company and the history of the sport," White told reporters last Saturday. "This will be a big one."

While there is little to deny regarding White being wrong given the star power of both men, no concrete timeline has been set on a date or venue for the fight.

Regardless, White called out media members who say they have concrete answers.

"Everything you hear is bulls**t until we say it," White said.

Tom Aspinall Continues To Wait For Jon Jones

Tom Aspinall carries on
Nov 11, 2023; New York, NY, USA; Tom Aspinall (blue gloves) reacts to beating Sergei Pavlovich (red gloves) during UFC 295 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images | Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

The holdup appears unresolved, at least for now. A resolution is anyone's guess. Despite those factors, White expects the fight to happen.

"I'm still super confident," White said about the fight's likelihood. "I've said it many times that that's the fight we want to make this year."

Jones defended the UFC heavyweight title last fall, while Aspinall has essentially been shelved, minus recently holding onto the No. 1 spot as the sport's interim champion with the most days attached in the promotion's history.

So, what gives?

At this point, it's apparent the UFC holds all the cards. Whether Aspinall gets what he's asking for remains unknown.

If he does, everyone wins.

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Zain Bando
ZAIN BANDO

Zain Bando is a writer & columnist for Gameday Media's MMA Knockout, expanding his portfolio as a Staff Writer for Dallas Wings On SI with previous in-network contributions around the echosystem. Outside of covering fights, Bando's background includes Big Ten football and men's basketball with leans toward Illinois and Northwestern with a broader league view for bylines including The Sporting News, FanSided, Men's Journal and others since 2019. Bando can be reached at zainbando99@gmail.com or via his social media accounts @zainbando99.

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