Jon Jones has the chance to continue to make history. On Saturday, November 16, 'Bones' will defend his heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic in a fight that will pit the MMA 'GOAT' against the best heavyweight in UFC history. Despite rumors of a possible retirement for both after the fight, Jones has left open the possibility of continuing if his performance is dominant and he finds an opponent worthy of his legacy. "One of my main goals is to make it look really easy. If I can achieve that, I think curiosity will keep me going," he said in an interview with Ketone IQ.
That opponent does not appear to be Tom Aspinall, the division's interim champion, as his eyes are on Alex Pereira - the light heavyweight champion. "I will not defend my belt against Aspinall. He has not proven anything. I'm not here to give someone else a name thanks to me, I'm here to compete for legacy fights. Someone who would be worth it for my legacy would be Alex Pereira. We are both 37 years old, we both weigh around 240 pounds and that fight would be better for my legacy," he said in an interview with Kevin Iole.
Aspinall is a young guy who is good today but maybe tomorrow he won't be
The rivalry between Aspinall and Jones has been going on for months, as according to the English fighter the champion has been avoiding him. Tom has dedicated videos and all kinds of provocations to get his attention, but the American does not give in. "Aspinall is a young guy who is good today but maybe tomorrow he won't be. He reminds me of when everyone thought Jhonny Walker was going to beat me. We've already seen how his career has gone," he said. The main reason why Jon Jones does not want to fight Aspinall is that a victory against the Englishman would not make his legacy much bigger, while one against Miocic or Pereira would.
A matter of interest, not titles
A man who has achieved everything is very difficult to keep motivated, especially if it is Jon Jones. Beyond his controversial private life, 'Bones' has broken all the records in the UFC, so he is no longer moved by any interest other than to enhance his legend. Alex Pereira is another fighter destined to enter the company's Hall of Fame, which has led the American to look at him for a possible future fight.
If I don't fight Pereira, I'll step aside
"I want to have a dominant performance so that I can retire or fight Alex Pereira in a mega fight," Jones explained. "I don't care if it's for the belt or not, I don't need any more belts. Just fighting Pereira would be amazing. He has a reputation that I can't deny. The Americans love him, everybody says 'Chama'. If I don't fight him, I'll step aside."
Aspinall responds in his own way
As expected, Tom Aspinall's response was not long in coming, again stressing with a video reviewing his achievements that Jones is trying to avoid him. No matter what he does, it seems that the interim champion does not arouse sympathy or interest in the 'GOAT', who has described him as "annoying". However, Aspinall remains adamant, convinced that he could beat the champion as he has already acknowledged on several occasions.
"If I could have that name on my winning record it would be great. Dana White always says Jones is the 'GOAT' and the number one pound-for-pound. If I go and beat him, he will still have that 'status' and for Dana White he will still be the best, so I ask you to keep that same energy if I beat Jon Jones," he concluded.