UFC broadcaster Jon Anik believes Jon Jones' next fight should keep him in the heavyweight division, fueling ongoing debate among fans.
While the heavyweight champion has dismissed a potential clash with his interim counterpart in the division, Tom Aspinall, he has expressed interest in a showdown with reigning light heavyweight titleholder Alex Pereira.
Regardless of the opponent, Jones is reportedly in talks with the UFC for a return in 2025. Anik speculates that the ideal matchup would see Jones face Aspinall in a unification bout.
I have no inside information. I truly don’t. You can call it informed speculation,” Anik shared in an interview with MMA Junkie Radio. “But I do believe that fight is going to happen, and I think what was most telling was the way Jon Jones handled his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan. I also spoke to him backstage for ESPN, and he sounded far from retirement. That’s very encouraging.
And Anik envisions International Fight Week in July 2025, traditionally held in Las Vegas, as the perfect stage for such a high-stakes fight.
It just comes down to what Jon Jones’ number is,” Anik explained. “What is Jon Jones’ net worth? What number is he looking for? Is it $25 million to show? What is Michael Jordan worth? What is the greatest of all time worth? I feel like the company is in a great position to make this fight happen. And I think you’ve got to do Las Vegas, you’ve got to do International Fight Week 2025.