Jon Jones is set to defend his UFC heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic in the main event of Saturday’s UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden. Yet, many fight fans are also speculating about a potential showdown between Jones and interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall.
In a recent interview with Aaron Bronsteter of Fox Sports, Jones expressed his opposition to the idea of an interim heavyweight title, saying it was unnecessary and created confusion for fans. Jones believes the interim title was introduced mainly to add hype to the Madison Square Garden event while he recovered from an injury.
"Well, the interim championship shouldn't have been there in the first place. The only reason there was an interim championship fight was because I got hurt, and they needed to keep the importance of that Madison Square Garden event (UFC 295). But Sergei [Pavlovich] and Aspinall shouldn't have been fighting for an interim title in the first place. They should've just been a replacement fight, a main event. I think making it an interim fight was premature, and now you have a bunch of confused people."
Jones also hinted at a possible fight with UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira, noting his long history in the 205-pound division. Jones even indicated he’d be open to vacating his heavyweight title to fight Pereira for the “BMF” (Baddest Motherf*****) title.
"It'd be cool to fight [Pereira] for the heavyweight championship, but I would also willingly give up the heavyweight championship. I walked away from the light heavyweight championship, and I'd love to walk away from this one, as well, on top, on (my) own terms, good head on (my) shoulders, making lots of money. I love the position that I'm in right now."
Jones suggested that a cross-division clash with Pereira would generate considerable attention as it would bring together two elite fighters from different weight classes in a high-stakes showdown.