Morning Report: Tom Aspinall believes Jon Jones ‘secretly’ wants to fight: ‘He hates the fact, that people are saying I can beat him’

Tom Aspinall believes that Jon Jones is avoiding a fight with him.

Jones recently defended his heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic at UFC 309, but has expressed disinterest in facing Aspinall next. Despite this, Aspinall has issued a warning to Jones, indicating that if the fight does happen, Jones should be prepared.

In an interview with Ariel Helwani, Aspinall stated, “I think the main thing we can take away is me right now at 31 years old, and Stipe right now at 42 years old, coming off a big layoff, are not even in the same stratosphere.”

Aspinall further added, “I ain’t 42-year-old Stipe, and Jon knows it. Jon’s a lot smarter than a lot of you people think, and Jon knows exactly what he’s up against.”

Despite Jones pushing for a fight with light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira, UFC seems focused on the potential matchup with Aspinall. Aspinall believes Jones is pretending to not be interested in the fight.

Aspinall commented, “I think he secretly wants it. Because he has a gigantic ego. And he should have! He’s one of the best fighters ever and he hates the fact, hates the fact, that people are saying I can beat him.”

Aspinall also mentioned, “On the contrary to what he says, I ain’t never been an asshole to him. We’ve got a bit of banter with this duck thing going. Oh that’s so offensive! … Come on Jon, stop being so sensitive.”

Regarding the fight, Aspinall believes he has the upper hand due to Jones not being able to study him extensively, stating, “He has no idea what to prepare for and that is fantastic for me.”

Champ. Stipe Miocic releases his first statement since UFC 309 loss.

Referee. Charles Oliveira blasts referee for poor handling of fight with Michael Chandler.

Delusion. Netflix believes they handled the streaming issues with Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson “brilliantly.”

Another. Dominick Cruz hopes for one final fight in early 2025.

Suspension. Don Madge suspended for two years by USADA after announcing retirement.

Exit Review. Discussing the biggest stories coming out of UFC 309.

UFC Macau promo.

UFC doing the full court press on calling Jon Jones the GOAT.

Dominick Cruz.

UFC 309 recap.

On To The Next One.

Stipe.

Respect.

Damn good fight.

Conor McGregor was on one.

Mayra Bueno Silva (10-4-1) vs. Jasmine Jasudavicius (12-3); UFC Saudi Arabia, Feb. 1.

Dana White being mad Jon Jones isn’t No. 1 in the pound-for-pound rankings gave me the smile I needed today. A very, very silly thing to be so upset about, especially since it’s a bad take.