Once more stoking the flames of his rivalry with Tom Aspinall, UFC 309 headliner, Jon Jones has claimed the interim titleholder holds no more ability than a host of his former foes — including the likes of former title challengers, Anthony Smith, and Ovince Saint Preux.
Jones, a former two-time undisputed light heavyweight champion and a current heavyweight gold holder, returns this weekend in the main event of UFC 309, welcoming former two-time champion, Stipe Miocic back to the Octagon for the first time in three years.
Himself sidelined since March of last year, Rochester native, Jones most recently snatched the vacant heavyweight crown with a dominant opening round stoppage of former interim titleholder, Ciryl Gane, submitting the Frenchman with a guillotine choke submission victory.
Jon Jones prefers Alex Pereira matchup over Tom Aspinall pairing
And slated to return this weekend against Miocic, Jones has continually played down the chances he actually faces off with current interim gold holder, Aspinall in a future unification title fight at heavyweight limit — instead preferring a matchup with Brazilian favorite, Alex Pereira.
“It’d be cool to fight over the heavyweight championship but I would also willingly give up the heavyweight championship,” Jon Jones told SportsNet on Monday during an interview. “I walked away from the light heavyweight championship. I’d love to walk away from this one as well on top, on [my] own terms, good head on your shoulders, making lots of money. I love the position that I’m in right now.
“Fighting (Alex) Pereira for the ‘BMF’ belt, that would be cool,” Jon Jones explained. “We both have two belts in two weight classes and the night we fought we’d both be fighting for our third belt, which would be the ‘BMF.’ How cool would that be?”
And furthermore, this week, Jones has questioned the hype surrounding the Atherton native, comparing him to former foe, Dominick Reyes, as well as promotional alum, Saint Preux.
“(Tom) Aspinall to me, is no different than an Ovince Saint Preux, or a Dominick Reyes, or an Anthony Smith,” Jon Jones told ESPN during an interview ahead of UFC 309. “He’s just like another up and comer that’s exciting right now.”
“And I’m not into gambling my legacy for what’s ‘exciting’,” Jon Jones explained. “I want legends on my resume.”