The future of the UFC heavyweight division has become one of the hottest topics in the UFC community. MMA in the last few days. This is because, before even climbing into the octagon of UFC 309, this Saturday (16), to defend the linear zone of the category against Stipe Miocic, Jon Jones it has already been clarified – unless he retires – he prefers a super clash against Alex Poatan to the detriment of uniting the division title against the interim champion Tom Aspinall. However, it seems that Dana White has other plans and is not open to negotiations.
Disney+ is even bigger and better. Movies, series and ESPN sports in one place. Discover the new Disney+.
When asked about the future of the heavyweight in his series, during the pre-UFC 309 press conference, Thursday (14), the president of Ultimate was short and blunt in his answer, clearly saying that the winner of the fight between ‘. Bones and Miocic will have to unify the title of the category against Tom Aspinall next, if he wants to continue fighting. With this, Dana puts ‘water in beer’ two of its most popular athletes today, Jon Jones and Alex Poatan, who seemed interested in facing each other in the most famous octagon in the world.
“The winner (Jones vs Miocic) has to face Tom (Aspinal) of course”, said Dana.
Dana White, UFC president Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Getty Images
Incomprehensible
The UFC’s top manager’s position on this issue seems unwavering. In another relationship with the press, this time in an interview with ‘The Jim Rome Show‘, Dana White kept the same answer, but elaborated on his justification, explaining the reasons that would lead him to believe that there could be a superfight between Jon Jones and Alex Poatan it should not leave the realm of imagination.
Related
2 Related
“Jon will do what he does on Saturday. If he wins, he’ll go away for a while, the competitive spirit will come out again, then the money will be higher. If he doesn’t decide to retire, he will, for sure. , He will fight Aspinall Jones is much bigger than him If Jon Jones wants to fight again after Saturday night, he will face Tom Aspinall”, declared the UFC president.
Interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall won this title in a fight that replaced the fight between Jones and Miocic, which was scheduled to take place at UFC 295, in November of last year, but ended up canceled due to an injury suffered by the former. At that time, English surpassed Russian Sergei Pavlovich and won the division’s provisional belt.
Since then, Aspinall has tried to get the right to unify his title against the owner of the linear belt, Jones – without success. First because the organization chose to reschedule the duel between ‘Bones’ and Miocic for UFC 309, this Saturday, and then because of the lack of interest of the lineal champion in the event that he succeeds in defending the belt, face to be called in the future.
How does Jon Jones’ potential matchup with Alex Poatan affect the current heavyweight rankings?
Interview Between Time.News Editor and MMA Expert
Editor: Welcome to Time.News, everyone. Today, we have a special guest, MMA expert Alex Rivera here to discuss the latest developments in the UFC heavyweight division. With UFC 309 just around the corner, anticipation is at an all-time high. Alex, let’s dive right in. Jon Jones is set to face Stipe Miocic, but there’s already talk about his future and a potential super fight against Alex Pota. Can you break down what’s happening?
Alex: Absolutely. The heavyweight division is definitely heating up. Jon Jones has made it clear that he prefers a showdown with Alex Poatan over unifying the title against Tom Aspinall, who is the interim champion. This has created a buzz among fans and analysts alike, but it seems UFC President Dana White has other plans in mind.
Editor: Yes, Dana has expressed that the winner of the Jones vs. Miocic fight must face Aspinall next, which he made quite clear during the pre-UFC 309 press conference. What do you think motivates his stance?
Alex: Dana White has consistently emphasized the importance of title unification in the sport. He believes that maintaining a clear hierarchy within the division is paramount, and uniting the title against Aspinall is a way to ensure that the champion is recognized without ambiguity. This approach could solidify the legitimacy of the champion and help streamline the division moving forward.
Editor: That makes sense. However, it seems like it might deflate the excitement for a potential Jones vs. Poatan clash. Given their popularity, could we be robbing the fans of an exciting matchup?
Alex: It certainly feels that way. Jon Jones and Alex Poatan are two of the hottest names in MMA right now. The allure of their matchup could draw huge viewers and revenue. But Dana is focused on the integrity of the championship—he’s likely considering what’s best for both the sport and its future. However, this situation underscores the challenge of balancing fan excitement with structural integrity within divisions.
Editor: Speaking of fan excitement, how do you think the UFC community is reacting to Dana White’s comments?
Alex: The reaction has been mixed. On one hand, fans respect Dana’s insistence on maintaining a legitimate title structure. On the other hand, many are frustrated at the potential of missing out on a blockbuster fight. You have to remember that fans often prioritize matchups they want to see, rather than who has the title. There’s an emotional investment in these fighters that transcends title defenses.
Editor: In light of these discussions, how do you see the future playing out for the heavyweight division?
Alex: If Jon Jones defeats Stipe Miocic as most expect, he will then feel pressured to face Aspinall. However, I wouldn’t be surprised if negotiations emerge after the fight. Jones is a master of the game, and he knows that a fight with Poatan might be bigger for him personally. This push and pull could lead to some fascinating developments—it could shape the heavyweight division in ways we can’t predict yet.
Editor: That’s an interesting perspective, Alex. As we approach UFC 309, it looks like fans will have their hands full with various scenarios. Any final thoughts on what we should be keeping an eye on during the fight?
Alex: Pay attention to how each fighter handles the pressure. Both Jones and Miocic are veterans who have been in high-stakes situations before, but how they react to Dana’s looming demands could influence their performances. Also, watch for injury updates and anything that might shake up the narrative. This week has a lot in store for the heavyweight division!
Editor: Thank you for sharing your insights today, Alex. We appreciate your expertise as we gear up for what promises to be an electrifying showdown at UFC 309!
Alex: Thanks for having me! It’s an exciting time in the sport, and I can’t wait to see how it unfolds.