Jon Jones Responds to Dana White’s Deadline with Blunt Update originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The UFC heavyweight title scene remains in limbo, and the suspense is starting to wear thin. Jon Jones, arguably the most dominant force in MMA history, still hasn’t given the green light on a showdown with interim champ Tom Aspinall. While Dana White has been working behind the curtain to make it happen, the champ’s latest comments suggest the UFC might be left hanging. And if White’s tone is any indication, patience is running out.
During a recent appearance on The Jim Rome Show, Dana White didn’t sugarcoat the situation. The UFC president confirmed the clock is very much ticking.
‘We’ll see how this thing plays out over the next couple of weeks. If we can’t get this fight done, we’ll move on quickly … We’ll have answers in the next couple weeks.’
When Rome pressed for a firm timeline, White held the line:
‘A couple of weeks.’
“Jon Jones has never turned down an opponent here or been afraid to fight anybody.” @danawhite is still hopeful for a Jones-Aspinall matchup for the @UFC heavyweight title. pic.twitter.com/ahcw97P8OO
— Jim Rome (@jimrome) June 18, 2025
That’s not exactly vague. The UFC is ready to move with or without Jones. But ‘Bones’ doesn’t sound like a man feeling the heat. Speaking with Full Send Podcast, Jones delivered a response that felt more like a retirement tease than fight hype.
‘I don’t want to say that I’m retired because fighting is in my blood… but right now, I could really care less about fighting.’
‘If the itch comes back—and if it comes back—then I’ll do it with my whole heart.’
On the subject of Tom Aspinall, Jones didn’t mince words:
‘He’s just not in a position to excite me… If I whoop his ass, it’s going to be the next guy. I’ve replayed this story so many times.’
Translation? He’s not in a rush. And with a decision looming in less than two weeks, White may be forced to pivot if Jones stays noncommittal. Whether that means elevating Aspinall or creating another interim detour, the UFC’s heavyweight division can’t afford to stay frozen.
This next move will be massive—not just for Dana White, but for the future of a division that’s been stuck in neutral far too long.
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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
