'My value doesn't lie in belts': Jon Jones sends bizarre retirement warning to UFC boss Dana White
UFC boss Dana White could be on a collision course with his favourite fighter.
In the wake of UFC 309, heavyweight champion Jon Jones has again reiterated his desire to skip a fight with interim title-holder Tom Aspinall.
The 37-year-old knocked out and retired the legendary Stipe Miocic in New York on Sunday afternoon (AEDT) to further cement his status as the sport's all-time greatest.
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Many believe that Aspinall, who has run through the division in recent years, should be next in line for Jones in what could be the biggest heavyweight fight in history.
But according to the champ, his future lies with a super-fight against Alex Pereira.
Jon Jones and Alex Pereira is a fight UFC fans want to see. Getty
"I'm not really worried about the Tom fight," Jones said at the press conference.
"I'm really worried about the Pereira fight. That's what I want to do. I think if the UFC wants to have me back, then I think that's the fight they'll make.
"I've been really clear about my intentions. That's what I want. I'll retire the heavyweight belt if I have to. Give the guy what he wants at the end of the day.
"I want to take what I find to be super fights. I don't want to fight dangerous up-and-comers anymore. I want to fight dangerous established champions.
"Tom can have the heavyweight championship, I don't really care about it. My value doesn't lie in belts anymore. I've created something bigger. I want Pereira."
Historically speaking, the interim champion is automatically given a shot at the undisputed champion, but Jones seems to think the rules don't apply to him given his status in the company and overall legacy in mixed martial arts.
Pereira (12-2) has become one of the UFC's biggest stars over the past three years, winning championships in two separate weight classes and knocking out rivals for fun.
And while Jones has previously held the light-heavyweight strap, the company's president and match-maker is adamant the GOAT will not get his wish.
"There's no f-----g way I make the Pereira fight," White told media.
Dana White has made his intentions clear. Getty
"Jon's too big ... [he is a] great wrestler. Did you see how he took Stipe down in that first round? I like Alex Pereira. It just doesn't make sense to make that fight.
"If they both want it bad enough and they're both f-----g hounding me or something, maybe I would do it, but it's just Alex Pereira is killing it. Look at his age and what he's doing right now, what's the reason to go up and fight a guy that's so much bigger?
"I want Pereira to stay where he is and do what he does and run the street.
"But again if they go crazy on me and they want to do, what am I going to do? They're grown ass men and I'm sure the fans want to see it."
White's comments show a clear disconnect between the decision-makers within the promotion and their biggest star, who improved his career record to 28-1-1 on the weekend in his first defence of the heavyweight strap.
With a dominant presence in Aspinall waiting in the wings, Jones claimed he would demand "f--- you money" in order to take on the English sensation in 2025.
Tom Aspinall has become a beloved figure within the MMA world. Getty
"Well when Jon Jones was doing his speech, I was looking directly at the UFC brass, Dana and Hunter [Campbell]," Aspinall said on the UFC 309 post-fight show.
"Both of them turned to me at the same time and pointed at me and winked. At the same time. So to me, that says there's something big in the pipeline.
"This is the biggest fight in the UFC. This is massive. This is potentially one of the biggest fights in MMA right now. If that doesn't interest Jon Jones, then I don't know what else we can do. Everybody knows that this is the fight to make.
"This is the fight that the people want. This is the fight the UFC wants. This is the fight that the fans want. This is the fight that has to happen now."
