Jon Jones vs Stipe Miocic NOT for undisputed title at UFC 309, it’s ‘two old farts’ that ‘nobody gives a s—t about’

Jesse Holland is among the longest-tenured media professionals in the combat sports news space, covering MMA, professional wrestling and boxing on a full-time basis since early 2004.

No, Tom Aspinall will not “shut up.”

The interim heavyweight champion has a problem with the promotion calling Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic a bout for the undisputed title, because you can’t have two fighters running around calling themselves champion without a modicum of dispute.

“For me, this is far from an undisputed title fight — this is the most disputed title you can possibly get,” Aspinall said on his YouTube channel. “Because there’s two champions, and one of the champions, Jon Jones, is avoiding the other champion: me. And he chose to fight 42-year-old Stipe, who’s had a fantastic career; both guys have had a fantastic career, great legacy. But let’s be honest: These are two old farts fighting each other for a title and occupying it, which is a bit weird. Nobody that I can see gives a sh*t about this fight.”

UFC CEO Dana White gives a sh*t.

“This ducking and diving is something that I don’t really have respect for,” Aspinall said. “And, of course, it’s been pretty interesting all the stuff that Jon Jones has been saying to the media this week, and I’m sure there’s more to come. So, Jon said I need to fight more champions, but this is the problem I’ve got: Jon is the champion, and he won’t fight me. He says he won’t fight me because it’s too much of a gamble. Jon, if you’re not into gambling your legacy, that to me sounds like you’re scared of losing against me.”

Or maybe he just wants to add this silver belt to his trophy case.

Aspinall captured the interim title by laying waste to Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 295 around this time last year, a hastily assembled title fight that helped rescue the “Big Apple” fight card when Jones suffered an injury and was forced to withdraw from his initial Miocic bout.

Aspinall defended the substitute strap against Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304.

The promotion eventually rebooked Jones vs. Miocic for the UFC 309 pay-per-view (PPV) headliner, taking place this Sat. night (Nov. 16, 2024) inside Madison Square Garden in New York City. The winner will likely face Aspinall at some point in 2025.

Or not.

LIVE! Watch UFC 309 PPV On ESPN+ Here!

LEGACY ON THE LINE! Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) returns to “The Big Apple” in New York, N.Y., on Sat., Nov. 16, 2024, with the long-awaited, legacy-defining Heavyweight showdown between reigning division champion, Jon Jones, looking to ride off into the sunset as the bonafide G.O.A.T. at the expense of former kingpin, Stipe Miocic. In UFC 309’s pay-per-view (PPV) co-headliner from inside Madison Square Garden, former Lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira, will run it back with Michael Chandler, who has been sitting on the sidelines unsuccessfully waiting for Conor McGregor’s ill-fated comeback. UFC 309 will also feature the exciting returns of super prospects Mauricio Ruffy and Bo Nickal (in separate fights) and so much more! UFC 309’s start time is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET (Prelims card) and 10 p.m. ET (PPV main card).

Don’t miss a single second of EPIC face-punching action!

• STREAM UFC 309

MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC 309 fight card right here, starting with the early ESPN+ “Prelims” matches online, which are scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. ET (simulcast on ESPNews at 8 p.m. ET), before the pay-per-view (PPV) main card start time at 10 p.m. ET (also on ESPN+).

To check out the latest and greatest UFC 309: “Jones vs. Miocic” news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archive right here. For the updated and finalized UFC 309 fight card and PPV lineup click here.