Sorry Tom Aspinall! ‘UFC to Do Everything to Preserve’ Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic

The UFC Heavyweight division couldn't be more complicated.

One year into Jon Jones' championship reign and we have yet to see another undisputed title fight at the weight class. Jones was set to meet Stipe Miocic in his first defense at UFC 295, but 'Bones' withdrew due to an injury.

The UFC kept things moving with Tom Aspinall meeting fellow top contender Sergei Pavlovich for an interim title fight in the meantime. England's Aspinall only needed a round to finish the Russian before calling for a title unification bout with Jones.

Of course, Jones has other plans, wanting to fight divisional 'GOAT' Stipe Miocic instead. 

At 36 years old, Jones' direction with his career has been met with much backlash for seemingly avoiding a fight with interim titleholder Aspinall. However, UFC Heavyweight contender Curtis Blaydes isn't one to complain about Jones waiting to cash a check against Miocic. 

“That’s just the nature of the beast. It’s a business," Blaydes told MMA Fighting. "We get it. Jon Jones vs. Stipe right now, without either of them having another potential [loss], is the biggest heavyweight fight of the century. It really is.

"The UFC’s going to do everything to preserve that. I get it. That’s how the business grows. It’s good for the UFC overall. The more money they make, the more money everybody makes.

Blaydes says Aspinall being left out of the undisputed mix isn't personal, it's just business, not to mention great box-office numbers for the UFC.

“I think Aspinall understands, that’s why he stopped asking. He understands this is just business. It’s not that they don’t believe he’s a good matchup for Jon. It’s that he’s not going to get as many pay-per-view buys as Stipe. That’s just what it is. I get it. I feel for him.”

“Jon’s not scared of nobody,” Blaydes added, regarding the ongoing narrative that Jones is avoiding Aspinall at all costs. “He’s not scared of Aspinall. He’s going after Stipe. Stipe is the scariest heavyweight of the past 15 odd years. He’s going after him. I don’t think he’s scared or nothing.

"It’s about money. I can’t blame him, especially if this is going to be his last one. Get the bag and then bounce.”

The UFC Heavyweight Champion is adamant his next title defense is going to be Stipe Miocic but a title unification bout with the streaking Tom Aspinall is 'definitely not off the table', Jones said in a recent interview with Submission Radio, continuing on:

"Right now, I think it's definitely going to be Stipe. Stipe and I have both been in the sport for a long time. I don't think Stipe is getting the respect that he deserves. Me and Stipe have unfinished business and I think that's the only fair thing to do. I'm excited for Tom and his future."

Is Jon Jones in Tom Aspinall's future? Or will the legendary 'Bones' ride off into the sunset after a payday against arguably the greatest heavyweight of all time?