Aspinall 'bored' of Jon Jones contract talks

UFC interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall is becoming increasingly frustrated as he awaits contract negotiations regarding a potential unification fight with heavyweight champion Jon Jones.

"I'm well-bored of (the Jones conversation). I've had enough," Aspinall said during an appearance on the "High Performance Podcast." "We either need to fight, or I need to move on to something else."

Asked what he could do to make the fight happen, Aspinall said, "Me, personally, I can't do anything. I just think it's down to money on his side. I will fight whenever, whenever, wherever he wants, but it's down to money I think."

Aspinall shared that he'd like to gain clarity about the possible matchup ahead of his meeting in March with the promotion's chief business officer Hunter Campbell. The interim champion also revealed that he had previously met with UFC CEO Dana White in New York for a meeting regarding the possible fight against Jones.

Aspinall, 32, recently became the promotion's longest-serving interim champion since he won the belt with a first-round knockout over Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 295 in November 2023. He successfully defended his title in a rematch against Curtis Blaydes with a first-round KO at UFC 304 in July.

Jones, considered one of the greatest fighters in UFC history, captured heavyweight gold by submitting Ciryl Gane at UFC 285 in March 2023. He hasn't fought since securing a TKO win over former champion Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 in November.

While Aspinall praised Jones' "amazing career," the interim champ said he believes the physical toll of the profession has caught up with Jones and is a factor in his desire for a lucrative payday.

"When you put him in with, I'm not trying to blow my own trumpet, but I'm literally the most dangerous guy in the UFC if you look at the stats," Aspinall said. "When you put him in with a guy of my size who has the credentials at this stage in his career, I think Jon's a smart guy, and he realizes that. So he wants compensating financially for it."

White teased that a bout between the two heavyweight titleholders was near the finish line in March. The UFC CEO insisted that the fight would happen this year during a press conference.

"I've said it many times, that's the fight we want to make this year," White said in April, according to Forbes' Trent Reinsmith.