Jones refusing Aspinall should get him stripped of UFC title

Michael Bisping believes that Jon Jones should face consequences for refusing to fight Tom Aspinall after UFC 309.

Jones (27-1 MMA, 21-1 UFC) is set to defend his heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic (20-4 MMA, 14-4 UFC) in the main event at UFC 309 on Saturday at Madison Square Garden in New York (pay-per-view, ESPNews/Hulu/FX, ESPN+).

If he emerges victorious against Miocic, Jones has expressed disinterest in a unification bout with interim champion Aspinall (15-3 MMA, 8-1 UFC). He prefers a title defense against light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira (12-2 MMA, 9-1 UFC) for his legacy.

Bisping stated on his YouTube channel, “The reality is Jon Jones is now the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, and when he fights Stipe Miocic, if he is victorious, then he has to face Tom Aspinall next. This is just the way the world works, OK?”

Aspinall has already defended his interim title once, defeating Curtis Blaydes by first-round TKO at UFC 304 in July. Bisping believes that Jones must fight Aspinall next or risk staining his legacy.

“If he doesn’t, this is in the words of Khabib Nurmagomedov: ‘No. 1 bullsh*t,’” Bisping said. “If he refuses to fight Tom Aspinall next, then we’ve got to start having a serious conversation as to whether or not this man should be stripped.

“Jon is the undisputed champion of the world. Tom is the interim champion. This is how it works: They face one another. He’s calling out Alex Pereira for a legacy fight. … I’m not saying this as a Jon Jones hater, but if this was boxing, Jon Jones will be stripped. That’s a fact.”

Bisping supports the idea of Jones fighting Pereira eventually, but only after facing Aspinall first.

“Alex Pereira is incredible. I’m a huge fan,” Bisping said. “Take my money right now. I would love to see them fight. But that’s only if Jon Jones can get through Tom Aspinall. Simple as that. There is no discussions for any other fight to happen.”