Jon Jones believes Tom Aspinall will come up short in his next UFC heavyweight title defence.
Aspinall is expected to put his belt on the line in a rematch with Ciryl Gane by the end of 2026, having contested a dramatic no-contest against the Frenchman at UFC 321 last October.
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Gane has since scored a career-high victory over two-weight champion Alex Pereira to win the interim heavyweight crown at UFC White House.
Aspinall broke the UFC record as the longest-reigning interim champion in promotional history before he was upgraded to undisputed king when UFC legend Jones dramatically retired.
The Englishman had been embroiled in back-and-forth conversations with UFC CEO Dana White about fighting ‘Bones’ beforehand, but the mega-fight never materialised.
Both parties have now moved on, with Aspinall set to face Gane for the second time in the near future.
Gane showed Aspinall adversity like never before when the pair collided at UFC 321, bloodying up the champion’s nose before the fight was abruptly stopped.
And Jones, who defeated Gane in 2023 after more than three years out of the sport, believes ‘Bon Gamin’ will have the same effect when he meets Aspinall again.
Jones predicts Aspinall vs Gane 2
“I think Gane’s going to win,” Jones told the Ring Magazine.
“When you become the champion and beat a man like Alex Pereira, it has to do something for your confidence.
“And even with Gane’s first fight with Tom Aspinall, Tom was looking pretty invincible until Ciryl Gane.
“Most people feel like Gane was winning that fight, and so I feel like Gane’s confidence has to be at an all-time high.”
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Jones explained that Gane told him he would be back when they met backstage after he submitted him to win the heavyweight title in 2023.
That gives the American confidence, especially after the win over Pereira, that Gane can go out and defeat Aspinall in their rematch.
“He said it like he meant it and that taught me a lot about his character back then,” Jones recalled.
“He seemed more destined and determined than ever, to the point where it was slightly intimidating.
“Because I was like, ‘Dude, I just choked you out minutes ago and you’re looking like me like you’re ready for round two.'”
Only time will tell if Jones and Gane do get to run it back.
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There’s no doubt Jones, who has said ‘never say never’ to a UFC return, would be tempted to return no matter who is victorious in Aspinall’s expected rematch with Gane.
After all, Jones was gunning for a place at the UFC’s White House card in June, going so far as to call for his release from the promotion in a foul-mouthed tirade against his boss White when he was rejected.
However, he has found comfort in guiding heavyweight prospect Gable Steveson, who scored a first-round knockout on his UFC debut this past weekend, to a pedestal he once found himself on.
Is Jones making a UFC return?
Jones said you ‘can’t hold grudges’ in the fight game when speaking about his current relationship with White, leaving the door wide open to a potential return.
“As long as I’m in the drug testing pool, the UFC are contractually obligated to offer me a few fights a year,” Jones explained.
“I haven’t heard anything from them in a while, but I just take it as it comes. I take it one day at a time.
UFC Schedule
There are still several blockbuster shows and exciting contests for fight fans to look forward to in 2026, and you can find the full list of all confirmed events and official bouts as part of talkSPORT.com’s UFC schedule.
The UFC, on average, puts on 13 to 14 premium events in a calendar year, with up to 30 smaller ‘Fight Night’ cards allowing prospects and less experienced fighters to showcase their talents.
On January 1, 2026, Dana White’s promotion signed a seven-year broadcast deal with CBS and Paramount+ for exclusive rights in the US, meaning the UFC has put on shows like never before this year.
With the historic first event in the new Paramount era, UFC 324, delivering huge success, and a one-of-a-kind fight card at the White House in June opening up the UFC to a new audience, the promotion remains a premium global sports brand, and fans are eager to keep track of results and upcoming fights.
“Right now, my main focus is just being a good dad, being a good family man, staying on top of these endorsements, and staying on top of making sure Gable is improving.
“That’s just where life’s at right now. When I get offered a fight, that’s gonna be great and we’ll see how I feel when that time comes.
“But things are great, it was good to see Dana the other day [at UFC 329].
“We laughed, we took a photo together, being backstage with all the other UFC fighters is always amazing, the guys are always so respectful to me.”
