Heavyweight Title ‘Absolutely’ Getting Unified Next

Fans rejoice! The UFC is committing to unifying the heavyweight titles next, no matter what Jon Jones may say about the situation.

UFC interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall takes on Curtis Blaydes in the co-main event of UFC 304 in Manchester, England on Saturday night. The stakes are already high with the interim belt on the line, but during the press conference for the event, UFC CEO Dana White made them even bigger.

When asked if the winner of Aspinall vs. Blaydes would get a shot at the winner of November’s expected heavyweight title fight between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic, White didn’t mince words.

“Absolutely,” he said.

That’s big news for British MMA fans, who have not been impressed with injured champion Jon Jones’ long-held refusal to face Aspinall. “Bones” is only interested in fighting Miocic, and then … retirement? A superfight with Alex Pereira? Jon has options, but Tommy A. has never been one in his mind.

Retirement is a big possibility. It’s been Jones’ well-shared plan for a while, but recently he’s wavered a bit on it. White can’t do much if the G.O.A.T. decides to do that, but he can keep adding money to a pile to convince him.

At the very least, it’s good to know the UFC considers the unification of its two current heavyweight belts a top priority. Now we can enjoy Saturday’s co-main a little more knowing sanity will resume at the top of the big boy division, one way or another.