News Per Dana White: Tom Aspinall will be the backup for Jones vs Miocic

[Bobby Boulders]

If Stipe pulls out, 309 will be the second number card that just never happens.

 

[AmonTobin]

Will Jones fight Tom if Stipe pull outs?

 

[Bret 'The Hitman' Hart]

"Our interim champ will be the backup, in case one of our geriatric fighters gets injured"
Makes sense


We're all sure Jon will fight Aspinall if grandpa Stipe is injured and can't fight. The guy refused to fight... Chael Sonnen on short notice


The HW division was already in bad shape, and uncle Dana made it into a total farce

 

[don't ask]

Will Jones fight Tom if Stipe pull outs?

Jones absolutely will not fight if Stipe pulls out, even if the replacement was current Chael.

 

[Mammothman]

Inb4 JON JONES IS A FUCKING SPORT KILLER

 

[don't ask]

Best case scenario is Jones gets injured again, Dana finally strips him and makes Aspinall v Stipe. Aspinall beats Stipe. Then Jones will have to decide whether to retire or face Tom and the division can move on.

While a legend like Arlovski is waiting in the wings? Are you crazy? Sure, he's not as removed from competition as Stipe was, but I don't think Jones is the coward you all seem to think he is.

 

[TheMadHatter]

Does this mean that Jones/Stipe are contractually obligated to fight Tom in case of an injury?

 

[Uber_Noober]

 

[blaseblase]

While a legend like Arlovski is waiting in the wings? Are you crazy? Sure, he's not as removed from competition as Stipe was, but I don't think Jones is the coward you all seem to think he is.

He's not a coward, but he is afraid of fighting Aspinall because he wants to retire undefeated. He's not taking that fight.

 

[Strijfy]

Will Jones fight Tom if Stipe pull outs?

no, he wont

 

[Khaosan]

So if Stipe gets injured it'll be Tom vs TBD

 

[nonoob]

If Stipe pulls out, 309 will be the second number card that just never happens.

If Stipe gets hurt and pulls out, Pico would get stripped if he refused to fight Tom.

 

[Pharenheit]

lol the fight is off if Stipe pulls out. Aspinall being “backup” is just damage control after everybody destroyed jones for this matchup

 

[Spam On Rye]

This the first time the champion is a back-up?

 

[Striker Fox]

If Stipe pulls out, 309 will be the second number card that just never happens.

Unless they man up and strip Jones after he refuses Aspinall, then make Aspinall vs Jalton/Gane/Volkov for the undisputed title.

Would be pretty comical if they chose to cancel an entire event rather than strip Jones

 

[Lord Pyjamas]

Now we just have to poision jones to get the fight we really want!

 

[Bobby Boulders]

If Stipe gets hurt and pulls out, Pico would get stripped if he refused to fight Tom.

Somehow, I doubt it. Dana won't hurt his boyfriend's feelings like that

 

[Senzo Tanaka]

Knowing our luck, Jones will be the one injured and Stipe will refuse to fight Tom. Stipe already made it clear he only wants to fight Jones.

 

[TrueBias]

Will Jones fight Tom if Stipe pull outs?

Yeah we already knew this.

I'm hoping stipe gets the sniffles and puts GOAT jon in a hot seat.

 

[Lepo Lepo]

Neither of these guys are ever fighting Tom. Move on.