‘Jon Jones should battle Tom Aspinall’ as Dana White provides UFC verdict with Donald Trump watching

Dana White is living his American dream right now – business is booming and good pal Donald Trump will soon have his feet back under the desk in the Oval Office.

The most powerful man in MMA will soon have the ear of the most powerful leader on the planet, with White part of Trump’s inner circle, declaring during his presidential victory party: “Couldn’t stop him, he keeps going forward, he doesn’t quit. He’s the most resilient, hard-working man I’ve ever met in my life. This is karma.”

Cheerleading aside, White knows Trump, who is expected to be octagon-side at UFC 309 this weekend in New York, is likely to help the company maintain their vice-like grip on the sport. Future legal judgements, having recently settled an anti-trust lawsuit for $375m with former fighters who felt their wages had been suppressed, could be more favourable, while US visa issues for certain fighters, most notably Chechen star Khamzat Chimaev, could be a thing of the past.

More States could also turn the other cheek and sanction White’s Power Slap league, while ‘Fight Night: White House’ is not entirely out of the question. However, a heavyweight-sized headache could be looming for White, depending on the outcome and fallout of the main event at Madison Square Garden.

Jon Jones will finally defend his title against two-time former heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic at UFC 309, after the bout was postponed a year due to ‘Bones’ suffering a muscle tear. Jones, 37, the dominant former light-heavyweight king, has hinted at retirement, seemingly unwilling to face Wigan’s Tom Aspinall, the interim champion who has been tearing through the division.

If Jones fails to face Aspinall that would leave an asterisk next to both men’s careers, with the Brit undoubtedly deserving of such a high-profile bout and the payday it would bring. Despite White fanning the flames for a red-hot unification bout, his hopes could be extinguished by Ohio firefighter Miocic.

The 42-year-old, who last fought in 2021, is a big underdog with the bookies, but told the UFC: “Jon has definitely had a lot of success. Well, just fights at 205lbs. He’s never seen anything like me, but he will find out real quick once the bell rings.”

But a victory for Miocic, who has a win over Francis Ngannou on his record, would not only severely dent Jones’ claims of being MMA’s GOAT, it would likely deny Aspinall his crowning moment, with other viable contenders few and far between.

While there have been bigger shocks than a Miocic win – just ask two-termer, and convicted felon, Trump – White will be hoping for a Jones victory and an Aspinall callout, otherwise it will be tough to Make Heavyweight Great Again.

UP NEXT: UFC 309, Sunday, 3am. Jones v Miocic headlines, while lightweights Charles Oliveira and Michael Chandler provide chief support.

MONEY MATCH: Scottish middleweight Paul Craig (11/2) is a big price to test the potential of the much-heralded Bo Nickal.

FINAL SAY: “Based on his resume today, fighting and beating him would change nothing about my legacy. I would literally be in the same position I am now. The GOAT.” Jones again dismisses a fight with Aspinall.