- Jon Jones is currently recovering from a pectoral tendon tear
- But he revealed that UFC called to ask if he could headline the UFC 300 card
- Jones turned them down and also said he isn’t turning down the fight with Tom Aspinall
Jon Jones has revealed he was offered the chance to headline UFC 300 but turned it down.
The UFC has yet to announce the main event for the historic card on April 17 and despite ‘Bones’ recovering from a torn pectoral tendon, he was asked if he would take the top spot.
The American explained to Submission Radio: ‘I got a call from (UFC Chief Business Officer) Hunter Campbell, one of the UFC’s lead lawyers, he said, ‘Jon, I know it’s only nine weeks away, but if there’s an opportunity is If you’re up for it, it would be great news for the community to have you come back and headline one of the biggest events ever,” Jones said.
“And as honored as I am for this opportunity, I just don’t think I’ll be ready for it. I just don’t.
“So I’m getting older and I only have a few events left, and I want to give those events my all and make sure I come back 100 percent.”
Jon Jones is out injured with a torn pectoral tendon, but was offered a UFC 300 spot
Tom Aspinall (right) knocked out Sergei Pavlovich to become interim heavyweight champion
Interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall has pushed hard for the Jones fight, but there are concerns the veteran will retire after his postponed meeting with Miocic.
By all accounts, Jones appears to be recovering well and even demonstrated perfect rugby tackling during a visit to NRL side the Bulldogs in Australia last week.
But Jones says a lot will depend on how he fares in that fight, opening the door and giving Aspinall some hope.
He continued, “I’m really going to base my decision on how I compete against Stipe and how I recover from this injury.
“I could blow Stipe out of the water, but it could also be an absolute war. And I feel like I have to take one step at a time before I see what I’m going to do next.
‘But the Tom fight is certainly not off the table. Mainly because I feel out of here. I just feel totally reinvigorated and re-energized just being around all these fans.
“So I can’t just walk away. So the ball is rolling in a very positive direction so I can continue my career.”
Jones added that there will always be another contender to overcome, but he doesn’t blame Aspinall for wanting to fight in the meantime instead of waiting for him.
40-year-old Stipe Miocic hasn’t fought since his March 2021, but is next for Jones
“Stipe and I have both been around the sport for a long time,” Jones said. “I don’t think Stipe gets the respect he deserves. Stipe and I have unfinished business, and I think it’s the only fair thing to do. I’m excited about Tom and his future.”
‘A lot of people don’t recognize that, that there will always be a great contender.
“The UFC’s job is to build the next big thing. And my job is to realize that when you are enough and you have done enough, you have provided for your family, you have created life for your people.
‘So I do not know. I really don’t know what will be next. I just take it one thing at a time. That’s my respect for Stipe, I just want to take it one step at a time and respect him for the challenge he’s going to take on.”
“As impressive as Tom is, he’s not important enough to dictate my schedules and my decisions,” Jones said. “That’s fair enough, isn’t it?”
He added: “If I were him I’d go after it, I’d go after it.
“If you really believe you are the best in the world, go after it. Get out there and compete. And the true fans will consider your victories as champions. But don’t let me slow you down. Go out and make your money.”