By FCF Staff

Jon Jones has repeatedly said that UFC 309 will likely be the last time he fights. But, if the decorated fighter were to compete again, “Bones” would opt for a showdown with Alex Pereira over Tom Aspinall.

Since Aspinall is the UFC’s interim heavyweight champ, for sometime now, there’s been widespread calls for a bout between him and the current champ, Jones. The latter, however, is scheduled to fight Stipe Miocic on November 16th. As noted, the former light-heavyweight champ has said the fight will likely be his last.

Despite that, Jones continues to field calls for him to fight Aspinall. While talking with Kevin Iole recently, however, Jones explained why a bout with “Poatan” intrigues him and not a fight with the interim champ (quotes via MMA Fighting.com).

“If there were to be a fight of a guy that’s still on our UFC roster that would be not only financially worth it but legacy worth it, it would be Alex Pereira,” Jones said. “Alex Pereira and I, we’re both 37 years old. Right now I weigh about 235 [pounds]. I’m an incredibly light heavyweight. I think Pereira walks around at 240.

“I think that fight would go much farther on my legacy than a young man who’s cool today and maybe gone tomorrow.”

The polarizing fighter also scrutinized Aspinall’s UFC resume, while discussing the possibility of fighting post UFC 309.

“…I feel like Tom Aspinall is, I don’t want to say nobody, but he just hasn’t proven anything. He hasn’t done anything. I understand that he won his belt against Sergei [Pavlovich]. Sergei just got slaughtered by [Alexander Volkov]. I’m not here to gamble someone else making a name off of me.”

Aspinall, who has continued to call for a fight with Jones, is coming off a quick stoppage win over Curtis Blaydes in July.

UFC 309 will take place at Madison Square Garden in New York City.