Tom Aspinall laments Jon Jones 'playing games again' after American UFC star talked up clash with Alex Pereira rather than facing Brit in huge heavyweight showdown

Tom Aspinall has accused Jon Jones of 'playing games again' as a potential fight between the pair continues to fade away. 

Aspinall became the third British UFC champion after knocking out Sergei Pavlovich in the first round of their bout at Madison Square Garden last November. 

The 31-year-old has been campaigning to unify the heavyweight titles since that win, with Jones still recovering from a torn pectoral muscle that forced him to call off his bout with Stipe Miocic in October. 

The fight looks set to get rescheduled in the coming weeks and Jones recently revealed he would rather face light-heavyweight champion Alex Pereira than Aspinall afterwards. 

Aspinall has understandably been left frustrated as he called on the American to sign the contract, which he admitted is unlikely. 

'If we can get old mate Jon to ever sign a contract with my name on the other side of the contract, I'll talk about him for hours on this show,' Aspinall said. 

'Hours. But right now, the guy is playing games again. Trying to convince the public what he wants and what he doesn't want. Which he does really, really well. 

As I said, we can chat about Jon, if and when he ever signs a contract with my name on the other side of it. Because right now, let's be honest, it's not looking very likely.' 

Jones revealed his plans once he fights Stipe, claiming his will give Pereira the chance to 'avenge' other Brazilian champions he previously defeated. 

'That fight after Stipe maybe the next biggest move I could possibly make,' he wrote on X. 'This killer has already defeated so many champions, and is already considered a legend to millions around the world.

'The most massive fight the UFC could make. Give Alex a chance to avenge all those great Brazilian champions I've defeated.'

Meanwhile, Aspinall looks set to compete at UFC 304 on July 27 in Manchester, though he still does not have an opponent scheduled.  

'The last I knew, it was going to get announced this weekend [at UFC 301], and obviously that's been and gone now,' Aspinall said when asked about UFC 304.

'Right now, I have no idea what's going on. I wish I could come on the show, I wish I could announce on social media, I wish I could start dragging traffic that way, but right now I have no idea. 

'I'm just getting myself prepared for that date. As far as opponents and stuff like that, I don't know what's going on right now.'

Aspinall holds 14-3 record and has yet to see a decision in his career. Of his 14 victories, 10 have come by way of knockout.