Anik 'hopeful' for Aspinall-Jones fight in December

UFC broadcaster Jon Anik says he "thinks" and is "hopeful" the undisputed heavyweight title fight between Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall will take place in December.

Britain's Aspinall has been the interim champion for 18 months but has been passed over by Jones, who last fought in November, defending his belt against Stipe Miocic.

Aspinall, 32, has repeatedly called for a unification bout with Jones but the American has been less forthcoming, teasing fans on social media and hinting at retirement.

Last week frustrated UFC fans set up a petition which has gained more than 150,000 signatures, calling for Jones' title to be taken off him.

Anik was asked about the prospect of a unification bout while standing in for the promotion's president Dana White at Thursday's UFC 316 news conference.

"I think a fight between Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall is bigger if they are both champions," said Anik.

"I think... I'm hopeful they're going to fight in December in Las Vegas.

"I have no inside information but I don't know if Jon Jones really gives a rip if they strip him of the heavyweight championship. He's still going to fight Tom hopefully and it's going to be a bang."

Earlier this month Aspinall said it has been "difficult mentally" waiting to fight Jones.

Aspinall has not fought since defending his interim belt against Curtis Blaydes in Manchester 11 months ago.

Jones is widely considered one of, if not the best, MMA fighter of all time and has an overall record of 28 wins, one loss and one no-contest.

UFC 316, meanwhile, takes place on Saturday at the Prudential Centre in Newark, New Jersey and is headlined by the rematch for the bantamweight title between Georgia's Merab Dvalishvili and American Sean O'Malley.

The co-main event sees American Julianna Pena defend her bantamweight title against compatriot Kayla Harrison.

Elsewhere, former Bellator bantamweight champion Patchy Mix makes his UFC debut against fellow American Mario Bautista.

Mix left the PFL, who acquired Bellator in 2023, in May after venting his frustrations alongside other athletes about a lack of fights in the organisation.

He follows former Bellator featherweight and lightweight champion Patricio Pitbull, who lost on his debut to Mexico's Yair Rodriguez in April, to the UFC.