Jon Jones Accuses UFC of Failing to Share His Plans with Fans Amid Tom Aspinall Stalemate
The ongoing saga surrounding Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall’s potential bout has taken a new turn, with Jones accusing the UFC of not sharing his plans with fans. The American mixed martial artist, who currently holds the regular heavyweight title, has expressed his frustration with the situation, which has left both fighters and belts in limbo.
According to a report by The Independent, Jones has been engaging with fans on social media, responding to comments and messages about his potential fight against Aspinall. One X/Twitter user wrote to Jones on Sunday, "enjoying your last days as champ before being stripped [of your title] i see eh jon?", to which Jones replied: "Stripped? Lol do I come across as the type of person who cares about things like that ?" (The Independent, 2024).
The tension between Jones and the UFC began when Aspinall won the interim heavyweight title in November 2023 after Jones sustained an injury and could not defend the regular belt against Stipe Miocic. Twelve months later, Jones returned and retained his title against Miocic, but only after Aspinall retained the interim version in July. Despite the natural progression of a unification bout between the two, Jones has expressed his reluctance to face the 32-year-old Briton.
In a recent exchange with fans, Jones hit back at a user who suggested he would vacate the belt, saying: "Yall barkin up the wrong tree, I told the Ufc my plans a long time ago. I have no clue why they haven’t shared them with you guys yet." When asked about his plans, Jones responded: "To continue to monetize on this amazing brand that I’ve created." Another fan pressed him, "So are you fighting again or not? You are the current champion of the division," with Jones replying: "Not a bad idea" (The Independent, 2024).
The situation has sparked debate among fans, with some urging Jones to "shut the f*** up and fight". However, Jones has capitalised on the attention, stating: "This, this attitude, right here is making me a very wealthy man. This desperation is incredibly lucrative, so thank you. Keep it coming."
As reported by The Independent, with the UFC having announced main events for its pay-per-views in June, July and August, as well as a Mexican-centric event in September, Jones vs Aspinall is unlikely to happen before October. While some fans view Jones as the greatest mixed martial artist of all time, his career has been marred by numerous failed drug tests and run-ins with the law. Still, the American is effectively unbeaten, with his sole loss having come via DQ in 2009.
Meanwhile, Aspinall is 15-3 in MMA and 8-1 in the UFC. In the promotion, his only defeat occurred due to injury, while all of his career finishes have come via stoppage. Aspinall holds the record for the shortest fight time of an athlete with five or more bouts in the UFC; all of his wins in the promotion have come in the first two rounds – seven in round one, two in the first minute.
Aspinall’s decision to defend the interim belt was a rarity in the UFC, as the Wigan heavyweight aimed to stay active during Jones’s absence. In that fight, Aspinall stopped Curtis Blaydes in 60 seconds, avenging his injury-induced loss to the American in 2022.
UFC president Dana White has promised to announce the match-up soon, but Jones’s recent comments suggest that the situation remains uncertain. As reported by The Independent, it remains to be seen how this stalemate will be resolved, with fans eagerly awaiting news of the potential bout.
The Independent (The Independent, 2024) has been a reliable source for updates on this developing story. For more information, visit The Independent website.
References:
The Independent. (2024). Jon Jones has accused the UFC of failing to “share” his plans with fans, as they continue to mock him over his apparent decision not to fight Tom Aspinall. Retrieved from https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/ufc/jon-jones-tom-aspinall-date-latest-news-twitter-b2753582.html
