Jon Jones engaged in some playful banter regarding Tom Aspinall on social media recently, though it doesn`t appear to bring a potential fight between the two any closer.
Earlier this week, Aspinall, who holds the interim UFC heavyweight championship and is ranked No. 1 globally by MMA Fighting, suggested that the official champion, Jon Jones, had retired. Aspinall then declared himself the undisputed champion, signaling a move away from pursuing a fight with Jones. Jones responded extensively on Twitter, answering fan questions and sharing his views on Aspinall`s career achievements.
In response to a fan who referred to Aspinall as the champion, Jones commented:
“That’s awesome, you guys could use [a heavyweight champion].”
Speaking about Aspinall, Jones added:
“Unfortunately, my boy is not as special as his fan base thinks he is right now. I’ve seen Tom get [finished] twice now by two different people. Time will show. Here today gone tomorrow.”
When asked by a fan how he would defeat Aspinall, Jones asserted that he already had, simply “by not even giving him the chance” to fight him.
After a break of over three years and relinquishing the light heavyweight title, Jones made his heavyweight debut in March 2023. He quickly secured the vacant title by submitting Ciryl Gane at UFC 285. Injuries kept Jones sidelined for nearly two more years, but he returned at UFC 309 last November, defeating Stipe Miocic via knockout in the third round.
Aspinall has held the interim title for the longest duration in UFC history, having knocked out Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 295 in November 2023. The rising British star successfully defended his belt by stopping Curtis Blaydes in just 60 seconds at UFC 304.
Jones continued his tweets regarding Aspinall and his own future fighting plans. Unless he`s deliberately creating speculation, it seems Jones is not in a hurry to return to competition, whether against Aspinall or any other opponent.
Jones also stated that he harbors no ill will towards Aspinall and offered the interim champion some advice.
He elaborated:
“No, honestly, I wish Tommy no ill will. He is no threat to me whatsoever, he should start with just trying to be the best heavyweight of all time, that goal would be plenty. My career is on a completely different planet if we’re being honest. I really don’t hate on other fighters, I’m usually just responding to their envy.”
