Tom Aspinall took it to Jon Jones on Monday, and now the UFC heavyweight champion and all-time great has issued his response.
In a series of posts on X, Jones (27-1 MMA, 21-1 UFC) clarified his stance towards Aspinall (15-3 MMA, 8-1 UFC), who currently holds the interim heavyweight title, and fired back at the Englishman’s comments suggesting that Jones was avoiding fighting him.
“I guess there was a video that resurfaced recently of me saying that after Stipe, Francis was the only fight I was interested in,” Jones wrote on X on Tuesday. “That video was recorded well over a year ago. That was recorded before I got injured, before there was an intern champion crowned. I had already voiced that I wasn’t interested in anymore randoms.
“Now, magically, I’m ducking a fight that’s never been negotiated or discussed at any table that matters. Lol I’m sticking to my plans, Jon Jones jumps for no one. How many belts does one need? How many times do I have to break my own record?
There’s been plenty of controversy about the handling of the UFC’s heavyweight division during the past year.
Jones, who won the UFC heavyweight title vacated by Francis Ngannou in March 2023, has yet to defend it. He was supposed to return last November against Stipe Miocic, but he suffered an injury and has been out ever since. Meanwhile, Aspinall won the UFC interim title against Sergei Pavlovich and defended it in July against Curtis Blaydes.
Jones is not expected to unify the belts with Aspinall in his return to competition, as the UFC has been set on keeping the matchup against Miocic, which is supposed to go down in November.
“There are fighters literally all over the world that think in the back of their mind I can beat Jon Jones,” Jones wrote. “There will be no statues of you (Tom). Go out and win more, make your name greater, that is the only way you do it.
“I’m 37 years old now, I’ve kicked everyone’s ass. My job is to finish strong and make an amazing movie. 😘 go join Tom Brady, Floyd Mayweather, and all the other retired bad asses.”
I guess there was a video that resurfaced recently of me saying that after Stipe, Francis was the only fight I was interested in. That video was recorded well over a year ago. That was recorded before I got injured, before there was an intern champion crowned. I had already…
— BONY (@JonnyBones) August 20, 2024
There are fighters literally all over the world that think in the back of their mind I can beat Jon Jones. There will be no statues of you. Go out and win more, make your name greater, that is the only way you do it.
— BONY (@JonnyBones) August 20, 2024
I’m 37 years old now, I’ve kicked everyone’s ass. My job is to finish strong and make an amazing movie. 😘 go join Tom Brady, Floyd Mayweather, and all the other retired bad asses.
— BONY (@JonnyBones) August 20, 2024
