There’s a new chapter in the ongoing ‘will-he-won’t-he’ saga involving Jon Jones and his much-hyped potential fight with interim UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall.
The possible clash, dubbed by Dana White as the ‘biggest’ heavyweight title fight in UFC history, has become something of a golden goose in UFC matchmaking terms – but despite Aspinall’s repeated attempts to secure the fight, the Englishman remains on the periphery of the division, despite winning the division’s interim title all the way back in November 2023.
Aspinall’s frustration has clearly grown, as he called recently on Jones to either agree to fight him or vacate his world title.
Jones added to the intrigue this week, telling fans in a social media Q&A that he has “no idea” as to why the UFC has yet to reveal their plans to fight fans, adding that he has been very clear with his intentions to the organisation.
But a recent comment from Jones captured on video and shared online on Monday has given another clue.
In a FaceTime call with Fight Nights Global founder Kamil Gadzhiev, Jones appeared to say “I’m done, I’m done” when asked about the current state of his career.
He also stated separately during the aforementioned fan Q&A that he would have no issue in relinquishing his heavyweight crown, should the situation mandate it.
Of course, these comments cannot confirm beyond doubt Jones’ true intentions for the next stage of his career – but he has expressed on record his lack of interest in fighting Aspinall and instead accepting what he referred to as ‘legacy fights’ against the likes of former 205-pound champion Alex Pereira.
Jones has fought just twice since February of 2020, defeating Ciryl Gane to win the title that had recently been vacated by Francis Ngannou, and subsequently defending it last November against Stipe Miocic.
Aspinall, meanwhile, won the interim heavyweight title in a bout with Sergei Pavlovich in November 2023, and defended it the following summer against perennial contender Curtis Blaydes.
