UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones has asserted that the promotion is completely informed about his future intentions, pushing back against ongoing questions surrounding a potential clash with interim champion Tom Aspinall.
A major heavyweight title unification fight between Jones and Aspinall has been anticipated since November of last year.
However, this highly awaited bout has yet to take place, despite reports that the UFC agreed to meet Jones` financial demands, described by the fighter as “F**K YOU MONEY.”
MMA fans have grown impatient with Jones, accusing him of “ducking” the British fighter Aspinall, who finds himself in a state of limbo.
Jones, however, has fired back at his critics, claiming he already informed Dana White and the rest of the UFC management about his plans some time ago.
Responding to a fan`s post on X suggesting he might be stripped of his belt, Jones wrote:
Stripped? Lol, do I come across as the type of person who cares about things like that?
The 37-year-old former pound-for-pound king added:
Y`all 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.
Jones` firm statement that the UFC is aware of his plans came just three days after UFC CEO and President White guaranteed he would return to the octagon this year.
White told Adam Glyn: “Jon Jones will be fighting in 2025. 100 per cent.”
UFC Hall of Famer Jones has appeared annoyed by claims he is avoiding Aspinall, who hails from Wigan and is now the longest-reigning interim champion in UFC history.
He recently addressed the issue on Instagram Live, stating:
I’ve got people in the chat calling me a duck. Meanwhile, I`m living my absolute best life. I don’t know if it’s considered ducking when you’re living good. I don’t think it works like that.
Jones also teased UFC fans with a lighthearted comment about his inactivity.
Commenting on an Instagram post about a training seminar he was part of in Thailand, he simply wrote: “Everything but fighting.”
Jones has not competed in the octagon since his impressive spinning back-kick victory over Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 last November.
Aspinall, meanwhile, has been sidelined since his dominant win against Curtis Blaydes in their rematch at UFC 304 last July.
