UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones is not about to let interim champ Tom Aspinall tell him what to do with his title.
Jones (27-1) had been scheduled to face Stipe Miocic in a massive title fight at UFC 295. A torn pectoral muscle scrapped that bout and an interim title fight replaced the fight.
Tom Aspinall and Sergei Pavlovich fought for the interim belt with Aspinall emerging the victor in a stunning first round KO win. Shortly after the win Aspinall called for Jones to be stripped of his title due to the nature of the injury and the length of time recovery would take.
Jones took to X on Monday to respond to Aspinall’s call for him to be stripped of the heavyweight title.
I’ve faced the absolute toughest competition this world had to offer for 15 years now. During camp for a title defense I sustained a major injury that required surgery for the first time in my career. Now I have newcomers requesting I get my championship stripped. Zero wins over…
— BONY (@JonnyBones) December 4, 2023
“I’ve faced the absolute toughest competition this world had to offer for 15 years now. During camp for a title defense I sustained a major injury that required surgery for the first time in my career.
Now I have newcomers requesting I get my championships stripped. Zero wins over zero legends, zero title defenses and already thinking you can call the shots to Dana (White), that’s hilarious.
In my 15 year career I have seen so many guys who are supposed to be the next big thing.
There’s ever only been one Jon Jones, never forget that.”
Aspinall responded with a bit of a tongue-in-cheek tweet.
You’re right. Sorry Jon https://t.co/6JWgipi7Eg
— Tom Aspinall (@AspinallMMA) December 5, 2023
“You’re right. Sorry Jon”
UFC CEO Dana White recently said that the plan remains for Jones to fight Miocic in 2024, but in the world of MMA, things can change very quickly.
