UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones may have accidentally revealed his plans for future fights.
The UFC administration is still waiting to schedule the highly anticipated heavyweight bout that fans, experts, and fighters alike have been demanding for nearly two years.
With summer nearing, a date for the heavyweight title unification fight between Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall doesn`t seem imminent. Following his title defense at UFC 309, Jones reportedly focused on contract discussions with Dana White and the matchmakers regarding a potential fight with Aspinall.
UFC enthusiasts are growing more impatient with Jones`s extended break from the sport, with some alleging he is ‘holding the belt captive’. Recently, there`s been an increase in demands for Jones to be stripped of his UFC championship.
Jon Jones Gives Big Hint on UFC Future After Mocking Tom Aspinall at Recent Seminar
Aspinall recently spoke about the mental strain the prolonged wait for Jones has caused him, stating this period has been more challenging than his recovery from leg surgery in 2022.
While discussions about the Aspinall fight continue, Jones has been abroad. He was expected to face Nate Diaz in Thailand as part of a The Ultimate Fighter reality series spinoff, but Diaz`s sudden exit led to the halt of filming after an on-set altercation.
During this time, Jones conducted what was called the ‘largest seminar in Bangtao history’ at the Bangtao Muay Thai MMA gym in Thailand recently. The gym and Jones shared footage on Instagram showing the heavyweight champion interacting with fight enthusiasts of all ages, eager to learn about MMA.
Following a sarcastic question from an Instagram user about when fans might see his ‘famous eyepoke’ again, the UFC legend provided a two-word answer about his fighting future.
Jones`s response is unlikely to please fight fans.
Jones replied, “Next year.”
If Jones`s comment suggests a return to the Octagon in 2026, it places the UFC heavyweight division in an unusual situation with Aspinall holding the interim title. Should Jones vacate his undisputed title, Aspinall would compete for the full championship against another leading contender, potentially setting up a fight between Jones and that winner upon his comeback.
Aspinall currently holds the distinction of being the UFC`s longest-reigning interim champion, having won the title by knocking out Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 295. He successfully defended the interim title in July at UFC 304, defeating Curtis Blaydes in the first round.
With Jones sidelined for an uncertain period, a bout featuring Aspinall against another top heavyweight contender such as Ciryl Gane or Alexander Volkov appears to be a likely next step. Volkov recently expressed his dissatisfaction with how the UFC is managing Jones`s absence, claiming the champion receives ‘privilege’ during his inactivity.
Petition for the UFC to Strip Jon Jones of His Belt Continues to Skyrocket in Signatures
A petition on Change.org demanding that the UFC strip Jones of his heavyweight title gained significant traction this week. At the time this was written, the petition had accumulated over 150,000 signatures and prompted a counter-response from a group of Jones`s dedicated fans.
Jones and Aspinall recently engaged in a social media exchange while Jones was in Thailand. Following Jones`s jibe about Aspinall`s expanding UK fanbase, Aspinall reiterated his accusations that Jones was avoiding him, humorously wishing the legendary fighter a pleasant retirement.
Currently, neither Dana White nor the UFC matchmakers have provided a definitive schedule for the next heavyweight title bout. When questioned about the status of the Jones vs. Aspinall matchup, White recently advised fans to ‘relax’.
