Jon Jones engaged in some playful banter on social media targeting Tom Aspinall, though it doesn`t appear to bring a potential fight any closer.
Earlier in the week, Aspinall, the interim UFC heavyweight champion, had wished the official champion, Jones, well in `retirement,` declared himself the undisputed champion, and seemingly moved on from pursuing a fight with Jones publicly. Jones, known as `Bones,` took to Twitter on Thursday evening, tweeting extensively, responding to fans, and offering his assessment of Aspinall`s fighting record.
Responding to a fan who called Aspinall the titleholder, Jones remarked, “That’s awesome, you guys could use [a heavyweight champion].”
Speaking about Aspinall, Jones stated, “Unfortunately, my boy is not as special as his fan base thinks he is right now. I’ve seen Tom get finished twice now by two different people. Time will show. Here today gone tomorrow.”
When a fan asked how he would defeat Aspinall, Jones asserted he had already done so “by not even giving him the chance” to fight him.
Following a layoff exceeding three years and vacating the light heavyweight title, Jones transitioned to heavyweight and claimed the vacant championship in March 2023 by quickly submitting Ciryl Gane at UFC 285. Jones subsequently faced injuries that kept him sidelined, but later returned and secured a third-round knockout victory over Stipe Miocic.
Aspinall became the interim champion by knocking out Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 295 in November 2023. The rising British star then successfully defended the title, stopping Curtis Blaydes in 60 seconds at UFC 304.
Jones continued his tweets regarding Aspinall and his own future in fighting. It seems, unless he is simply engaging in mind games or teasing the fanbase, that Jones is not in a rush to return to competition against Aspinall or any other opponent.
Jones also mentioned that he holds no animosity towards Aspinall and offered some advice to the interim champion.
Jones stated, “No, honestly, I wish Tommy no ill will. He is no threat to me whatsoever, he should start by simply trying to become the best heavyweight of all time; that goal would be plenty. My career is on a completely different planet, if we’re being honest. I genuinely don’t harbor hatred for other fighters; I’m usually just responding to their envy.”
