Tom Aspinall’s criticism of Jon Jones has become more and more harsh as time goes on.
Jones has been sidelined since canceling his heavyweight title defense against Stipe Miocic, scheduled for UFC 295 in November 2023. Aspinall won the interim title with a last-minute knockout win over Sergey Pavlovic on the same card. “Honey Badger” has since called for a title unification bout with Jones, and Jones remains committed to fighting Miocic upon his return. Jones vs. Miocic is rumored to take place at UFC 309 in November, but has not been officially announced by the promotion.
Aspinall, meanwhile, retained his interim title with a knockout win over Curtis Blaydes in front of his home fans at UFC 304 in Manchester last month. Jones, meanwhile, has hinted at retirement after the Miocic fight, possibly by the end of the year. Former UFC champion Michael Bisping recently revealed that fellow Briton called Jones a “bum” when discussing his retirement plans, and Aspinall is standing by his words.
Aspinall believes Jones desperately wanted him to lose to Blaydes so that “Bones” wouldn’t have to fight him, and he points out that Jones never publicly said he would fight him.
“Jon Jones was praying that I would lose that fight against Curtis Blaydes. That’s what he was praying for,” Aspinall said on the “Believe You Me” podcast. “Because I don’t see anywhere publicly saying he’s going to fight me… I know he’s a little overweight these days. He had his fingers full of Cheetos or whatever, Doritos, his iPhone in his hand, waiting for me to get knocked out and start tweeting. I’ll be honest with you. And after I won that fight, he went completely quiet and will be completely quiet about me until he retires, because there’s no way he’s going to fight me. No way. I’m going to retire without fighting Jon Jones.”
Dana White remains adamant about Jones vs. Miocic and preserving the legacy of the former light heavyweight champion. The UFC boss has repeatedly shown signs of losing his cool over Jones losing his pound-for-pound No. 1 spot in the UFC rankings. Aspinall doesn’t agree with White’s stance and just wants a chance to prove it.
“I’m the best heavyweight in the world and I don’t get the recognition,” Aspinall said.[He’s] Jon Jones is so happy to have the belt held hostage. He’s also so happy that Dana White is answering all his interview questions. We were talking about the bantamweight division and Dana White turned the interview around and started talking about how great Jon Jones is. I’m like, ‘Hey, if you’re that good, let me fight you.’ I’m the number one heavyweight in the world right now. Let’s have a fight and see who wins, me or Jones.’
Aspinall also recently argued that Miocic should be removed from a heavyweight title fight due to President Joe Biden withdrawing from the 2024 presidential race. Aspinall reiterated his position, saying he intended no disrespect towards either Miocic or Jones, but the interim heavyweight champion doesn’t believe either fighter deserves the title at this time.
“Why would a man of 42 or something like that? [a title
shot]”I completely understand and respect Stipe and what he’s done in his career,” Aspinall said, “and Jon Jones. Contrary to what people think, I respect them more than I can express, but they don’t deserve to be fighting for the heavyweight title. They’re not the top heavyweights right now. I don’t care what Dana White or anyone else says.”
Jones was returning to the ring for the first time in three years, having won the title with a first-round submission victory over Cyril Gane at UFC 285 in March 2023. Miocic, meanwhile, has not fought since losing the title to Francis Ngannou with a brutal knockout at UFC 260 more than three years ago.
