Jon Jones has stated that the UFC is completely aware of his intentions regarding his fighting career, despite ongoing uncertainty about his anticipated bout with Tom Aspinall.
A major heavyweight title unification fight between Jones and the interim champion Aspinall has been a potential matchup since November of last year.
However, this highly anticipated match has not yet materialized, despite reports that UFC management met Jones` demands for substantial payment, described as “F**K YOU MONEY.”
Many MMA fans have grown impatient with Jones and have accused him of “ducking” the British fighter Aspinall, who is currently in a state of limbo regarding his next opponent.
Jones, however, has pushed back against these critics, claiming he informed Dana White and others within the UFC about his plans a while ago.
Responding to a fan on X who suggested he might be stripped of his title, 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 champion 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 assertion that the UFC is aware of his plans came just THREE DAYS after UFC CEO and President White GUARANTEED his return to the octagon this year.
White told Adam Glyn explicitly: “Jon Jones will be fighting in 2025. 100 per cent.”
Hall-of-Famer Jones has been annoyed by accusations that he is avoiding Aspinall, the fighter from Wigan who now holds the record for the LONGEST-REIGNING interim champion in UFC history.
Previously, Jon Jones had publicly criticized his UFC rival Tom Aspinall in an expletive-laden online statement.
He recently commented on Instagram Live about the “ducking” claims, saying: “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 lightheartedly mocked UFC fans with a comment about his recent inactivity.
On an Instagram post announcing an upcoming training seminar with Bangtao MMA in Thailand, he wrote: “Everything but fighting.”
Jones has not competed in the octagon since his impressive spinning back-kick victory over Stipe Miocic at UFC 295 last November.
Aspinall, conversely, has been out of action since his dominant win against Curtis Blaydes in their rematch at UFC 304 last July.
Percy Harlow