UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones appears to be playfully misleading fans or engaging in mind games regarding his future.
Since his victory over Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 last November, the UFC fanbase has consistently called for Jones to face interim champion Tom Aspinall to unify the title.
His former opponent, Anthony Smith, has even suggested that Jones is `mentally exhausting` Aspinall through the continued delay of their potential fight.
During his current hiatus from the Octagon, Jon Jones is in Thailand participating in a Russian reality television series. Curiously, this appearance includes a segment where he is set to compete against Nate Diaz.
Jones Provides Reassurance Following Retirement Hint
Despite UFC President Dana White assuring fans that Jones would fight sometime this year, the fighter widely regarded as the greatest of all time recently dropped a significant hint about retiring. During a video call filmed for the reality show, he was heard telling an old teammate, “I`m done.”
These comments were made just hours after Jones publicly stated that he had informed the UFC of his plans and questioned why the promotion had not yet announced them to the fans.
However, shortly after suggesting his career was over, the 37-year-old champion seemingly attempted to alleviate fans` concerns about retirement through a post on his social media.
He shared a video of a dog aggressively chasing other dogs out of its yard, captioning it, “What I feel like returning to the UFC after some much needed downtime.” This post implied his intention to return rather than retire.
Discussing a Potential Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall Return Date
With Jones now hinting at a return despite his earlier “I`m done” remark, speculation turns to when the title unification fight against Tom Aspinall might occur.
The promotion has already filled the main event slots for their next four pay-per-view events. Their September PPV, UFC 320 (also known as UFC Noche), is scheduled to take place in Guadalajara.
Additionally, rumors indicate that the UFC`s October pay-per-view event will be held in Abu Dhabi, a location where Jon Jones is considered highly unlikely to headline.
This scheduling leaves November as the most probable window for the potential Jones vs. Aspinall showdown. November UFC pay-per-views are typically held at Madison Square Garden, a venue Jones has headlined in the past, including the last card there.
Percy Harlow