Jon Jones has issued a defiant statement regarding his potential fight against Tom Aspinall.
The former pound-for-pound king has been expected to face the interim champion in a significant heavyweight title unification bout since last November.
A major matchup between Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall has been in the works since November.
Jones has offered a direct message to fans suggesting he is avoiding the fight.
However, this highly anticipated clash has not yet materialized, even after reports that the UFC was willing to meet Jones` demands for significant payment.
Many MMA fans appear to have lost patience with Jones, with several commenting on his social media that he is “ducking” Aspinall.
This sentiment was frequently expressed during the 37-year-old`s recent Instagram Live session, which prompted a strong response from the Hall-of-Famer.
He stated: “I’ve got people in the chat calling me a duck. Meanwhile, I`m living my absolute best life.”
Jones added: “I don’t know if it’s considered ducking when you’re living good. I don’t think it works like that.”
Jones` comments dismissing the idea of avoiding Aspinall come less than two weeks after he publicly rejected retirement rumors, insisting his greatest achievements are “yet to come.”
In an Instagram post featuring a room with fight posters from his career, he wrote: “Now, as you can see… still haven’t framed or hung the Stipe fight yet.”
“Been moving a million miles an hour lately. But there’s one last perfect spot left on my wall of victory.”
“And looking at this wall, it really hits me. This isn’t just artwork.”
“It’s legacy. Every poster tells a story. Different chapters.”
“Different homes. Different battles. Wins that meant the world at the time. Fights that made history.”
“I’ve said it before, my career hasn’t been perfect, but it’s been undeniably legendary. Epic. Special.”
“Just a few words that come to mind. Legend after legend. Era after era.”
“What I’m most proud of? I’ve evolved. I’m so much more than just a fighter.”
“I’m a man growing stronger in my faith, a family man, a loyal brother to my team, a businessman, a leader, a man for my community.”
“And I know – without a doubt – my mother would be proud of the man I’ve become.”
“The wall’s almost filled… but trust me, the story’s still being written. The best is yet to come.”
Jones` confirmation that retirement is not imminent followed statements from UFC President Dana White, who insisted that his planned fight with Aspinall would happen.
Responding to reports that the fight had been agreed upon (which were later withdrawn), White said last month: “Everything you hear is bulls**t until we say it.”
He added: “I’ve said it many times, that’s the fight we want to make this year, [I`m] still super confident [it happens].”
White concluded: “I`ve said since day one that this would be the biggest heavyweight fight in the history of the company and the history of the sport.”
“This will be a big one.”
Percy Harlow