Tom Aspinall is done talking about Jon Jones, but it’s clear that Jon Jones isn’t done talking about Tom Aspinall.
After unsuccessfully lobbying for a unification clash with Jones, Aspinall has turned his attention toward No. 4 ranked contender Curtis Blaydes. The two will square off at UFC 304 on July 27 when the promotion heads back to Manchester.
As the first fighter to defend an interim belt in more than a decade, Aspinall will be seeking both validation and redemption as he meets the only man to hand him a loss inside the Octagon. First meeting ‘Razor’ in July 2022, Aspinall suffered a devastating knee injury mere seconds into the scrap, forcing the referee to call for the stoppage and hand Blaydes the win via TKO.
Though the bout only lasted for 15 seconds, Jon Jones seems to think that was more than enough time for him to see that Blaydes was the better fighter.
“I watched his fight against Curtis earlier today,” Jones wrote on X in response to a fan. “Honestly, it was my first time seeing it. Your boy was getting that ass kicked. His knee blowing was the best thing that could’ve happened to him. I’ve learned over the years to never bet against American wrestlers. I’m going to laugh the hardest if your boy ends up losing.”
I watched his fight against Curtis earlier today. Honestly, it was my first time seeing it. Your boy was getting that ass kicked. His knee blowing was the best thing that could’ve happened to him. I’ve learned over the years to never bet against American wrestlers. I’m going to… https://t.co/SQoKKiF3u4
— BONY (@JonnyBones) June 13, 2024
When one fan pointed out that the fight only lasted for a few seconds, ‘Bones’ doubled down on his comments, claiming that Blaydes was “touching that chin” from the get-go.
“Go back and watch the fight, in the short time it lasted, Tom lost almost every exchange. Curtis was touching that chin from the moment the fight started.”
Go back and watch the fight, in the short time it lasted, Tom lost almost every exchange. Curtis was touching that chin from the moment the fight started. https://t.co/qrOnG7R8gf
— BONY (@JonnyBones) June 13, 2024
“I’m telling you guys film study is one of my great strengths,” Jones added in a follow-up post. “If Curtis wants by knockout or ground and pound I would not be surprised.”
I’m telling you guys film study is one of my great strengths,. If Curtis wants by knockout or ground and pound I would not be surprised.
— BONY (@JonnyBones) June 13, 2024
Jon Jones Goes on the Defensive As Fans Lambaste Him Over Aspinall Comments
Multiple commenters lambasted Jones for reposting Aspinall’s injury, though the reigning heavyweight titleholder was quick to defend his actions, claiming he was merely inspecting the opening moments of the fight and not making light of the injury itself.
“It’s not about the injury, it’s about your boy getting touched up,” Jones posted. “Even the moment his knee popped he was getting punched in the face. I’m just calling what I see. The fans get so impressed with the new guy, I look at was actually happening. I look at the tactics. I don’t hop on the train and get hyped like everyone else. stay around for a while, start breaking records. That’s when you get my full attention. I’ve seen this story too many times.”
It’s not about the injury, it’s about your boy getting touched up. Even the moment his knee popped he was getting punched in the face. I’m just calling what I see. The fans get so impressed with the new guy, I look at was actually happening. I look at the tactics. I don’t hop on… https://t.co/TZgZQzmDTv
— BONY (@JonnyBones) June 13, 2024
Instead of facing Aspinall to unify their interim and undisputed titles, Jones is planning to hold out for a heavyweight superfight with two-time titleholder Stipe Miocic. The pair were originally scheduled to scrap at UFC 295 last November, but ‘Bones’ was forced to withdraw after suffering a torn pectoral muscle.
The two are expected to finally face one another on November 9 when the UFC heads back to Madison Square Garden, though no official announcements have been made.
