Jon Jones finds a lot of humor in Tom Apsinall’s demand that he be stripped of the UFC undisputed heavyweight title.
Jones was originally scheduled to square off with two-time titleholder Stipe Miocic at UFC 295, but a pectoral injury whilst training took him out of the bout. That led to Dana White and Co. slapping together an interim heavyweight title fight between Tom Aspinall and Sergei Pavlovich at the same event.
Aspinall scored a quick first-round finish of Pavlovich to claim the interim crown, but it’s been nothing but frustration for the budding UK superstar since then.
With the news that the UFC would still pursue a superfight between Jones and Miocic in 2024, Aspinall has essentially been left in limbo. Irritated by the situation, Aspinall has called for the promotion to strip ‘Bones’ of his title while he continues to recover from his injury.
It took some time, but Jones finally issued a response to Aspinall’s demand.
“I’ve faced the absolute toughest competition this world had to offer for 15 years now,” Jones wrote on X. “During camp for a title defense, I sustained a major injury that required surgery for the first time in my career.
“Now I have newcomers requesting I get my championship stripped. Zero wins over legends, zero title defenses and already thinking you can call the shots to Dana, that’s hilarious. In my 15-year career, I have seen so many guys who are supposed to be the next big thing. There’s ever only been one Jon Jones, never forget that.”
I’ve faced the absolute toughest competition this world had to offer for 15 years now. During camp for a title defense I sustained a major injury that required surgery for the first time in my career. Now I have newcomers requesting I get my championship stripped. Zero wins over…
— BONY (@JonnyBones) December 4, 2023
The UFC and Jon Jones Leave Tom Aspinall in Limbo
Jon Jones returned to the Octagon in March to claim the then-vacant heavyweight title with a dominant performance against Ciryl Gane at UFC 285. ‘Bones’ is yet to defend the title and with his injury requiring corrective surgery, there’s no timeline for his return.
Typically an interim champion would face the undisputed titleholder upon their return, but that won’t be the case this time. With the UFC adamant about making Jones vs. Miocic happen, Aspinall will be relegated to the bench for upwards of a year. His only other option would be to defend his interim title, putting a potential matchup with Jones or Miocic at risk.
Aspinall is understandably unhappy with the decision and has said so on more than one occasion, but that doesn’t appear to have changed Dana White’s mind whatsoever.
