UFC fans have turned their ire on heavyweight titleholder Jon Jones as they accused him of “ducking” a fight with interim champion Tom Aspinall – after the latter issued a callout for a bout. The Brit made his desire known after competing at UFC 304 but it appears that the prospect is a non-starter.
Coming off the back of a compelling knockout victory over Sergei Pavlovich last November, the man from Manchester demonstrated his formidability once more as he dispatched of Curtis Blaydes in his home city in July. Meanwhile, veteran Jones is preparing for what could be his final outing in the octagon Stipe Miocic on Nov. 16.
The 37-year-old, who holds the UFC world heavyweight title, has hinted at retirement following the much-anticipated fight at Madison Square Garden, New York. However, Aspinall has been steadfast in his approach as he attempts to coax Jones into prolonging his career.
Speaking after his last fight, the 31-year-old colossus issued a stern callout as he spoke confidently of his abilities, while seemingly hoping to spark some reaction from his peer. He said: “Hello Jon, I have nothing against you personally, I just think I’m better than you.”
However, Jones dashed any hopes of a bout being arranged at media day ahead of UFC 309, saying: “If I’m being completely honest, I feel like Tom has been such an a—— that I don’t want to do business with him.
“His fans have been so annoying, and obviously don’t get this far in a career being affected by fans and whatnot, but he’s just an a——. You know, he’s 30, so he’s from this influencer generation where you hop online and with t-shirt sales and all that. I’m past that kind of stuff.
“I’m like, bro if you had a little bit more respect, then maybe we could have worked something out, but I just don’t want to do business with him. At the end of the day, this is a business, and fighting me gives him the chance to change his life forever, and I don’t want to give him the opportunity.”
With his disdain clear, he added: “He played his cards wrong with me personally. I’m three years from being a 40-year-old grown man – you know, going through a press conference with him, the whole shebang- it’s something I’d rather not do. Now, Pereira, on the other side – respectfully, cool, barely says much – I’ll do business with you.”
DON’T MISS…
UFC legend says he could ‘smoke’ Jake Paul with one eye as Mike Tyson fight looms
Mike Tyson’s sparring partner left with black eye in chilling Jake Paul warning
Jake Paul targeting boxing champion as next opponent after Mike Tyson
Fans were left unimpressed with is remarks, though, with one MMA enthusiast taking to Twitter/X to say: “Think the ufc needs to introduce a rule that if you hold the belt and are ducking fighters that could beat you, you need to give the belt up. It’s bad for the sport and unfair on everyone else competing.”
Meanwhile, a second said: “It’s embarrassing that we have champions like Jones, Pereira snd Merab ducking their #1 contender fighters,” as a third added: “I’m honestly glad that Jon will be vacating the title after this fight. The division deserves a better champ.”
Another fan asserted: “If Jon just wants fun legacy fights he needs to vacate and just do BMF stuff etc. He can pick and choose who he fights. But ducking Tom is such a bad look. I’d love to see him fight Alex. But do it as a glorified exhibition and give up the belt if he won’t fight Tom.”
