“I’m working really hard. We’re doing everything we can to take this global—that’s the plan. I want to get it on store shelves, and honestly, it’s tough,” Paulo Costa shared last year, opening up about his ambitions to break into the beverage market with his own brand, Secret Juice. “This is my goal, this is my goldmine. It’s going to happen sooner or later—hopefully sooner. Maybe by the end of the year.”
The name “Secret Juice” isn’t just a catchy label—it’s a cheeky nod to the long-running steroid jokes tied to Costa’s chiseled, superhero-like physique. While he’s never failed a drug test, fans and pundits have constantly speculated about PED use. Rather than shy away from the chatter, Costa decided to turn the joke into a brand, leaning into the irony and launching a product that plays off the nickname. But in MMA, “juice” brings another name to mind: Jon Jones.
The former light heavyweight king and current heavyweight champ have had one of the most controversial careers in the sport’s history. Repeated PED accusations have followed him for years, even costing him a title at one point. And though ‘Bones’ is now in the final chapter of his career, the shadow of those scandals still looms large. Interim heavyweight champ Tom Aspinall recently threw a subtle jab in Jon Jones’ direction. Frustrated with Jones allegedly stalling a unification bout, the Brit posted an Instagram story with a photo of a glass of juice, captioned: “The only juice you will catch me on.”
Madison Square Garden NEW YORK CITY, NY -NOVEMBER 16:Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic meet in the octagon for a 3-round bout for UFC309 – Jones vs Miocic at Madison Square Garden on November 16, 2024 in New York City, NY Photo by Louis Grasse/PxImages Louis Grasse / SPP PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxBRAxMEX Copyright: xLouisxGrassex/xSPPx spp-en-LoGr-lrg2411164283824_UFCVegas309
Over his 16-year UFC run, Jon Jones has tested positive three times for banned substances, including two confirmed PED violations. His most infamous incident came in 2017, when his knockout win over Daniel Cormier at UFC 214 was overturned after he tested positive for Turinabol. The result was changed to a no-contest, and ‘Bones’ was stripped of the title once again.
Meanwhile, it’s been more than 500 days since Tom Aspinall captured the interim belt—a title he’s already defended once against Curtis Blaydes. Jon Jones, on the other hand, made his long-awaited return at UFC 309 last November, defending his heavyweight crown against Stipe Miocic in the main event at Madison Square Garden. Yet, despite that successful defense, he has yet to lock in a date to face the Englishman, leading to mounting speculation that he’s “Ducking” the clash fans are eager to see.
Nevertheless, UFC president Dana White remains confident, claiming the fight is “100%” happening. Initially, reports pointed toward UFC 317 during International Fight Week as the likely date. However, veteran journalist Ariel Helwani later revealed that the New Mexican had requested an additional six months to prepare, effectively pushing the bout to the next Madison Square Garden card. As a result, with the delay dragging on, Aspinall and his team are now considering other opponents and may proceed without waiting for Jones any longer.
Tom Aspinall gave an update on his bout against Jon Jones
After defending his heavyweight title last December, Jon Jones, with the help of his grappling mentor Gordon Ryan, signaled that he was preparing for his final fight camp. However, despite the buildup and anticipation, ‘Bones’ has left fans and pundits frustrated, as Dana White and the UFC have yet to announce his next opponent. This uncertainty has sparked growing frustration within the MMA community, with many calling on Jones to either defend his title or relinquish it.
Rumors have also surfaced that Jon Jones is requesting a massive payday for his final fight, with figures ranging from $30 million to $50 million, though these numbers remain unconfirmed. Tom Aspinall, the 31-year-old interim heavyweight champion, has had enough of the back-and-forth. In an interview with Jamahl Niaz, the Brit expressed his exasperation, saying, “I’m honestly bored of it. We’ll see what happens. I’m ready to fight whenever they tell me. Just let me know, I’ll be there.”
While Dana White insists that they are still working on ‘Bones’ next fight, the situation remains in limbo. With no clear direction, all eyes are now on Dana White and the UFC to resolve the situation. Will Jon Jones finally face Tom Aspinall, or will he retire before that showdown ever happens? Share your thoughts below.
The post Jon Jones Catches Strays as Tom Aspinall Throws Shade on UFC Legend’s Controversial Past in ‘Juice’ Remark appeared first on EssentiallySports.
