“Stay tuned.” UFC interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall remarked after he met top brass Hunter Campbell. Last night, at the promotion’s 16th outing in London during UFC Fight Night 255, the Englishman, despite not being in action, grabbed the spotlight. Sitting among the spectators at the O2 Arena, he pulled out a rubber duck for a playful pose, sending a clear message to reigning heavyweight champion Jon Jones, who has long been accused of “ducking” Aspinall.
This month, the Brit marked 500 days as interim champion—a milestone that is more of a shame than a source of pride for the promotion, especially as ‘Bones’ has yet to sign the contract to face him. Nevertheless, UFC CEO Dana White assured fans that the heavyweight showdown between Aspinall and Jones will “100%” happen this year. However, recent reports suggest ‘Bones’ has requested an additional six months of preparation, pushing the highly anticipated clash to the fall.
Despite these delays, the head honcho remained optimistic, saying, “It’s done, but…” and emphasizing that it’s “just a matter of time.” This has only left fans, including those of Aspinall, feeling frustrated and angry. Will Jones ever face the interim champ? The situation has become increasingly uncertain, particularly as ‘Bones’, like Conor McGregor, appears to be shifting focus toward retirement plans after buying a stake in Mike Perry’s Dirty Boxing promotion.
Amidst the hubbub, UFC’s first heavyweight champion, Mark Coleman, who recently encountered the Albuquerque native at the DBX 1 event in Miami posted a photo with ‘Bones’ and wrote, “I ran across the Champ at Dirty Boxing. He is the GOAT. He will be fighting Aspinall soon. We are brothers. God is great.”
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-lrg2411164283830_UFCVegas309
But does Coleman’s endorsement carry weight? Only Jon Jones knows for sure! What’s undeniable is that the heavyweight division is in a rough patch. Once the face of the promotion, it has been severely impacted by the unexpected departure of former champion Francis Ngannou in 2023, and now with Jones’ inactivity. The New York export’s last appearance in the Octagon was in November at UFC 309, where he faced Stipe Miocic, after being sidelined for more than a year.
If he returns based on his suggested timeline, it will coincide with the first anniversary of the UFC’s 2024 outing at MSG. With all of this in mind, the big question remains: why isn’t Jon Jones ready to defend his title against Tom Aspinall? Let’s hear what Jones’ former roommate, and former interim 170lbs champion, has to say.
Colby Covington goes unfiltered on Jon Jones over Aspinall’s heavyweight fight
Colby Covington and Jon Jones, who were once close friends and dormmates for a semester at Iowa Central Community College, are now bitter rivals. Their feud reignited recently when Covington appeared on a ‘One on One’ interview, where he took aim at Jones’ quest for “f–k you money” in a potential fight with Tom Aspinall. Jones is said to be asking for a hefty payday that reflects his legacy in what could be his final bout, with rumors suggesting he’s requesting around $30 million.
However, Dana White & Co. swiftly dismissed these speculations. Now, four months after defending his heavyweight title, his next move remains unclear. ‘Chaos’ believes Jones is stalling the heavyweight division and suspects that the GOAT contender intentionally requested an exorbitant amount, fully aware that the UFC would never meet such demands.
It is safe to say that Covington, like many others, isn’t pleased with how Jones is handling things. “You heard that interview with Aspinall yesterday, right? They’re not getting this fight done until it’s signed. I just don’t want to talk about it anymore. You can see Aspinall’s frustration. Jon is ducking; he’s trying to ask for an unreasonable price, trying to demand an unreasonable price. You can’t be asking for $40-50 million when you’re not drawing that kind of money for the company.”
What do you think of Mark Coleman’s comments? Do you believe the UFC should strip Jon Jones of the heavyweight title? Given the prolonged stalling and ‘Bones’ ongoing inactivity, it raises an important question: Has he gone beyond the limits of “ducking” the interim champion? Share your thoughts below.
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