UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones has delivered a crushing blow to British MMA fans and interim title holder Tom Aspinall, unequivocally stating he has 'absolutely zero interest' in a unification bout against the rising British star.
The MMA legend took to social media to address growing calls for the blockbuster matchup, instead reaffirming his commitment to facing former champion Stipe Miocic upon his return from injury.
The Social Media Declaration That Ended Hopes
In a series of blunt responses on X (formerly Twitter), Jones left no room for interpretation regarding his fighting future. When questioned about the potential Aspinall showdown, the champion responded with a definitive: 'I face the winner of Stipe and Jon. I have zero interest in fighting Tom.'
The 36-year-old further elaborated that his focus remains squarely on what he considers the 'biggest fight in MMA history' against Miocic, dismissing interim champion Aspinall as simply 'not part of the conversation'.
British Frustration Boils Over
Tom Aspinall, who captured the interim heavyweight title with a stunning 69-second knockout of Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 295, has been vocal about his desire to unify the belts. The Wigan-born fighter expressed frustration at the champion's stance, questioning why Jones would avoid what many consider the most compelling matchup in the division.
'This is the fight the fans want,' Aspinall has repeatedly stated, highlighting the growing divide between champion's preferences and public demand.
The Injury Timeline Complication
Jones's position stems from his current recovery from a pectoral injury that forced him out of his originally scheduled bout against Miocic. The champion maintains that his recovery timeline and previous commitment to fighting Miocic take precedence over any interim title obligations.
This leaves the UFC heavyweight division in an unusual state of limbo, with an active interim champion unable to secure a unification bout against the division's lineal title holder.
What's Next for British MMA's Rising Star?
With the door firmly shut on an immediate Jones matchup, Aspinall now faces difficult decisions about his fighting future. Options include:
- Waiting indefinitely for the Jones-Miocic winner
- Defending his interim title against other contenders
- Pushing for the interim title to be elevated to full championship status
The situation represents a significant setback for British MMA, which had been hoping to see its brightest heavyweight star compete for undisputed gold against one of the sport's all-time greats.
