May 22, 2025, 12:00 AM
May 20, 2025, 12:00 AM

Jon Jones keeps UFC heavyweight title hostage

Provocative
Highlights
  • Jon Jones has been inactive and has not scheduled a title unification fight with Tom Aspinall.
  • Tom Aspinall is frustrated with the ongoing delays and has expressed his readiness to move on if no fight is scheduled.
  • Dana White remains optimistic about a Jones versus Aspinall clash occurring in 2025.
Story

In the world of mixed martial arts, the focus has shifted towards Jon Jones, the UFC heavyweight champion, who has not scheduled a title unification battle with Tom Aspinall, the interim heavyweight champion. This situation has contributed to ongoing frustrations in the UFC community, especially for Aspinall, who has been waiting since Jones's victory over Stipe Miocic in November 2023 for the opportunity to unify the titles. Despite expected fights planned, including a bout with Miocic that fell through due to Jones's injury, no formal announcements regarding future matches have emerged. Teddy Atlas, a well-known boxing commentator, recently made headlines with his assertion that Jones is "keeping the title hostage." He emphasized that champions have an obligation to their peers and must allow other fighters opportunities to compete for the title. Atlas's comments highlight a growing sentiment in the MMA world that champions should not only be fighters but also exhibit a sense of responsibility in their role as champions. This can be seen in the challenges faced by Aspinall, who recently expressed his frustrations with the delays and uncertainty in scheduling his title bout against Jones. The UFC has experienced a slew of events and delays, ultimately leading to the decision to have Aspinall compete for the interim title against Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 295. Aspinall emerged victorious in that matchup, yet the reality of a unification fight against Jones remains unfulfilled. Aspinall's mounting impatience has been clear as he stated, "Either we need to fight, or I need to move on and do something else." This calls into question the level of commitment from Jones and the UFC toward finalizing a fight that many fans desperately want to see. In recent statements, Jones acknowledged that he is not retired, yet questioned whether he would label himself as such. He conveyed a sense of satisfaction outside of fighting, suggesting that he is enjoying various aspects of life while hinting at a desire to return to the octagon. UFC President Dana White has reiterated the organization’s hope that a bout between Jones and Aspinall will materialize in 2025, describing it as potentially the most significant heavyweight fight in the sport's history. As the wait continues, fans, fighters, and pundits alike are left eager to see how this narrative unfolds in the coming months.

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