“UFC Is a Show Business!” Alexander Volkov Offers Honest Opinion on Stripping Jon Jones of Heavyweight Strap Amid Logjam

Alexander Volkov weighs in on whether Jon Jones should be stripped of the heavyweight title, away from a Tom Aspinall unification fight.

“UFC Is a Show Business!” Alexander Volkov Offers Honest Opinion on Stripping Jon Jones of Heavyweight Strap Amid Logjam

Alexander Volkov pitches in whether Jon Jones should vacate or not (Source: X/IMAGO)

Amid talks of a far-probable PPV title unification against Tom Aspinall, champion Jon Jones has been overseas, biding his time. The British interim champ has continued his campaign for a rightful unification of the belts since late 2023. However, that has not yet resolved itself; amid the serious logjam, UFC heavyweight contender Alexander Volkov recently shared his thoughts on it.

UFC brass has indicated that Jones’ PPV monetary compensation and a six-month out in camp were under negotiations. During UFC on ESPN 66 post-fight interviews, Dana White said the super fight against Tom Aspinall was still on. However. Jon Jones spent the last few weeks in a coaching stint at Thailand’s ALF Reality; all the while dropping cryptic, laid-back tweets about his career.

Recently, he was also at the infamous Bangtao Muay Thai MMA gym. Just days back, Alexander Volkov pitched in on Jones’ whim, stalling the stability of the 265-pound division. In a media interview with RedCorner MMA during UFC Vegas107 fight week, “Drago” pitched in on whether the champ should be stripped of his belt:

If we consider this a pure sport, probably yes, [probably be stripped]… But the UFC is a show business first of all. Jon Jones generates a lot of money for the organization. From a financial standpoint, he’s good for business…He’s done, and is still doing, much more for the UFC than any of us. His value as a champion should be calculated not just in terms of the sport, but also in terms of his media presence.

Alexander Volkov via Red Corner MMA

The Russian heavyweight was on a 4-0 roll before his highly disputed split decision loss to Ciryl Gane at UFC 310. Alexander Volkov also has a history and one fight night submission loss to the interim champ, which means to drive up the stakes for a challenge. Hence, “Bones” holding up the division harms his chances of becoming a top contender.

However, Volkov cannot deny the force that had been Jon Jones; he adjusted to the idea that even in his current state, ‘Bones’ brought on attention. Hence, relinquishing the champ’s belt would be a no-no. Currently, there is a fan petition going on at change.org to strip him.

Whether or not commission officials take notice and strip him of gold again is tomorrow’s bridge. For now, Jones is hurting Alexander Volkov’s chances even more, in more ways than one.

Jon Jones dropped a major two-word bomb on his UFC return after mocking Tom Aspinall at a seminar

Tom Aspinall has been garnering gargantuan support since before his rare interim defense and first-round TKO of Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304. From Michael Bisping, Daniel Cormier, Chael Sonnen, Muhammad Mokaev, Paddy Pimblett, to many others have supported him as the active contending HW champ.

Jon Jones surmises UFC reutrn against Tom Aspinall in two-word shocker
Jon Jones surmises UFC reutrn against Tom Aspinall in two-word shocker (Source: X)

With the UK native fighter now reigning as the longest UFC interim champ (Ex-UFC bantamweight champ Renan Barao was before that), the issues have persisted without Jon Jones. While at Bangtao Muay Thai MMA gym in Thailand earlier this week, Jones mocked Aspinall for spotting English fan bases and thus all the free publicity.

The champ, like others before him (Georges St-Pierre), was visible in footage (🎥 : @jj_dangermouse_jones) training groups of all ages. The assembled group soaked in all that the consensus GOAT fighter had to offer.

With Jon Jones tagged in the IG Post, a fan famously retorted when they’d be able to see his infamous eye-pokes again, in the octagon. Here is what he said in the comments:

Next year…

Jon Jones via Instagram

Not only is that reason for fans to fume even more, but it also means Tom Aspinall and others would have to wait till 2026 for a top fight. The state of the division is in the slow-roll gutter as it is; this does not improve upon it any further.

Aspinall has reportedly turned down another interim title defense, and Jones had reportedly clogged up the idea of relinquishing. So, it’s a stalemate for now. If he does relinquish, chances are the Brit would fight for the undisputed gold, and Jones would fight the winner upon his return.

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