Tom Aspinall ‘Retires’ Jon Jones, Agrees To New Fight Date and Location With Another Opponent

Tom Aspinall disputes Jon Jones’s recent tease of looming UFC announcement, says he is moving on from PPV title unifier.

Tom Aspinall ‘Retires’ Jon Jones, Agrees To New Fight Date and Location With Another Opponent

Tom Aspinall contradicts Jon Jones’ positive fight update, has agreed to new booking (Source: X)

Jon Jones hasn’t had an active booking since his UFC 309 PPV defense against Stipe Miocic. A heavyweight title unification has been far off, and ‘Bones’ has been teasing stepping down even. Tom Aspinall, interim titleholder and collateral, has been hung out to dry in all this ordeal; no more, though. The UK native took a very bold turn this week, despite positive updates from Jones.

It’s been seven business months later, and Jon Jones is still beating around the bush. A PPV title unifier provocation brought up a contractual sum and a few months out in prep. However, the fight never came to be this summer, which was a hot spot during International Fight Week. Tom Aspinall, on the other hand, has passed gargantuan spans of time and is now the official longest-reigning interim champ in active competition.

The British fighter once stated he’d retire ‘Bones’ even without fighting him. Now, during a recent ‘Good Guy / Bad Guy’ podcast from Daniel Cormier and Chael Sonnen, Aspinall declared himself the real heavyweight champ in contention, and that he has a new PPV booking to move on to.

Guys, why are we still talking about Jon? He’s retired. He’s done…I said a long time ago, ‘I’m gonna retire Jon without even fighting him’. That’s what’s happened. You guys are gonna see really soon…this is exciting times for the heavyweight division. We get some movement. People are literally forgetting that heavyweights exist — That’s old news. The active heavyweight champion is here to fight them all, let’s get it on. I’ll tell you something. I’ve got a date and a location.

Tom Aspinall on the ‘Good Guy / Bad Guy’ podcast

With the ugly threshold of inaction raging, some good updates came in recently. During his recent training session at Bangtao Muay Thai MMA gym in Thailand, Jon Jones told a fan Q&A session that he and Aspinall are set on it but keeping it hush-hush. That meant it was up to UFC brass to dedicate a big date towards it. However, “real” heavyweight champion Aspinall disagreed with that narrative of a looming announcement.

Nah, man, Jon’s retired. What are we talking about, guys? …The guy is living his best life, he’s had a fantastic career, we all know. We know Jones is a religious man, so I want to say God bless him moving forward and with what he does with his life and his career. We move on…I’m the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. I’m ready to take on all comers and get this division moving again.

Tom Aspinall further said

The U-Turn on a PPV title booking less than 24 hours later is no good news, given that one super fight this year already fell through. If Aspinall’s claims that Jones is not lacing up hold, he’ll likely be promoted to undisputed HW champ in contention.

But that means he will likely lock horns with top crops like Ciryl Gane and Alexander Volkov in the mix. Many of whom have been waiting in the wings, given this absurd logjam. However, one name thinks a Jones vs. Aspinall fight still has traction.

Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall has a December date, per MMA insider

With an extensive logjam, the Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall HW unification saga has reached more than its boiling point. It’s unclear where UFC litigation steps on currently booking the bout from here. Jones gave a humdrum update on a call during Thailand’s ALF Reality, that he might be ‘done’ with it all.

Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall UFC title fight might find new slot and home
Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall UFC title fight might find new slot and home (Source: X)

However, with lingering questions about half a year’s worth of wait and the baggage of $30 million in PPV monetary compensation, ‘Bones’ told he had informed UFC execs of his plans and wants. Barring which, he was up for stepping down as well.

So it’s all a bit confusing as to where it is all going and what Tom Aspinall faces in the upcoming months. UFC commentator Jon Anik, though, is optimistic with brand new updates:

Yeah, I think we see it—December 2025, T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas. Not New York. Why not New York? Well, Jon Jones fought and won at Madison Square Garden in New York last November. I’m a Boston guy—place is a dump—no [laughs], I mean, he checked that box. I’m not sure what the taxes are, but why does Jon Jones need to fight at Madison Square Garden? Why not fight at T-Mobile Arena in the fight capital of the world, Las Vegas, Nevada?

Jon Anik via MMA Junkie Radio with “Gorgeous” George and “Goze”

UFC CEO and headman Dana White is head-over-heels over the oath that this PPV title unifier and super fight is what fans want, and thus the way to go. After UFC on ESPN 66, post-fight, he said the fight was still on and they are polishing the cogs. But with one fighter elusive and another moving on, things are taking a weird turn. UFC 316 PPV fight week is underway, and there might just be some new light shining on it at the end of this.

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