UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones has teased a “huge announcement”, with fans hoping for confirmation of a fight against Tom Aspinall.
On Wednesday (5 February), Jones tweeted: “In 24 hours I’ll be making a huge announcement! #Andstill.” Yet fans would be disappointed by anything other than news of a clash with Aspinall, who holds the interim heavyweight title.
Jones, 37, last fought in November, stopping heavyweight great Stipe Miocic to retain the regular title. That bout came one year after it was initially due to take place, as a torn pectoral muscle kept Jones out of action.
Shortly after Jones suffered his injury in November 2023, Aspinall knocked out Sergei Pavlovich to win the interim belt, seemingly setting him up for a unification fight with Jones. But the latter’s rescheduled meeting with Miocic led Aspinall to defend the interim gold in July – a rare move in the UFC.
Aspinall, fighting on home turf in Manchester, England, knocked out Curtis Blaydes to retain his title, but Jones remained dismissive of the 31-year-old before and after beating Miocic.
Therefore, the route to what should have been a guaranteed unification fight has been remarkably rocky. Fans have even called on Jones to vacate his belt or retire, if the American does not wish to face Aspinall.
It remains to be seen whether Jones vs Aspinall will be confirmed, but UFC commentator Jon Anik offered alternative theories on what Jones’s announcement could be.
Anik told Submission Radio on Thursday: “Well, if the announcement is not that he is fighting Tom Aspinall during International Fight Week this summer, then I’m not sure what our relative appetite is for said announcement.
“Now, certainly it stands to reason that there could be some major theatrical role or sponsorship agreement. I do believe that Jon Jones is going to make millions of dollars as an actor. I think the vocal quality, the appetite to act is such that he’s gonna do really well in that world.
“But can we all hope and pray and believe that Jon Jones vs Aspinall [will] headline International Fight Week 2025, what am I missing?”
Jones, a former two-time light-heavyweight champion, is considered by many fans and pundits to be the greatest fighter in UFC history. However, his career has been marred by numerous failed drug tests and multiple run-ins with the law. His sole loss in MMA came via disqualification in 2009.
Meanwhile, Aspinall has built a record of 15-3, securing all of his wins via stoppage. His only UFC defeat came via injury in 2023, in his first fight with Blaydes.
