Jon Jones claims he has nothing left to prove after fighting Stipe Miocic.
Jones hasn’t fought winning the heavyweight title with a submission win against Ciryl Gane on his return to action after three years at UFC 285 in March 2023. The former light heavyweight champ remains intent on defending his title against Stipe Miocic, a fight that was canceled at UFC 295 after Jones suffered a pectoral injury. That bout has been rumored for UFC 309 in November, although the matchup is yet to be officially announced. Jones has repeatedly hinted at retirement following the Miocic matchup, much to the ire of interim champ Tom Aspinall, who has long been rallying for a title unifier.
Jones recently doubled down on his plans to retire unless the UFC makes him an offer he can’t refuse. A fan recently asked Jones’ opinion on footage of Aspinall wrestling retired rugby player Ugo Monye. Apparently unimpressed by Aspinall, Jones said he remains focused on Miocic, who was a NCAA Division I wrestler at Cleveland State University.
“Looks like Tom displaying that amazing UK wrestling,” Jones wrote on X. “My focus is on Stipe, he actually wrestled [Division I]. Best heavyweight of all time as of right now. Maybe Tom will go on and beat Stipe’s record one day. Right now I’m focusing on GOAT things.”
Looks like Tom displaying that amazing UK wrestling. My focus is on stipe, he actually wrestled division one. Best heavyweight of all time as of right now. Maybe Tom will go on and beat stipes record one day, right now I’m focusing on goat things. https://t.co/5qpMhdsE3x
— BONY (@JonnyBones) August 20, 2024
Jones then continued to downplay a potential matchup against Aspinall, which he claims has never been offered to him. “Bones” repeatedly defended his retirement plans, claiming his already cemented legacy won’t be altered if he doesn’t take one “random” fight. According to Jones, he should ideally fight Miocic and ride off into the sunset.
The beauty of being in my position is that I’m not characterized by a single fight. Many of you have seen me emerge victorious throughout my career.
— BONY (@JonnyBones) August 20, 2024
A video has recently come to light that shows me claiming that Francis would be the only fight I’d be interested in after Stipe. However, it’s worth noting that this footage was taken over a year ago, prior to my injury and before an interim champion was declared. At that time, I had already…
— BONY (@JonnyBones) August 20, 2024
There are fighters literally all over the world that think in the back of their mind I can beat Jon Jones. There will be no statues of you. Go out and win more, make your name greater, that is the only way you do it.
— BONY (@JonnyBones) August 20, 2024
I’m 37 years old now, I’ve kicked everyone’s ass. My job is to finish strong and make an amazing movie. go join Tom Brady, Floyd Mayweather, and all the other retired bad asses.
— BONY (@JonnyBones) August 20, 2024
Whenever fans accused Jones of ducking Aspinall, “Bones” laughed it off as them begging him to return because the heavyweight division isn’t interesting without him. And Jones is keeping the door open for that, if the UFC comes up with an extraordinary offer.
It feels good to know on the way out your sport was literally begging you to continue. You never know, maybe the Ufc will offer me a deal I can’t refuse. https://t.co/l5GlibxZzP
— BONY (@JonnyBones) August 20, 2024
Haha man, you guys have been really begging me lately. Is the heavyweight division really that boring without me? https://t.co/SuNWaKYFFC
— BONY (@JonnyBones) August 20, 2024
That’s fair https://t.co/QD7iAbzREU
— BONY (@JonnyBones) August 20, 2024
Aspinall has been taking numerous shots at Jones and most recently posted a skit mocking the champ. Responding to Jones’ latest tweets, Aspinall wonders whether it was the skit or his skills that influenced the retirement plans. Aspinall asked Jones to pass him the title if he beats Miocic, whom the Brit now refers to as Joe Biden.
“Wonder if it was that video or my fighting that retired him?” Miocic wrote on his Instagram stories. “Please make sure you pass me the belt on the way out of the Octagon if you beat Biden.”
Tom Aspinall responds to Jon Jones
“Please make sure to pass me the belt on the way out of the octagon if you beat Biden.”
(via. IG / @AspinallMMA) #UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/CGUWZ3HSzH
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) August 20, 2024
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