Jon Jones reveals Tom Aspinall AGREEMENT after UFC fans demand Dana White strip him of belt
JON JONES has sent UFC fans into a frenzy by revealing he has an agreement in place with Tom Aspinall.
The pair, 37 and 32 respectively, have been on course for a historic heavyweight title unification bout since last November.
Advertisement
4
Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall have been on a collision course for nearly two years
Credit: INSTAGRAM@TOMASPINALL
4
Jones has keep MMA fans on tenterhooks with his next move
Credit: GETTY
4
The UFC icon has claimed to have reached an agreement with Aspinall
Credit: GETTY
Their mammoth melee, however, has yet to come to fruition - despite the UFC's meeting of Jones'
MMA fans have been left on tenterhooks by Jones over the last few weeks as the former pound-for-pound king has toed and froed with the prospect of retirement.
The Hall of Famer claimed last month that UFC brass are aware of his plans and insisted he's not holding Aspinall back in any way, shape or form.
And during a recent seminar in Phuket in
Thailand
, he claimed he and Aspinall have agreed not to divulge any details of their proposed fight or the
future
of the division before the UFC.
Advertisement
READ MORE ON JONES VS ASPINALL
In a video from the seminar, a fan asked Jones: "When are you fighting Tom?"
The former long-reigning light-heavyweight king replied: "I was waiting for it.
"The UFC, I, and Tom we all have a lot of stuff happening behind the scenes. They're one of the biggest organisations in sports.
"Right now, Tom and I have agreed to wait for the UFC to make their announcements, so I legally can't really talk about it.'
Advertisement
Most read in Sport
JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS
4
Jones' comments sent UFC fans into meltdon, with many divided over his statement.
One said: Holy s**t! I told all of you."
Advertisement
Jon Jones Blasts UFC Rival Tom Aspinall In X-Rated Rant
Another said: "It's happening."
And another sad: "Wait for the UFC to make the announcement… of his retirement! Will not believe it till I see it, thanks."
One remarked: "Cant wait for Jones to beat Aspinall's ass and end this."
"Another chimed in: "Going to announce he's taking a break and vacating belt."
Advertisement
Jones' comments came just days after a recent interview in which he admitted he's undecided about his fighting future aired.
During an appearance on
"I do feel like I'll be a lifelong martial artist whether I'm coaching others or taking exhibition matches and things like that.
Tom and I have agreed to wait for the UFC to make their announcements."
Jon Jones
"There's a lot of great competition still in the UFC. I do view myself as more than a fighter.
Advertisement
"Being in my position, I feel like I have a lot more options than a lot of the other fighters as far as the ability to leave and return.
"And so right now I'm just focusing on love, happiness, kindness.
"We're at the quarter-century mark, and this year should be a really special year."
Jones hasn't set foot inside the octagon since his Madison Square Garden mauling of Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 last November.
Advertisement
Wigan warrior
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
35 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
Love Island casting comes under fire AGAIN after it's revealed star had TikTok account where he ‘secretly films women'
AXED Love Island hunk Kyle Ashman took part in 'misogynistic' videos with a pal where they secretly filmed women. 3 Kyle was axed from the show earlier this week Credit: Instagram Now it has been revealed that he had a joint TikTok and YouTube page with a friend called Fin Musker. Whilst the joint pages have been wiped of content, a source has told The Sun that the videos involved them 'picking up girls and filming them without knowledge'. The source added that the videos 'displayed misogynistic behaviour towards women'. Some content still online shows Fin and Kyle out on the town, kissing women and speaking to them in bars. READ MORE ON LOVE ISLAND When approached about the videos, Kyle did not wish to comment. It raises further question marks about ITV's vetting process for its reality shows. Earlier this week Kyle was sent packing from Majorca after The Sun alerted show bosses that he had been arrested on suspicion of a machete attack and was only cleared by police last month - meaning he would've been in discussion with authorities whilst auditioning for Love Island. ITV chiefs sent him home from Most read in Love Island A source said: 'All of the online content had been cleared so may not have come up on surface level checks, but for this kind of show far deeper trawls should be in place. 'ITV has steered clear of OnlyFans stars in the past and Kyle's link to one - particularly taking part in joint content of a misogynistic nature - is surely not in keeping with Love Island being a family show.' Love Island's Kyle Ashman reveals he wants show return as Casa Amor hunk after being axed over machete attack on dad ITV declined to comment. Sources said the channel was unaware of the incident and he was not flagged as part of contestant checks. The victim, 38, nearly lost his arm. He was rushed to hospital for emergency treatment and kept in for around two weeks. Another mourner was glassed, one struck with a metal pole, and two people run over by a car during the 15 minutes of terror at a social club. Ashman, who lives in the town, was one of two men to be nicked on suspicion of affray then bailed. Police confirmed that after the matter had been investigated the pair were released with no further action only last month. Speaking after he was axed from the show, he said: "I'm not a bad guy, honestly. I'm a normal guy from a normal place. An opportunity arose to find love and I grabbed it with both hands, and it's been taken away from me. "I've seen the support pages and, who knows, maybe I'll get the chance to go on Casa Amor or as a bombshell, go back in and show you who I really am. Show you I'm not a bad guy. We'll see." 3 He was quizzed by cops over a machete attack that happened in February Credit: Instagram/@kyleashmantr 3 He was released without charge and insists he's a normal guy Credit: Instagram Troubled history of telly hit By Jonathan Kanengoni LOVE Island has been hit by a string of controversies since it first aired in 2015. Malia Arkian lasted just three hours before she was marched out by security in its second year after pushing co-contestant Kady McDermott for spilling wine on her. Sherif Lanre was booted off after nine days in 2019. He had made a vile joke after accidentally kicking fan fave Molly-Mae Hague in the crotch during a play fight. In the same year Women's Aid complained of contestant Joe Garratt's 'abusive' behaviour towards on-screen partner Lucie Donlan. She broke down in tears after he told her to stay away from the other lads. Ollie Williams left after three days in 2020 when he realised he still had feelings for his ex. But his exit came amid mounting pressure on bosses to remove him after pictures of him allegedly trophy hunting came to light. Salesman Haris Namani was dumped in 2023 after The Sun revealed footage of him in a street brawl. The show has also been accused of failing to look after islanders' mental health when filming stops. Sophie Gradon took her own life, aged 32, two years after she appeared on Love Island 2016. And Mike Thalassitis's suicide in 2019, at 26, prompted calls for better after-care by reality shows. In 2022, watchdog Ofcom received 3,600 complaints in a week over alleged misogynistic behaviour by some of the male contestants. And this year it received thousands of complaints about All Stars contestant Elma Pazar's bullying of Ekin- Su Culculoglu during a row.
The Irish Sun
35 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
Total outsider enters the running to be 007 as Hollywood star lands new James Bond voiceover job
A TOTAL outsider has entered the running to be 007 as the Hollywood star lands a new James Bond voiceover job. Speculation over who will replace Daniel Craig in the iconic role has been heating up for months but fans think they have worked it out. 5 Everyone is excited to find out who will replace Daniel Craig as James Bond Credit: Alamy 5 The new Bond game is called First Light 007 Credit: IO Interactive 5 Patrick Gibson plays the main character in the prequel of the hit show Dexter Credit: Getty IO Interactive in collaboration with Amazon eMGM Studios, have officially unveiled 007 First Light. Which is a new, standalone, story-driven action-adventure game offering a fresh reimagining of James Bond's origins. It is set for release in 2026, and will be available on PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 5 Pro, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store. And Patrick Gibson from Dexter: Original Sin has been cast as the voice of 007 in the new computer game. James Bond Fans are therefore convinced he will go on to play Bond in the cinema. Taking to social media one Bond fan said: "The new James Bond is 100% played by Patrick Gibson. "He's an Irish actor who I know as playing Dexter in Dexter: Original Sin." Another added: "Unless I'm mistaken, our new game Bond is being played by Patrick Gibson. Most read in News TV "Another Irish Bond in the bag, can't argue with that! "Also… the scar down the cheek from the books , FINALLY!!!" James Bond expert drops huge hint about new 007 actor after he starred in movie with huge A-list actress A third exclaimed: "Patrick Gibson as James Bond?!? This is peak casting." "100% played by Patrick Gibson AKA Dexter Morgan," added another. Another fan said: " So James Bond is definitely played by Patrick Gibson from Dexter Original Sin." "'Hello, James Bond. Morgan. Dexter Morgan," agreed another. All the stars lined up for James Bond Ever since Daniel Craig quit, 007 fans have been keen to know who will step into his tux - here's the major players in the race. Aaron Taylor-Johnson Theo James Patrick Schwarzenegger Tom Holland Henry Cavill James Norton Tom Hardy Harris Dickinson Patrick Gibson While another excited Bond fan exclaimed: "So not only am I getting a new Bond game I AM GETTING PATRICK GIBSON AS JAMES BOND! THIS IS THE BEST DAY OF ALL THE DAYS!" 007 First Light follows a young 26-year-old old Bond straight out of the Royal Navy, as he embarks on his origin story to earn his Double-O and the Licence to Kill that comes with it. Irish actor, Patrick, 30, is best known for playing the young Dexter Morgan in Dexter: Original Sin but he has also featured in The Tudors, Shadow and Bone and the film Tolkien. However, whether he will go on to play Bond in his cinematic role remains unknown still. And many actors are in the running for the career making role. His performance in the next actor to fill the shoes of 007. Other names still in the running include Famed for the Kick-Ass movie series and the Marvel movie Avengers: Age of Ultron, The Sun previously exclusively revealed how . And with his quintessential Englishman good looks, James Norton has been a hot contender for the next Bond for many years. The chiselled star is known for playing the lead role of Sidney Chambers in Also in the running is Jack Lowden , known for BBC gangster drama The and the TV hit Slow Horses. 5 Patrick is known for a wealth of television shows including Shadow and Bone Credit: Getty 5 Patrick plays a younger Dexter in the smash hit show Credit: Paramount+
Irish Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Shauna Bannon: "With the good and the bad days, I still have my son"
Irish UFC fighter Shauna Bannon has cited her son Jayce as her biggest motivator as she pushes for success in the UFC strawweight division. "Mama B" is 7-1 in professional MMA, with the 31-year-old's only loss coming in her UFC debut against Bruna Brasil. She told the Irish Mirror: "I thought I was motivated before I had him, but now it's just on a different level. I could be having such a bad day, a bad training session, or I'm injured or whatever, and I still get to go home and he's there, making me laugh and joke. "I remember when I lost my debut, I felt like s***. And then I got to go home to him, and he just put a smile back on my face. "With the good and the bad days, I still have him, and that's huge to me." While providing for her son is now Bannon's biggest motivation, it was her father who sparked her love for kickboxing. "Only the other day, my main kickboxing gym, Tallaght Martial Arts, my Dad's gym, was moving to a new location and clearing up, and I was looking at the collages on the walls of photos from all over the years. "I actually got so emotional seeing those photos. I was crying because I was thinking that I don't know where I'd be today if my Dad had never got me into kickboxing. "Normally young girls go into dancing or singing or something completely different. So, I'm so grateful that my Dad put me on that journey, and it led me to the path that I'm on now. "I can't imagine what my life would be like if I didn't do kickboxing. I literally get to live every day doing what I love. And I couldn't imagine it being any different. "My Dad is still in my corner now when I fight in the UFC and it's really special to have him there." Bannon is unsure whether kickboxing or jiu jitsu is her main discipline, as she practised so much jiu jitsu during her early career that she is now used to both styles. She explained: "When I first started, I soon realised that I needed to learn how to do jujitsu, because I had no background in it. I'd never even watched it. So, it wasn't like I even had a slight idea about it. I had to learn everything from scratch. "I remember my first sparring session, I was like, kick, kick, kick, and I just got double-legged [a jiu jitsu takedown]. And then I was on the ground and I didn't know what to do there. "So, I spent a good chunk of the first, probably year and a half, just doing jujitsu. I actually stopped doing striking completely. "Sometimes I'd take a half day from work to make the lunchtime class. I was sometimes doing jujitsu three times a day, because I just felt like I really needed to catch up. But now, to be honest, if you had to make me choose, and I got paid the same for striking or jujitsu, I'd probably do jujitsu." She revealed that by the time she turned pro, the Dubliner had a multitude of suitors for promotions, before settling on Invicta Fighting Championships, which is an all-women's series. She said: "I had one from Ares, I had one from Cage Warriors, I had one from Oktagon, I had one from KSW. And then I had one from Invicta. And there was PSL [as well]. "I had to do the pros and cons, and I wrote out. It wasn't even about the money at that stage because I had to think long term, you know, I was offered more money with different promotions. "But I went with Invicta because I did see it as the stepping stone to get into the UFC. And luckily it worked out. "I was originally offered an opportunity for the Contender Series, and then they actually just contacted me again, said they watched more of my fights and they wanted to sign me straight away. "Then they had an opponent for me and then I fought on the UFC London, so it all happened very, very fast. "There wasn't a lot of time to kind of digest it, but I'm so grateful for the opportunity that the UFC has given me and Invicta because they were an amazing promotion to fight with as well. Bannon thanked OnlyFans for the ability to pursue a fighting career as funding can be limited without sponsorship, especially at lower levels. "The sponsorship that I have with OnlyFans has given me that financial security because fighters don't get paid a lot, especially at the start. "And since my last fight and the partnership with OnlyFans, I'm financially secure, which takes a huge weight off my shoulders because I'm a single mother. I still have bills to pay. "It's a good way of getting closer to my fans as well because sometimes on other platforms, I wouldn't be able to connect with them in that way. "So it kind of gives that other connection with the fans as well that you're not normally able to give." She is hoping for two more UFC fights before the end of the year. "I'm hoping to fight again this summer. I'm just waiting on confirmation. And then if I do fight in the summer, I'd love to fight again before the end of the year. "I like to keep the momentum going and be active, as active as I can." OnlyFans has a huge range of sport creators offering exclusive behind the scenes content and insights into their training, including boxers, tennis stars, and MMA fighters. Fans can check out Shauna Bannon's OnlyFans at:
