Jon Jones' latest reason to delay UFC return: 'I see the way people look at me'

USA Today

7 hours ago

Jon Jones' latest reason to delay UFC return: 'I see the way people look at me'
Jon Jones' game of cat and mouse continues with Tom Aspinall, the UFC, his fanbase and his increasing number of detractors.
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jones (28-1 MMA, 22-1 UFC) won the vacant heavyweight title in March 2023 after more than three years removed from the sport. He beat Stipe Miocic to defend the title in November 2024.
But now as the UFC's heavyweight "champion," he's been leaning into the narrative that he's ducking a title unification bout with interim champ Tom Aspinall (15-3 MMA, 8-1 UFC), who has declared himself the rightful titleholder since Jones continues to delay a matchup. There has been growing discontent in the MMA community over Jones' apparent unwillingness to line up a fight with Aspinall, to the point there's a petition urging the UFC to strip him of his title.
Aspinall has tried to steer the story toward Jones being retired, and Jones has done little to dispel that theory – including on a new podcast in which the host admitted to drinking multiple tequila shots with Jones at his Dirty Boxing event in Florida prior to the interview.
At the start of the segment, Jones is asked if he ever fought in Canada. He recalled his fight against Alexander Gustafsson, "years ago," as the only time he ever fought in the country – "in Montreal." Jones fought Gustafsson in Toronto. He also fought Vitor Belfort in Toronto. And Lyoto Machida in Toronto. Jones never has fought in Montreal.
Geography knowledge and fight recollection aside, the big takeaway from the segment is that Jones said he has no current interest in fighting – which would seem to make booking a fight against Aspinall a challenge.
"I don't want to say I'm retired because fighting is in my blood. Right now, I could really care less about fighting. I've been doing it my entire life at a very high level. When the itch comes back, and if it comes back, then I'll do it with my whole heart. I'll do it to the best of my abilities.
"But right now, I look around at what's true and what's real. I see the way people look at me and how I make people feel, and it's an extraordinary thing. It's a true blessing. Now my job is to serve that – to give that to my fans, be reachable, be touchable, to let them know who I am inside. That's who I am right now."
UFC CEO Dana White recently said Jones agreed to fight Aspinall, but the paperwork is yet to be signed. But that's been a steady story for months and months. White also said this week if Jones' stalling continues, a decision will have to be made.
Jones also talked about his relationship with White and the potential for former UFC heavyweight champ Francis Ngannou to return to the promotion in the segment (link above).