UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones has hit back at Tom Aspinall‘s claims that he is holding up the division, arguing that the next two heavyweights aren’t even a main event and that he is on the right path to return in November.
Tom Aspinall didn’t mince words, accusing Jon Jones, the reigning UFC heavyweight champ, of stalling the division. Jones didn’t let that slide. He was quick to fire back.
Dana White, UFC CEO, recently announced a match-up between Aspinall and Curtis Blaydes. The co-main event at UFC 304, scheduled for July 27, will see the interim heavyweight title up for grabs. Aspinall didn’t hold back in a reaction video he posted after the announcement. He took a jab at Jones, who’s been MIA since a torn pectoral muscle sidelined him from a face-off with Stipe Miocic last November.
Aspinall’s words? “Usually, when the champ is coming back, the interim [champion] would obviously fight the champ,” he said. “Jon Jones is holding shit up, let’s be honest. He’s playing games.”
Jones had a comeback of his own. He took to Twitter to remind Aspinall that he’s defending his belt in a co-headlining slot. The main event? Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad in a welterweight title fight, happening in Manchester, England. Jones pointed out that an undisputed title always trumps an interim belt. That’s why Aspinall had to fight in the co-main event against Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 295.
“Trolls telling me I’m slowing down the division by getting injured,” Jones wrote. “Meanwhile, the next two heavyweights aren’t even a main event? interesting. I’m on the right path, I got until November to remind the world. Again.”
Jones had initially announced his return on Nov. 9 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. This tweet has since been deleted. Madison Square Garden is a regular stop for the UFC.
There’s no official word yet on whether Jones vs. Miocic will headline the UFC’s return to New York in November. But it’s clear that Jones has his sights set on that.
As for Aspinall and Blaydes, Jones had a clear message for them. They should fight for the chance to face the real champion after he’s done with Miocic later this year. “Curtis versus Tom for the official No. 1 contender spot!” Jones said.