Jon Jones has sent a cryptic tweet in the aftermath of Tom Aspinall’s latest first round knockout that appeared to set up a super-fight between the pair.
The undisputed heavyweight champion is going to face Stipe Miocic this November at Madison Square Garden for his belt. He is a massive favourite given his rival’s age and lack of activity in the past three years, and should he win Dana White has guaranteed that his next defense will be against Aspinall.
Jones has generally been dismissive of the challenge presented by the massive Brit. But after co-headlining in front of a sold-out crowd believed to be over 23,000 on pay-per-view in his hometown at UFC 304, it is beginning to appear that Aspinall’s contender position is becoming undeniable.
Tom Aspinall calls out Jon Jones after dominant UFC 304 win
In the early hours of Sunday morning local time, Tom Aspinall defended his interim title against Curtis Blaydes in a rematch that promised to be tricky for the Manchester native. His rival defeated him after a freak injury in 2022, and offered an awkward wrestling-heavy approach.
However, it only took a minute for the pair’s exchanges to result in an Aspinall knockdown, which he pounced on to land a quick finish. While Blaydes protested, the home crowd went absolutely nuts celebrating their local hero grabbing another quick win.
Aspinall immediately took to the mic, and called out the man keeping him from undisputed heavyweight champion status. “Let me just say, I just spoke to the boss man,” he began, before asking “Who wants to see Tom Aspinall against Jon Jones?”
“Hello Jon, I have nothing against you personally, but I just think I’m better than you,” he added in a final cheeky message to the legendary two-weight world champion. “I just know that I can beat you in a fight, so I am coming for it.”
Jon Jones breaks his silence after Tom Aspinall lands KO at UFC 304
In the immediate aftermath, there was radio silence from the undisputed champion, who has at times been known to reply to particular results. But he has since taken to social media, sending a cryptic message which is likely directed towards Aspinall and his supporters.
“Supply and demand at its finest,” he wrote to his 2.9million followers in a tweet which garnered 2million views in just hours. “I love it.”
The comment could be a follow-up to previous claims the heavyweight has made regarding who he wants to fight next. He has been clear that he wants fights that will make him the biggest money as he nears the end of his career, and doesn’t view Aspinall as a major mainstream star like Alex Pereira.
“As I get older, I have to look at it as a business and not just speak out of pride, but speak as my legacy and as a business,” he told the OverDogs Podcast earlier this year. “If the hardcore fans know who these guys are, that’s great.
“But at the end of the day I have to fight people that the mainstream public is going to be excited about. Because when you’re in my position, there’s always going to be this new challenge that’s younger than you that everyone wants to see you do it one more time.”
Dana White backs Tom Aspinall for next shot at heavyweight title
However, it may not be up to Jones who he fights next if UFC boss Dana White gets his way. Speaking to the press after yesterday’s event, he said that the unification of Aspinall’s interim belt and Jones’ undisputed one must be next at heavyweight should he get through Miocic.
“Jon Jones is no dummy,” he explained. “He has a very fight IQ and he knows what Aspinall has got and what he’s about. I think we’re going to have to see what happens with this fight with Stipe and see where Jon’s head is or if Stipe wins where his head is.
“Let’s see what they want to do, is it their last fight, are they going to retire? I think if Stipe wins, he probably will. But I think if Jon Jones win I just think that the competitive spirit that he has and the desire to prove that he’s the best [will make him continue fighting].
“Especially when people are saying he’s, you know, possibly the best ever. I think that’s the kind of s*** that fires Jon Jones up.”
- Who is Tom Aspinall? Step inside the life of the UFC Heavyweight Champion and Tyson Fury sparring partner