The list of prominent names calling for Jon Jones to relinquish the UFC heavyweight title is growing.
Since Jones defeated Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 to defend his belt for the first time, the heavyweight division has seen little but uncertainty.
While most think the next step in the heavyweight title picture should be simple, Jones continues to publicly dismiss Tom Aspinall despite the Brit’s status as interim champion.
Widespread anger has been clear, owing to a viral petition calling for the UFC to strip Jones of his title. And it’s not just fans who’ve been left frustrated.
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Alexandre Pantoja tells Jon Jones that Tom Aspinall ‘deserves’ better
A number of current and former fighters have expressed their displeasure with Jones’ current stance, which has seen him hint toward retirement but continue to hold the heavyweight title.
The latest to give their take was UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja, who admitted the situation is “sad” during a recent interview.
“Jon Jones is a very special fighter, everybody loves him, but what is happening now is sad,” Pantoja said.
“Maybe it’s time to say bye. Tom Aspinall deserves this fight, we deserve to see this fight. It’s not right that Aspinall is standing by.
“Nobody is going to judge Jon Jones, he doesn’t need to fight Aspinall, but if he doesn’t want to fight and he wants to retire, then I think he has to say bye,” Pantoja added. “I hope Aspinall is still training and in the gym and he doesn’t waste his time.
“Jon is enjoying his life, and he deserves it.”
Pantoja’s reign has significantly differed from Jones’, as ‘The Cannibal’ has already defended the flyweight title three times in less than two years.
The Brazilian’s fourth will come against Kai Kara-France at UFC 317 on June 28.
Alexander Volkanovski shares the same sentiment about Jon Jones
Pantoja’s comments come shortly after a similar assessment was made by one of his fellow reigning UFC champions.
During an appearance on the Overdogs Podcast, featherweight kingpin Alexander Volkanovski also urged Jones to retire should he have no plans to unify the title against Aspinall.
“If you’re the champ, you defend your belt — it’s a responsibility,” Volkanovski said. “You can’t just sit out.
“You need to be reasonably active. You need to fight whoever’s there. If you’ve got an interim champ, that’s a no-brainer.
“I don’t want to throw heaps of shade, but look, I know he’s proved himself, everyone’s like, ‘Look what he’s done, it’s fine.’ No, not really.
“Don’t hold up the division. I know your résumé is incredible. You’re considered the greatest of all time,” Volkanovski added. “So if you don’t want to fight, just retire, you’re done.”
In his latest comments on the situation, White maintained that efforts are ongoing to make the Jones vs. Aspinall fight happen, even claiming that the American did at one point accept it.