Jon Jones isn’t budging in terms of Tom Aspinall.
The UFC heavyweight champion stored his Twitter fingers busy late Thursday night as he wrote a sequence of feedback dismissing Aspinall—the No. 1 heavyweight within the MMA Combating International Rankings and two spots forward of Jones at No. 6 within the Pound-for-Pound Rankings—as a possible opponent and mocking his critics.
Jones wrote a motivational Thanksgiving message touting his keys to success after which responded to a number of replies concerning Aspinall.
Certain, name me duck for the following 12 months, finally Tom will lose throughout the subsequent two or three fights and my legacy will go on as the best MMA struggle ever. Finish of story. https://t.co/9XV8n92GAH
— Jonny Meat (@JonnyBones) November 29, 2024
“Certain, name me a duck for the following 12 months,” Jones wrote in response to a remark saying he’s avoiding Aspinall. “Tom will lose throughout the subsequent two or three fights and my legacy will go on as the best MMA fighter ever. Finish of story.”
For the previous 12 months, Jones has been bombarded with feedback from followers and media suggesting that he ought to defend his UFC heavyweight title towards Aspinall, the interim champion. Aspinall gained his share of the heavyweight crown in November 2023 when a bout between him and Sergei Pavlovich was booked for UFC 295 when an harm compelled Jones out of a matchup with Stipe Miococ. The British star defeated Pavlovich in 69 seconds to assert an interim title.
Slightly than pivot to Jones vs. Aspinall, Jones and the UFC favored the unique Jones vs. Miocic reserving, leaving Aspinall to efficiently defend the interim title towards Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304. Jones and Miocic finally met on Nov. 16 at UFC 309, the place Jones capped off a lopsided efficiency towards Miocic with a spectacular spin kick to the physique that resulted in a TKO.
Jones has said on many events that preventing Miocic, one of many best heavyweights in MMA historical past, was vital for his legacy. He has additionally stood agency in his perception that Aspinall, 8-1 within the UFC with wins over quite a few top-10 opponents, hasn’t carried out sufficient to earn a struggle towards him. Jones is the best fighter ever to compete at 205 kilos, however is simply 2-0 as a heavyweight.
As a substitute of Aspinall, Jones has lobbied for a bout with present mild heavyweight champion Alex Pereira. The 37-year-old has additionally recommended that relying on how future negotiations with UFC go, he might not struggle once more in any respect.
Why, I’m extremely rich, I’ve achieved all my targets within the sport, Corridor of Famer, broke many data. Severe query why ought to I struggle once more?
— Jonny Meat (@JonnyBones) November 29, 2024
“Why, I’m extremely rich, I’ve achieved all my targets within the sport, Corridor of Famer, broke many data,” Jones wrote. “Severe query why ought to I struggle once more?”
“I’d in all probability vacate the belt earlier than formally retiring,” Jones added in a subsequent message. “Let’s see how my assembly with UFC goes.”
Jones additionally insisted that being referred to as a “duck” doesn’t hassle him.
Loopy how being referred to as a ‘duck’ pays higher than most of you Web powerful guys will make in a lifetime. Two fights in 4 years and nonetheless one of many greatest names within the sport? That’s not ducking, that’s successful. God’s blessings hit totally different, keep mad.
— Jonny Meat (@JonnyBones) November 29, 2024
“Loopy how being referred to as a ‘duck’ pays higher than most of you web powerful guys will make in a lifetime,” Jones mentioned. “Two fights in 4 years and nonetheless one of many greatest names within the sport? That’s not ducking, that’s successful. God’s blessings hit totally different, keep mad.”
See extra of Jones’ feedback under.
Belief me, I get it, they’re simply working just a few years behind. Peer strain and playground insults don’t hit fairly the identical at 37. https://t.co/sT5qaQm0os
— Jonny Meat (@JonnyBones) November 29, 2024