Jon
Jones has taken notice of Tom
Aspinall’s suggestion that he be
stripped of the UFC heavyweight crown.
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Jones, who was forced to withdraw from the UFC 295 headliner
against Stipe
Miocic due to a torn pectoral, issued a strong response on
Monday to the recently-crowned interim champion on social
media.
“I’ve faced the absolute toughest competition this world had to
offer for 15 years now,” Jones wrote. “During camp for a title
defense I sustained a major injury that required surgery for the
first time in my career. Now I have newcomers requesting I get my
championship stripped. Zero wins over legends, zero title defenses
and already thinking you can call the shots to Dana, that’s
hilarious.
“In my 15 year career I have seen so many guys who are supposed to
be the next big thing. There’s ever only been one Jon Jones, never
forget that.”
I’ve faced the absolute toughest competition
this world had to offer for 15 years now. During camp for a title
defense I sustained a major injury that required surgery for the
first time in my career. Now I have newcomers requesting I get my
championship stripped. Zero wins over…— BONY (@JonnyBones)
December 4, 2023
After UFC 295 lost its original main event, Aspinall stepped in
against Sergei
Pavlovich with the interim belt on the line. The Englishman
captured the title in impressive fashion, knocking out his Russian
foe 69 seconds into the opening stanza.
In most cases, the interim title holder would be next in line to
face the reigning champion, but this isn’t a typical situation. UFC
CEO Dana White has stated on multiple occasions that Jones vs.
Miocic will be rebooked at some point in 2024. White reiterated
that point at the UFC Austin post-fight press conference this past
Saturday.
“The Stipe fight has to happen,” White said. “Yeah, you know, both
of those guys deserve it. You’ve got the greatest mixed martial
artist of all time vs. the greatest heavyweight of all time.
They’ve paid their dues; they’ve done their thing. These two want
to fight each other and it’s going to happen. Whoever wins, we’ll
see what they decide to do after that, and then we’ll go from
there.”