Jon Jones Shocks: Skips Tom Aspinall, Goes Abroad to Coach TUF Against Nate Diaz

Current UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones has once again stirred up the MMA world by announcing he wants six more months of recovery before stepping into the Octagon to unify the title with interim champ Tom Aspinall. While fans are eagerly waiting for the heavyweight showdown, this delay casts doubt over whether the fight will happen any time soon — or even at all in 2025.

Tom Aspinall – The Forgotten Interim King

Tom Aspinall, the UK-born rising star, captured the UFC interim heavyweight title in electrifying fashion by knocking out Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 295. Since then, he’s held onto the interim belt — making him the longest-reigning interim champion in UFC history — but not by choice.

Despite his calls to unify the belt against Jon Jones, the fight remains in limbo. With Jones now requesting half a year more to heal and prepare, the unification bout may not materialize until late 2025, if at all.

“If Jon wants six more months, let him rest. I’ve waited my entire career for this moment, and I’m not letting it slip away,” Aspinall said in a social media post.

Jon Jones Heads Abroad to Coach Combat Reality Show

Adding to the uncertainty, Jon Jones is set to leave the United States to coach in a foreign-based combat sports reality series titled ALF Global. The project is described as a TUF-style (The Ultimate Fighter) format hosted in Russia. Jones will serve as head coach for a rising talent who’s expected to face UFC legend Nate Diaz on the show.

Although no official release date or streaming details have been announced, sources suggest the show is aiming for a Q3 or Q4 2025 premiere, conveniently aligning with the timeline Jones gave for his UFC return.

This diversion could be a major reason for the extended layoff. Rather than preparing for a unification bout with Aspinall, Jones is investing time in international coaching and production work, further frustrating fans and critics alike.

UFC’s Silence – A Signal of Favoritism?

The UFC has yet to put pressure on Jones to unify the title, despite having an active interim champion in Aspinall. Some argue that this shows preferential treatment from Dana White and the promotion’s brass, who seem willing to give Jones more flexibility than any other champion.

This could be due to the UFC’s current star power crisis. With the likes of Conor McGregor inactive, Khabib Nurmagomedov retired, and Francis Ngannou out of the UFC, Jon Jones remains the last active superstar with true mainstream appeal.

“Right now, UFC needs Jones more than Jones needs UFC,” one analyst noted on a recent MMA podcast.

Jones’ History of Strategic Delays

This isn’t the first time Jon Jones has delayed a major fight. Throughout his career, he has frequently pulled out due to injuries, suspensions, and personal controversies. Yet every time he returns, he shows why he’s widely considered the GOAT (Greatest of All Time) in MMA.

His last appearance was a dominant submission win over Ciryl Gane at UFC 285, which earned him the heavyweight title. He was then scheduled to face Stipe Miocic at UFC 309, but a serious shoulder injury during training forced him to withdraw. This opened the door for Aspinall to step in and claim interim gold — but also ignited a new wave of speculation about whether Jones still truly wants to fight at the highest level.

Fans Furious as Aspinall Waits in Limbo

The MMA community is growing increasingly impatient with the delays. Social media has been flooded with reactions:

• “Aspinall deserves his shot now!”

• “Jones is clearly waiting for Miocic to come back. He doesn’t want Aspinall.”

• “Strip Jones if he doesn’t unify within 6 months!”

Many fans feel Aspinall is being punished for being too good, too early, while Jones continues to hold up the division with no consequences. There are even whispers that Aspinall may defend his interim belt against someone else — possibly Sergei Pavlovich again, or Curtis Blaydes — if the Jones fight doesn’t materialize soon.

Aspinall vs Jones – Getting Further Apart?

What once seemed like an inevitable showdown is now a huge question mark. With Jon Jones prioritizing coaching and overseas appearances and Tom Aspinall growing restless, it’s fair to ask: Is the unification fight even going to happen?

The UFC now faces three possible paths:

1. Allow Jones to continue delaying and keep the unification bout on hold.

2. Strip Jones of the undisputed title if he cannot compete within a reasonable time.

3. Schedule Jones vs. Aspinall for late 2025, turning it into the biggest fight of the year.

For Aspinall, time is both an ally and an enemy. While he remains in top form and is eager to compete, every month that passes without a fight chips away at his momentum and public exposure.

Reality Show Coaching – A Strategic Retreat or a Red Herring?

Jones’ decision to coach on ALF Global could also be viewed as a calculated move. By staying in the spotlight through media exposure rather than risking a loss to a younger, hungrier fighter like Aspinall, Jones extends his brand longevity.

Interestingly, past UFC stars like Khamzat Chimaev and Arman Tsarukyan have also participated in international TUF-style programs, showing how these shows are becoming a popular off-ramp for elite fighters looking to stay relevant without the physical toll of constant competition.

And let’s not forget, Jones has a long history of delaying fights, then returning with dominant performances. Could this just be another smart delay tactic?

Conclusion: UFC Heavyweight Division Held Hostage?

At its core, this situation reflects a power struggle between Jon Jones’ legacy, Tom Aspinall’s rise, and UFC’s promotional needs. With the heavyweight title technically split, the organization is walking a tightrope between appeasing a legend and respecting the merit of an interim champ.

If the unification fight does happen — and that’s still a big if — it could go down as one of the biggest heavyweight fights in UFC history. But until then, the division remains in limbo, and fans are left waiting… again.