Jon Jones brutally mocked Tom Aspinall with a three-word taunt that angered fans.

Jon Jones has once again stirred the pot in the UFC heavyweight title drama, taking a not-so-subtle jab at interim champion Tom Aspinall amid ongoing criticism and frustration from fans. With the long-anticipated title unification bout still without a confirmed date, tensions continue to rise. In the latest twist, Jones has reignited debate over his intentions — not with punches, but with a pointed three-word dig: “Everything but fighting.”

The line, dropped casually on Instagram, has sent ripples through the MMA world. It came shortly after Jones announced a seminar in Thailand, rather than a fight announcement, pushing fans closer to the edge as they clamor for a matchup against Tom Aspinall, a bout that many believe will define the future of the division.

The Fight Fans Are Dying For

Ever since Tom Aspinall knocked out Sergei Pavlovich in just 69 seconds last November at UFC 295, the conversation has centered around one thing: when will he fight Jon Jones? The British powerhouse, now 32, claimed the interim heavyweight championship and immediately called out Jones to unify the belts.

Jones, 37, is the reigning undisputed UFC heavyweight champion after defeating Ciryl Gane in March 2023. While he was originally slated to defend the title against Stipe Miocic in late 2023, a pectoral injury forced him out of the bout, and he has remained sidelined ever since.

That inactivity has become a major source of frustration. Not just for fans, but for Aspinall, who has stayed ready, stayed vocal, and stayed sidelined.

“Everything but Fighting” — The Jab That Sparked a Firestorm

Jones recently posted a promotional announcement for an upcoming MMA seminar at Bangtao MMA in Thailand, a world-class gym that has hosted the likes of Petr Yan, Alexander Volkanovski, and more. But it wasn’t the event that drew attention — it was the comment.

On the joint Instagram post with Bangtao MMA, Jones wrote: “Everything but fighting.” A phrase that could have been shrugged off in another context suddenly became a brutal self-own — or calculated provocation — given the circumstances.

Fans were swift and unforgiving in the comments:

“Fight Tom Aspinall, you duck.”

“At least you know you’re ducking.”

“Literally everything except fighting Tom.”

One user cut to the core: “That’s fine, we all know who the real champ is.”

These are not fringe voices — this is a growing majority of MMA die-hards who feel that the UFC’s most prestigious belt is being held hostage.

Dana White Breaks Silence: “We’ll Get Aspinall vs Jones Done”

Just days before Jones’ comment ignited fan backlash, UFC President Dana White addressed the issue during an Instagram Live. And this time, there were no vague statements or half-promises — just a clear assurance.

“We’ll get Aspinall vs Jones done,” White said. “The heavyweight fight will happen. Just relax, I’ll announce that soon.”

This is the first time White has guaranteed the bout publicly, which has sparked renewed hope that the unification clash may finally be confirmed for late 2024 or early 2025. However, given the UFC’s history of last-minute cancellations and shifting schedules, fans remain skeptical.

Jon Jones Fires Back: “I Don’t Know If It’s Ducking When You’re Living Good”

After catching wind of the blowback, Jon Jones addressed the critics directly in an Instagram Live of his own. His tone? Unbothered, confident, and dismissive.

“I’ve got people in the chat calling me a duck,” Jones said. “Meanwhile, I’m living my absolute best life. I don’t know if it’s considered ducking when you’re living good. I don’t think it works like that.”

He’s not entirely wrong. Jones has nothing left to prove in terms of legacy. He’s already defeated eight former champions, ruled the light heavyweight division for nearly a decade, and added heavyweight gold to his résumé. But the question remains: if greatness matters, why avoid Aspinall?

Retirement Rumors Shut Down — “My Best is Yet to Come”

Adding to the ambiguity surrounding his future, Jones also posted a reflective message alongside photos of his “wall of victory”, a home collection of framed UFC posters from his storied career.

“Now, as you can see… still haven’t framed or hung the Stipe fight yet,” he wrote. “Been moving a million miles an hour lately. But there’s one last perfect spot left on my wall of victory.”

Then came the declaration that caught everyone’s attention:

“I’ve said it before, my career hasn’t been perfect, but it’s been undeniably legendary. Epic. Special… And I know — without a doubt — my mother would be proud of the man I’ve become.”

But he capped it off with something even more telling: “The best is yet to come.”

This message signaled a clear dismissal of retirement speculation, indicating that Jones still plans to return to the Octagon. Whether that return includes Tom Aspinall or not remains the looming question.

Tom Aspinall: Waiting, Watching, and Ready

For his part, Tom Aspinall has remained relatively quiet in recent weeks, but that silence shouldn’t be mistaken for passivity. The British interim champ has stayed in peak condition, training diligently and maintaining that the only fight he wants is the one that unifies the division.

He’s young, explosive, well-rounded, and widely considered the most dangerous threat in the heavyweight division today. With wins over Sergei Pavlovich, Marcin Tybura, and Alexander Volkov, Aspinall has built a résumé that demands attention.

If Jones vs Aspinall is made official, it would be the biggest heavyweight title bout in years — one that finally gives fans the answers they’ve been waiting for.

The Ducking Debate: Fair or Flawed?

It’s easy to label Jones as ducking Aspinall, but the truth might be more nuanced. Jones has been recovering from surgery, and at age 37, returning from a major injury isn’t simple. He also made it clear that he wanted to fight Stipe Miocic, which, while frustrating to fans, makes legacy sense for Jones.

But time is running out. The longer the UFC waits, the more the “real champ” debate becomes skewed toward Aspinall. If Jones refuses to fight, he may be stripped of his title, just as Francis Ngannou was when he exited the UFC.

Conclusion: Fight or Fade Away

The heavyweight division cannot afford to wait forever. Dana White has made his promise, and now all eyes are on Jon Jones to either step up and defend his throne or walk away and let the next king rule.

For Jones, fighting Tom Aspinall isn’t just about belts — it’s about legacy. It’s about answering the challenge of the next generation and proving that greatness doesn’t duck danger.

As for Aspinall, he’s ready. He’s earned it. And the fans are behind him.

Everything but fighting? We’ve seen enough.

The time for seminars and Instagram Lives is over. The UFC heavyweight division deserves clarity, and Jon Jones vs Tom Aspinall is the only fight that can deliver it.