MMA great Jon Jones has dismissed calls from interim champion Tom Aspinall to be stripped of his title due to injury, with UFC CEO Dana White confirming plans for Jones to face Stipe Miocic next year.
Jon Jones is a legend in the MMA world, and he’s not interested in hearing from the new interim champ, Tom Aspinall. Jones had been set to face Stipe Miocic in the UFC 295 main event. However, a torn pectoral muscle that needed surgery forced him off the card.
The UFC decided to move forward with an interim title fight. This bout was between Tom Aspinall and Sergei Pavlovich. Aspinall ended up knocking out Pavlovich and capturing the belt in the co-main event.
After his win, Aspinall had something to say. He called for Jones to be stripped of his title, which Jones won in March by defeating Ciryl Gane swiftly. Aspinall’s reasoning? He thinks Jones should give up his title because that’s what “everyone else does when they get injured like that.”
Jones, of course, doesn’t agree with that sentiment.
“I’ve faced the absolute toughest competition this world had to offer for 15 years now,” Jones wrote on Twitter. He was in camp for a title defense when he sustained a major injury that required surgery. This was a first in his career. “Now, I have newcomers requesting I get my championship stripped.”
Jones had a few choice words for Aspinall. “Zero wins over legends, zero title defenses, and already thinking you can call the shots to Dana [White], that’s hilarious.”
UFC CEO Dana White didn’t agree with Aspinall’s suggestion either. Over the past weekend, he confirmed that plans are still in place for Jones to face Miocic next year.
Aspinall’s record since joining the UFC is impressive, with a 7-1 overall record. All seven of his wins have come by knockout or submission. However, this hardly measures up to Jones. Jones remains undefeated in his career (except for a disqualification loss to Matt Hamill in 2009) and has wins over eight former UFC champions.
Jones didn’t mention Aspinall by name in his social media post. However, he sent a not so subtle reminder of his accomplishments. “In my 15 year career I have seen so many guys who are supposed to be the next big thing,” Jones said. “There’s ever only been one Jon Jones, never forget that.”