Jon Jones Fires Back After Tom Aspinall Calls for Him to Be Stripped of UFC Title

Jon Jones has taken notice of Tom Aspinall’s suggestion that he be stripped of the UFC heavyweight crown.

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.”