Jon Jones has sent a message to his “haters” following UFC President Dana White`s assertion that Jones had agreed to fight Tom Aspinall.
The UFC has been actively working to finalize a significant heavyweight title unification bout between the two fighters, a potential clash that has been discussed since November of last year.
White indicated that the UFC met Jones` demand for substantial payment for the fight. However, the former top-ranked fighter is now reportedly strongly considering vacating his belt and retiring from the sport.
Jones` recent suggestions of retirement appeared to catch White off guard. Last weekend, White stated, “Jon Jones agreed to do the fight. Jon Jones was offered the deal and accepted the deal. Jon agreed to fight Tom, yes.”
White`s announcement led to numerous MMA fans accusing Jones of deliberately misleading them with his social media posts.
In response to being labeled “the best troll the sport has ever seen,” Jones delivered a message to those criticizing him.
He posted, “I’ve never claimed to be the best but somehow, I keep ending up with my hand raised. Jones haters are frustrated these days.”
UFC supremo White had previously expressed confidence in arranging this major heavyweight championship fight.
Yet, similar to many fight enthusiasts globally, the veteran promoter`s certainty that the fight will actually happen seems to be diminishing.
During the press conference after UFC 316, White acknowledged, “Listen, you can’t make people fight. If Jon doesn’t want to fight, you can’t make him fight. We can try to make him fight, we can throw things at him that inspire him to want to fight. But we’ll figure it out.”
Jones` most recent bout was his only defense of the heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 last November.
Meanwhile, Aspinall has been waiting on the sidelines for his opportunity against the former light heavyweight champion since his swift victory over Curtis Blaydes in just 60 seconds at UFC 304 last July.
Elton Marrow