Jon Jones has brutally taunted Tom Aspinall amidst the ongoing delay of their highly anticipated heavyweight title unification bout.
A significant fight between the two stars, aged 37 and 32 respectively, has been expected since last November.
Despite reports that the UFC met Jones` demands for substantial payment, the fight has still not materialized.
MMA fans are increasingly frustrated by this situation, which has left Aspinall inactive for almost a year.
Jones recently posted a cheeky message on social media, aimed at his critics and Aspinall, after announcing an upcoming training seminar in Thailand.
Commenting on a joint Instagram post with Bangtao MMA, he wrote: “Everything but fighting.”
His comment angered fight fans, prompting responses such as: “Fight Tom Aspinall, you duck.”
Another user commented: “At least you know you`re ducking.”
Someone else added: “Well, at least you`re aware of that, duck.”
One user remarked: “Literally everything except fighting Tom.”
Another person chimed in: “That`s fine, we all know who the real champ is.”
Jones` social media jibe came just days after UFC President Dana White *guaranteed* the fight would happen.
During an Instagram Live session, White stated: “We`ll get Aspinall vs Jones done.”
He added: “The heavyweight fight will happen. Just relax, I`ll announce that soon.”
Jones, a Hall of Famer, has been annoyed by accusations of “ducking” Aspinall and addressed fans on his own Instagram Live.
He said: “I’ve got people in the chat calling me a duck. Meanwhile, I`m living my absolute best life.”
He continued: “I don’t know if it’s considered ducking when you’re living good. I don’t think it works like that.”
Jones` comments about “ducking” followed his public dismissal of retirement rumors, where he insisted his best is “yet to come”.
In an Instagram post featuring a room adorned with posters from his past fights, he wrote: “Now, as you can see… still haven’t framed or hung the Stipe fight yet.”
He added: “Been moving a million miles an hour lately. But there’s one last perfect spot left on my wall of victory.”
“And looking at this wall, it really hits me. This isn’t just artwork.”
“It’s legacy. Every poster tells a story. Different chapters.”
“Different homes. Different battles. Wins that meant the world at the time. Fights that made history.”
“I’ve said it before, my career hasn’t been perfect, but it’s been undeniably legendary. Epic. Special.”
“Just a few words that come to mind. Legend after legend. Era after era.”
“What I’m most proud of? I’ve evolved. I’m so much more than just a fighter.”
“I’m a man growing stronger in my faith, a family man, a loyal brother to my team, a businessman, a leader, a man for my community.”
“And I know – without a doubt – my mother would be proud of the man I’ve become.”
“The wall’s almost filled… but trust me, the story’s still being written.”
“The best is yet to come.”
Elton Marrow