UFC supporters are strongly urging President Dana White to take decisive action and strip Jon Jones of his heavyweight championship belt.
A highly anticipated unification fight between Jones and interim champion Tom Aspinall has been under consideration since November of last year, but it has not yet materialized.
This delay persists despite the UFC`s apparent willingness to deviate from their standard pay structure to meet Jones` reported demands for substantial payment for the bout.
Jones, formerly ranked as the sport`s top pound-for-pound fighter, has frustrated many mixed martial arts fans recently due to his prolonged indecision regarding potential retirement. His recent interview this week only amplified this uncertainty, leaving fans in suspense.
During an interview on Deepcut with VicBlends, Jones stated, “I don`t know what life holds as far as fighting and competing. I do feel like I`ll be a lifelong martial artist whether I`m coaching others or taking exhibition matches and things like that.”
He continued, “There`s a lot of great competition still in the UFC. I do view myself as more than a fighter. Being in my position, I feel like I have a lot more options than a lot of the other fighters as far as the ability to leave and return. And so right now I`m just focusing on love, happiness, kindness. We`re at the quarter-century mark, and this year should be a really special year.”
These comments from Jones immediately provoked strong reactions from UFC fans globally, who voiced their displeasure on social media platforms.
One fan commented, “Strip him already, make [Ciryl] Gane vs Aspinall in the UK. We`ve had enough of this. Enjoy your retirement and if you want to come back, you’ll have to fight Aspinall anyway.”
Another wrote, “He took 3 years off to `prepare for Heavyweight`. How much time does he need? STRIP HIM!”
A third added, “Strip him of the belt and let him come back and fight for it when he’s ready.”
One remark highlighted the situation: “If he doesn`t know, then I`d say he`s done. Shame Dana can`t compute that.”
Another user strongly criticized the promotion: “UFC is a total joke for not stripping him and giving Aspinall another fight to defend his title. If Jones has quit and let the UFC know about it, then the UFC has to move on. If Jones wants to fight and is just delaying, the UFC needs to give him a date and tell him to f**k off if he says no. This entire situation is causing irreparable damage to the UFC brand because people are getting turned off by the constant lies.”
Since his initial heavyweight title defense against Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 last November, Jones has been accused by some of avoiding a fight with British interim champion Aspinall.
Fans` patience with the acclaimed fighter has significantly diminished, although Jones maintains that he is not deliberately misleading anyone.
He recently posted on X (formerly Twitter): “Y`all barkin` up the wrong tree. I told the UFC my plans a long time ago. I have no clue why they haven’t shared them with you guys yet.”
Jones` assertion that White and the UFC hierarchy are aware of his intentions came only days after the UFC President *guaranteed* that Jones would compete in the octagon this year.
White told Adam Glyn, “Jon Jones will be fighting in 2025. 100 percent.”
Elton Marrow 
Gideon Holt