UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones appears to be deliberately provoking his fanbase with recent actions and statements, seemingly just “playing the game.”
Since his dominant victory over Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 last November, fans have urgently called for Jones to return and unify the title against interim champion Tom Aspinall.
His continued delay in scheduling the fight has drawn criticism, including from former opponent Anthony Smith, who suggested Jones is deliberately `mentally exhausting` Aspinall.
Adding to the uncertainty surrounding his fighting future, Jones is currently in Thailand where he is reportedly filming for a Russian reality television series. Bizarrely, the show is said to feature him competing against Nate Diaz.
Jones Offers Reassurance After Hinting at Retirement
While in Thailand, Jones was photographed meeting Hasbulla, an appearance that further frustrated the UFC fanbase given the ongoing lack of concrete updates on his next fight.
Despite UFC president Dana White`s assurance that Jones would step into the Octagon this year, the athlete widely considered the greatest fighter of all time recently made a significant hint about potentially retiring. During a facetime call that was captured on camera, he reportedly told an old teammate, “I`m done.”
This striking comment came just hours after Jones had stated he had already informed the UFC of his future plans and questioned why the promotion hadn`t yet notified the fans.
However, only a few hours after his “I`m done” declaration, the 37-year-old champion seemingly attempted to alleviate fan concerns about his potential retirement. He posted a message on his social media, including a video of a dog aggressively chasing others away, implying his readiness and intention to return to the UFC.
Potential Timing for Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall
With Jones now suggesting a return despite his earlier retirement hint, there is only one upcoming date that appears most logical for the highly anticipated title unification bout.
The UFC has already scheduled the main events for their next four pay-per-view cards. The September PPV, set for Guadalajara, is designated as UFC Noche (UFC 320).
Reports suggest the UFC`s October pay-per-view event will take place in Abu Dhabi, a location where Jon Jones is considered highly unlikely to headline.
This analysis points to November as the most probable timing for a potential Jones vs. Aspinall fight. The UFC`s November pay-per-view event typically takes place at Madison Square Garden in New York City, a venue where Jon Jones headlined the previous corresponding card.
