Both have trolled. The rubber duck on Aspinall's part was as much of a trolling stuff as JJ six months demands. They both were trolling. That was all a good story, a set up that reached a climax and then it started to feel like a meme...
But it's not as though there wasn't enough dirt on people's hands for killing the story. To keep an interim title belt around Tom Aspinall is impossible. It is not possible to have an interim champion in the presence of a disputed champion. It's just not possible.
You can not refer to Jon Jones as an undisputed champion (which is what he is) in the presence of an interim champion. You may not refer to him, as per the rule of the words, as that. Done. He is not an interim champion.
Still, just saying to the the world that sees this fight as not gonna happen, or something that just can't be pulled off, like, "" too good to be true "" ... But it still comes down to — many people just don't believe this fight is going to happen. But if one thing that I can say and you can believe, 100%, is that you are wrong, this fight is going to happen. In fact, this fight is going to happen next.
You will not see Jon Jones fight and it not be Tom Aspinall — that is an assurance I can say it is 100%. I can't do it the other way though, I can't say there's any other scenario that Tom Aspinall fights and it won't be Jon Jones... It can't be said for sure. But still, it's very close to the truth. Not 100%, but yeah, it is unlikely that he fights and it's not Jones (but who knows...).
But I can go further and say that we will see Jon Jones fight. You will see Jon Jones fight Aspinall. All those reports that you guys have heard — that Jon Jones is holding this fight up — they are not true. And I can say that 100%. They are not true. JJ has gone to the media and he had his fun. But that's not the test for ducking, the litmus test is that — when that phone rings and it's Dana White or his office, and it is not accepted, that's only when it goes into the category of ducking. That did not happen, that is a false report.
Overall point is, Tom Aspinall does know what is going on — he's said as much. He said but he has, kind of, been sworn to secrecy. But he really wants people (and it's understandable from Tom perspective, ofc it is) to know that it is done, for them to be at peace. But it's understandable for Tom to say that because he feels he has a lot of support. The sad part tho is that Tom has no support. But he doesn't know that (or at least did not until a while ago), he is young, he's new... He thinks that social media is real to him — the whole world was just behind him (or so he thought)...
... But they let him have his fun, kinda like, "let him be naive". So he wanted this group (social media, which he thought was a real thing... Just naive, naive belief some young fighters have, not all ofc) to know — "be at peace, go have your day, don't lose sleep thinking about this, don't worry about it, try to think in other stuff... I can't share with you yet, but I do have it. I'm sworn to secrecy, a little bit."
The little bit part is the interesting stuff though. Like, he was sworn to secrecy but he can tell his dad... He was sworn to secrecy, but he could choose 3 people, as long as those 3 people were in his inner circle. Because, well, he's only a little bit sworn to secrecy... So is it sworn to secrecy "a little bit" as long as he can tell it to everyone who matters but not post it on the internet? I mean lol what is a "little bit"? But still Tom felt compelled to let you all know that he does in fact know... Alright, fair enough.
So we just have to speculate when and where that might be. A big one and big opportunity would be international fights weekend, but if Jon and Tom is done and they are not scheduled for international fight's weekend — even if we had, in the wake of DDP being hurt and being in the wake of "hey, we need a big event, and we need it to be meaningful!"... whatever the plan was for Jones and Aspinall, will not be affected by anything else.
It's a good clue I can give though — if anyone wants a strong guess — that they will fight in November, and it will be in New York. Yes, it is a good insight on a likely date and place... It can't be known though, because Tom — kind of, sort of — has to keep it a secret. Whatever the exception to the secrecy was, people can feel offended because he chose not to tell them. But... Here you have it.
Jon Jones will come out on top against Tom Aspinall in their potential UFC heavyweight clash.
Look, the Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall fight has been hyped to the moon, and for good reason—it’s the ultimate test of the old guard vs. the new blood. But when you hear people saying Jones is gonna win because he’s just better, they’re not just throwing out hot takes. They’re pointing to a track record and skill set that make Jones a nightmare for anyone, even a phenom like Aspinall. The waiting game we’ve all been enduring? It’s only gonna amplify the stakes and prove why Jones’ supporters are so confident.
First, let’s talk about why people say Jones is better. The dude’s resume is straight-up ridiculous. We’re talking about a guy who’s been dominating the UFC since he was 23, racking up wins over legends like Shogun Rua, Rashad Evans, Daniel Cormier (twice), and Alexander Gustafsson. He’s never truly lost a fight—26-1 with that one DQ against Matt Hamill in 2009, which was more about a bad rule than Jones getting outclassed. Fast forward to 2023, he moves up to heavyweight and submits Ciryl Gane in like two minutes at UFC 285, then puts Stipe Miocic to sleep at UFC 309 in November 2024. At 37, Jones is still out here making all-time greats look mortal. That’s not just skill—that’s wizardry.
What makes Jones “better” in the eyes of his backers? It’s his versatility and fight IQ. Jones is a master at everything—striking, wrestling, submissions, you name it. His reach (84.5 inches, longest in the UFC) lets him pick guys apart with those annoying front kicks and spinning elbows from range. His wrestling? Elite. He’s got a 93% takedown defense and can chain submissions like it’s nothing (just ask Gane about that guillotine). But the real X-factor is his brain. Jones adapts mid-fight like no one else. Against Gustafsson, he was getting outstruck early but turned it around with clinch work and elbows. Against Cormier, he nullified DC’s wrestling with his own. Fans on X point this out all the time, with posts like, “Jones always finds a way. Aspinall’s never faced anyone who can adjust like that.” They’re not wrong—Aspinall’s opponents, like Volkov or Pavlovich, didn’t have Jones’ ability to problem-solve under pressure.
Now, Aspinall’s no slouch. The guy’s a freak—fast, powerful, and scary well-rounded for a heavyweight. His first-round finishes over Sergei Pavlovich, Curtis Blaydes, and Marcin Tybura show he can end fights in a blink. He’s got slick BJJ (black belt under his dad) and moves like a middleweight despite being 260 pounds. Posts on X from Aspinall fans are hyped, with stuff like, “Tom’s too quick for Jones. He’ll catch him early!” But here’s where the “Jones is better” crowd pushes back: Aspinall’s never faced anyone close to Jones’ caliber. His toughest test was Blaydes, who rocked him in their first fight before the injury. Jones, meanwhile, has been in wars with the best of the best and always comes out on top. That experience gap is huge, and it’s why guys like Paddy Pimblett, on The Full Send Podcast, picked Jones, saying, “I can’t bet against Bones. He’s too good.”
The waiting game ties into this perfectly. Aspinall’s been interim champ for over 500 days, itching for his shot. He’s been grinding, posting on Instagram about “big improvements” in his training, and you know he’s studying Jones like a final exam. But Jones? He’s using this time to his advantage. At 37, he’s not rushing into anything. He reportedly asked for six months to prep after signing the contract (per Chael Sonnen on Submission Radio), and that’s classic Jones—calculated, methodical, never stepping in underprepared. While Aspinall’s staying sharp, Jones is probably dissecting Tom’s fights, figuring out how to counter that speed and power. The longer wait gives Jones time to fine-tune his game plan, and if there’s one thing we know, it’s that Jones doesn’t waste prep time. Just look at how he dismantled Gane after a three-year layoff. The dude thrives when the pressure’s on.
Why does this make the wait worth it? Because when Jones steps into the cage—maybe at UFC 322 in November 2025, if the rumors hold up—he’s gonna be the best version of himself. Fans saying “Jones is better” aren’t just banking on his past; they’re betting on his ability to show up with a strategy that exploits Aspinall’s weaknesses. Maybe he uses his reach to keep Tom at bay, or maybe he drags it to the later rounds where Aspinall’s never been tested (all his UFC fights end in under 10 minutes). Jones has fought five rounds multiple times and looked fresh; we don’t know if Aspinall can match that cardio. As one X user put it, “Aspinall’s a monster, but Jones has seen every trick in the book. Tom’s getting outsmarted.”
There’s also the mental game. Jones is a master at getting in opponents’ heads. He’s been low-key dismissive of Aspinall, saying stuff like Tom’s not a big enough name for his legacy (per MMA Fighting). That’s gotta sting for Aspinall, who’s been nothing but respectful but also dropped subtle jabs, like calling Jones “strange” on TNT Sports. The longer this fight takes to materialize, the more that tension simmers. Jones thrives in that chaos—look at how he rattled Cormier before their fights. Aspinall’s young and hungry, but Jones has a way of making even the toughest guys second-guess themselves. That psychological edge could be the difference, and the wait’s only making it more intense.
Now, don’t get me wrong—Aspinall’s got a real shot. His speed could overwhelm Jones early, and if he lands one of those bombs, it’s lights out. Michael Bisping’s been vocal on his podcast, saying Aspinall’s power and grappling could finish Jones in the first round. But the “Jones is better” crowd points to one thing: Bones doesn’t get caught clean. His defense is insane—only 2.5 significant strikes absorbed per minute, per UFC Stats, compared to Aspinall’s 3.3. Jones’ footwork and range management make him a ghost, and Aspinall’s aggressive style might leave openings for Jones to exploit, like a trip to the ground or a sneaky submission.
The wait’s been brutal, no doubt. Aspinall’s been patient, dropping hints on X like, “Good things come to those who wait,” while fans are losing it, begging Dana White for a date. But for Jones’ believers, this delay is just setting the stage for him to prove why he’s the GOAT. When the fight happens, it’s not just gonna be a brawl—it’s gonna be a chess match where Jones’ experience, adaptability, and sheer “better-ness” could steal the show. The hype’s been building for years, and if Jones pulls it off, it’ll be the ultimate “I told you so” to the doubters. This fight’s gonna be a classic, and the wait’s gonna make that W for Jones feel even sweeter.