Tom Aspinall Declares Himself Undisputed UFC Champion as Jon Jones' Future Remains Unclear

Tom Aspinall is no longer for Jon Jones.

The UFC interim heavyweight champion has had enough of the silence, delays, and uncertainty surrounding a potential unification bout with Jon Jones. In a decisive statement made on the Good Guy/Bad Guy podcast, Aspinall made it clear: as far as he's concerned, Jon Jones is retired, and he is now the undisputed heavyweight champion of the UFC.

A Rivalry That Never Fully Took Shape

The talks of Tom Aspinall vs. Jon Jones bout has loomed the UFC heavyweight division for more than a year. After Aspinall claimed the interim title by defeating Sergei Pavlovich in July 2024, a unification bout with Jones seemed inevitable.

Jones, who captured the undisputed belt by submitting Ciryl Gane in March 2023. He has fought only once since claiming the belt, recording a TKO title defense against Stipe Miocic in November. Despite UFC CEO Dana White calling the matchup "the biggest fight in heavyweight history," the bout has yet to materialize, and may never happen.

Aspinall Draws the Line

In his appearance on the Good Guy/Bad Guy podcast hosted by Daniel Cormier and Chael Sonnen, Aspinall made a statement both to the fans and the UFC. He isn’t holding out for a “money fight” or a certain opponent.

He even listed names he’s ready to face: Ciryl Gane, Alexander Volkov (a rematch), Jailton Almeida, Derrick Lewis, even Brock Lesnar, if it came to that.

A Stuck Division and Silent Contenders

Aspinall’s frustration stems from more than just Jones’ absence, the entire UFC heavyweight division has stalled. Almost none of the top-ranked contenders have active bookings.

With contenders hesitant to risk their spot in the pecking order, the interim champ has become the only one pushing for action. And after nearly 600 days with the interim belt, Aspinall says it’s time the UFC moves on, with or without Jon Jones.

Is Jon Jones Retired?

Jon Jones, 37, is widely considered one of the greatest fighters of all time. But lately, his public image has shifted. He’s been more active on social media than in the Octagon, training, traveling, and, in Aspinall’s words, “living his best life.”

There’s been no official retirement, but Jones has hinted multiple times that he’s unsure of returning to fight again. Dana White insists the bout is still planned, yet updates have been scarce.

“If one guy is thinking about retiring, he’s retired,” said Aspinall.

It’s a jab at Jones’ vagueness and perhaps a nudge to either make it official or get back in the cage.

What’s Next for the Heavyweight Division?

With UFC 316 fight week underway, there’s rising anticipation that Dana White will finally shed light on the heavyweight title picture. But Aspinall isn’t waiting for a boardroom decision. He says his next opponent will be announced soon.

Fighters, Fans, and the Growing Frustration

The longer this saga drags on, the louder the frustration grows, not just from Aspinall, but from the entire MMA community. Fans on social media are increasingly vocal about Jones’ absence. Contenders like Ciryl Gane and Jailton Almeida have been left in limbo, waiting for the UFC to make a move. For Aspinall, enough is enough.

“Those guys have been waiting around too long. The contenders are getting sick of it. Everybody’s getting sick of it. Even the fans are getting sick of this stuff.”

The Verdict: "We Move On"

Tom Aspinall’s message is direct: he is the champion now. Whether Jon Jones returns or not, the division cannot wait forever. With or without the biggest fight in heavyweight history, Aspinall is ready to fight anyone and bring the weight class back to life.

“I want to fight everybody, and I want to fight as much as possible. Get some excitement back in this division.”