Reigning UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones is not sweating comments made by interim titleholder Tom Aspinall.
Aspinall made it known that he believed Jones should be stripped of his title while recovering from surgery. UFC president Dana White cleared that idea by saying it would not happen, and the promotion was moving forward with the title defense vs. Stipe Miocic that was canceled.
On social media recently, Jones responded to Aspinall.
“I’ve faced the absolute toughest competition this world had to offer for 15 years now,” he wrote. “During camp for a title defense I sustained a major injury that required surgery for the first time in my career.
“Now I have newcomers requesting I get my championship stripped. Zero wins over legends, zero title defenses, and already thinking you can call the shots to Dana, that’s hilarious.”
Aspinall has reeled off seven finishes since joining the UFC, including his win over Sergei Pavlovich for the interim title last month. Jones, though, has a resume that speaks like no other in the sport.
He has defeated the likes of Rashad Evans, Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, Chael Sonnen, Lyoto Machida.
“In my 15 year career I have seen so many guys who are supposed to be the next big thing,” Jones wrote. “There’s ever only been one Jon Jones, never forget that.”
Following Aspinall’s win, Jones did give him some credit.
“Tom congratulations on the interim heavyweight championship belt,” he wrote back on November 12. “That was an awesome performance!”
Jones won the heavyweight title with a victory over Ciryl Gane earlier this year. He vacated the light heavyweight title to chase a new division and was planning on defending vs. Miocic when he was hurt.
