Uncategorized Bernardo Oliveira 06/10/2025 0 Comments

Jones, Aspinall & Ngannou: UFC’s Heavyweight Shake-Up

📅 UFC Recap & Press Conference Highlights

At the recent UFC event (UFC 316) the headline fights lived up to expectations, but it was the ensuing press conference that truly stole the spotlight.

Fighters, media, and UFC brass, including Dana White, faced tough questions about the much-anticipated Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall unification bout.
Tom Aspinall confirmed that retirement discussions had taken place with Jones, hinting that the bout may not materialize.
Dana White attempted to calm speculation during the post-fight scrum, stating that the Jones–Aspinall matchup was still in the works, but with no definitive timeline .

Throughout the briefing, underlying tension was palpable Aspinall, in particular, expressed frustration with the delays, while the UFC brass suggested they were doing everything in their power to make the superfight a reality.

🔒 Jon Jones: Retirement or Stripe?

Jon Jones has fueled rumors of retirement with multiple cryptic statements:

He told MMA journalist Kamal Gadzhiev simply, “I’m done, I’m done”.
Jones posted a two-word retirement message widely circulated online.
Notably, in replies to fans, he’s suggested he’s “enjoying life,” without formally denying that he’s retired .

This ambiguity leaves Aspinall’s pending title matchup hanging in the balance. Reddit fans are sharply divided. One wrote:

“Jon’s drinking and partying in Thailand. He’s never fighting again”,
while another observed:

“Either that or he really is retired and the UFC is refusing to admit it until they get a new TV deal sorted”.

⚔️ Tom Aspinall: Interim Champ to Undisputed?

As interim heavyweight champion, Aspinall is caught in limbo:

UFC reportedly has high hopes for finalizing the Jones bout.
Yet Aspinall has issued an ultimatum: either fight Jones or begin moving on to other contenders .
If Jones officially retires without accepting, expectations are that Aspinall will be elevated to undisputed champion and placed against top Heavyweight contenders.

🔥 Francis Ngannou: The Other Super‑Fight?

Another name making waves: Francis Ngannou, champion in the PFL and former UFC Heavyweight. His presence looms large:

Dana White has confirmed that a showdown between Jones and Ngannou is off the table, despite public back-and-forth.
Around the Octagon, fans question if Ngannou remains a better match-up for Jones than Aspinall, though UFC officials seem focused on the Aspinall route.

The next few weeks (or months) will be pivotal. Official announcements—whether Jones retires, faces Aspinall, or opts for Ngannou—will determine the direction of the heavyweight division.