“In 24 hours, I’ll be making a huge announcement! #AndStill,” wrote Jon Jones on social media, teasing what many in the MMA community believed to be his comeback fight. The reigning heavyweight champion successfully defended his title against Stipe Miocic at UFC 309. Since then, efforts have been made to set up a fight between him and Tom Aspinall. As Jones tweeted his announcement, the MMA community grew excited in anticipation.
However, what followed was an utter disappointment which caused immense uproar among the fans who were expecting a fight announcement. So, what was Jon Jones‘s announcement about? It was his support for a non-profit aimed at challenging the current U.S. healthcare system. The heavyweight champion took to his social media handles to add a short video where he vouched his support for the cause.
He captioned it with a long message explaining why he took the decision, “While this may not be a traditional fight for me, it’s obvious that too many Americans are being hurt and forced into medical debt or bankruptcy by a Healthcare System so greedy that hospitals and insurers hide their actual prices so they can charge us whatever they want,” Jones began.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
View this post on Instagram
He further added, “Their “estimates” are bulls–t and the corporate greed in American healthcare is breaking people and families across the United States. I’ve seen it countless times in my own community where I have friends, family, and neighbors who are afraid to even get the care they need because the entire system, without real prices upfront, is dishonest and rigged for corporate profit.”
Jon Jones highlighted how easy it is for big insurance corporations to charge their consumers higher amounts and how easily they can get them to pay. Jones blamed the lack of transparency for such an abomination. It was quite a good approach from the heavyweight champion to bring a change but the MMA community only wants fight announcements from him. Given that, UFC veterans appear to have come in support of ‘Bones’
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Jon Jones find support from MMA veterans amid announcement fiasco
Starting off, former dual-weight champion and Jon Jones’s friend, Conor McGregor had a single word for the heavyweight champion, “Respect!!” In addition to McGregor, Kamaru Usman came forward to give his regards to Jon Jones as he added a single “100” sign emoji. Then came, Anthony Pettis who added a series of clapping emojis, and finally it was Henry Cejudo who indicated that he dialed up for the cause.
The veterans might be up for Jon Jones making such an announcement but the fans were not at all ok with the mind trick that Jones played. Starting off, a social media user took a blatant sarcastic slur at Jon Jones, “Maybe if Tom changes his name to Healthcare Jon will fight him.” Following the sarcasm, another social media user came forward to have his own statement for the heavyweight champ, “Duck bones Jones.” ‘Bones’ has been accused of ducking Aspinall because he has been constantly refusing to fight the interim heavyweight champion. However, UFC head honcho Dana White has promised that he will make this fight happen.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Furthermore, another fan called out Jon Jones for playing mind games with them, “No way this is the big announcement.” Last but not least, a social media user stated, “Anything to keep from getting knocked out by Tom Aspinall.” It must be noted that Tom Aspinall has finished all of his opponents and most of them succumbed in the very first round.
Jon Jones might have fooled the public for now but sooner or later the fighter has to make an announcement. Who do you think will be Jones’s next opponent? State your thoughts in the comments below.
Have something to say?
Let the world know your perspective.
ADVERTISEMENT
Debate
Did Jon Jones dodge a fight with Aspinall, or is he genuinely fighting for healthcare reform?
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
What’s your perspective on:
Did Jon Jones dodge a fight with Aspinall, or is he genuinely fighting for healthcare reform?
Have an interesting take?