The UFC heavyweight division has always been home to legends and rising stars. However, there are few matchups that are generating as much buzz as the potential showdown between Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall. The brewing tension between the reigning champion and the young British phenom over Jones; alleged “ducking” has been the contested agenda that could define the future of the division.

Aspinall was present at the recently concluded UFC 309 main event where Jones shut down Stipe Miocic in the third round with a brutal spinning kick. The interim champion used the opportunity to his advantage and watched Jones fight live for the first time in his career. It seems he has mapped out a game plan for him as evident by his quirky observations about the champ’s speed.

The Brit has now given a new dimension to his rivalry with Jones during his conversation with Ariel Helwani. While speaking on his show he said, “I think he secretly wants it. He has a gigantic ego, and he should have… and he HATES the fact that people are saying I can beat him. He can’t sleep at night.” Jones, for his part, has been relatively quiet, though his reputation precedes him.

Tom Aspinall believes that Jon Jones “secretly” wants to fight him – “He has a gigantic ego, and he should have… and he HATES the fact that people are saying I can beat him. He can’t sleep at night.”
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Fans are now divided on the issue and have already mocked the champion for avoiding the fight. However, some still see Jones as the ultimate tactician, choosing his fights wisely to maximize his career earnings and minimize risk. Others argue that avoiding Aspinall would tarnish his legacy, leaving questions about whether Jones could withstand the new wave of heavyweight talent. They have now come out and advised Aspinall on what he needs to get himself into the fight.

Fans want Tom Aspinall to hurt Jon Jones’s ego to get his attention

Tom Aspinall has implied that Jones has been avoiding a fight with him for all this time. The former light heavyweight kingpin is reluctant to risk his legacy against a younger, faster, and potentially more dangerous opponent. Jones, with his unparalleled fight IQ and wrestling, faces a well-rounded, dynamic striker in Aspinall who also boasts a dangerous ground game. So what should Tom Aspinall do to get a fight? Let us take a look at what the fans had to say.

Some fans believe Aspinall has found a chink in Jones’s seemingly impenetrable armor—his ego. A user remarked, “You need to play into Jon’s narcissism like DC did. If you play softball, he won’t bite hard enough.” Another one chimed in as to how Aspinall has found the perfect plan to get the response from Jones and said, “Exactly. Dude’s ego is his biggest weakness; just gotta poke at it the right way. Tom’s starting to figure it out.”

For many, Aspinall’s approach feels like a psychological chess game. Even skeptics admit that Jon Jones, known for his pride and mental games, might not resist rising to the bait. As one fan aptly put it, “This is a good move. Even if Jon knows it’s a move, he’s still going to fall for it.” While some frame Jones’s alleged reluctance as ego-driven, others argue it’s purely a financial decision. One fan pointed out, “The biggest bag of his UFC career would be on the line to fight Aspinall though.” 

Another user commented, “I dunno about it being an ego thing – it’s a payday thing.” Beyond the drama, some fans are already debating how a fight between the two might play out. One comment read, “Bad matchup for Jon, IMO. Good luck outgrappling him.” Many see Aspinall’s well-rounded skillset as a serious challenge for Jones, who has yet to fully prove himself in the heavyweight.  division.

While Jones has built a legacy as one of the sport’s greatest, others think this potential fight could change the narrative. One fan boldly stated, “Jones is all about legacy but doesn’t realize his legacy is going to be getting chased out of the UFC by Aspinall. Damn shame.”

The back-and-forth between Aspinall and Jones has ignited speculation about whether this fight will ever happen. For now, fans are split: is Jones avoiding Aspinall, or is this all part of a larger promotional game? No matter the answer, one thing is clear—this is the fight fans want to see. And if Aspinall keeps pressing, Jones might just find himself with no choice but to step into the cage. Will the fight happen next? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.