UFC head honcho Dana White has provided a promising update on the long-awaited heavyweight title unification bout between Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall. Speaking to TNT Sports ahead of UFC London, the head honcho assured fans that the fight will happen but stopped short of making it official. “The fight will happen. It’s gonna happen. It’s done, but it’s not done enough to sit right here now and announce it and give you a date,” White said.

The matchup is monumental for both fighters and the division as a whole, with legacy-defining stakes on the line. However, the delay has reportedly been attributed to Jones’ reluctance to face the Englishman. A massive legacy risk? A reported $30 million paycheck to sign the deal? The rumors are everywhere but one thing is certain! The interim heavyweight champion is essentially being forced to sit on the sidelines in his athletic prime.

Moreover, Aspinall has himself accused ‘Bones’ of “ducking” him, a sentiment that was pretty much clear when he mocked Jones with a plastic duck while being cage side during the promotion’s 16th outing in London. This belief is only expected to grow in stature with Ariel Helwani dropping a bombshell regarding Jones and his timeline to fight the Brit. According to the journalist, Jones has requested six months to prepare for Aspinall if and when the unification bout will be made official by the UFC. No certainties, just vague timelines!

But apart from all the stalling, this delay will eventually help ‘Bones’ break a massive record. The record for the longest reigning UFC heavyweight kingpin! Currently, Cain Velasquez holds that distinction with an impressive 896 days. Sitting at 746 days, Jon Jones has a real chance to cross it if the unification does not happen in the coming 180 days. Considering of course if the bout is signed today!

It’s been pretty clear that fans are not too happy with Jones allegedly sitting out to halt the division. They’re upset about the delay in this anticipated unification fight. The stakes may differ in this case with Jones having the opportunity to break Velasquez’s record but this hasn’t changed the initial sentiment from the MMA world. The frustration is evident all over social media. Let’s see!

Fans are livid at the possibility of Jon Jones becoming the longest-reigning heavyweight champ 

As Jon Jones inches closer to breaking the record for the longest UFC heavyweight title reign, many fans remain unconvinced. With only one title defense under his belt, some are hesitant to give ‘Bones’ credit, taking to social media to express their skepticism. One fan wasted no time in criticizing Jones’ title reign, referencing his lone defense against a 42-year-old retirement-bound Stipe Miocic: “Longest reign with one defense against a senior citizen.”

Another fan took aim at Dana White, accusing him of shielding Jones as his top fighter: “Longest reign of the small unvisited village that daddy Dana is protecting from miles far away.” Meanwhile, some labeled Jones’ time at heavyweight as mere avoidance rather than dominance: “You mean longest DUCKING reign.”

Despite the UFC’s influence, fans are frustrated that the fight against Tom Aspinall remains unconfirmed. One user believes this delay is tarnishing both Jones’ and the UFC’s reputation: “This is really hurting the reputation of the UFC and disregards the credibility of the champion as well as of the whole organization.”

However, not all fans are against Jones. One supporter believes that regardless of the criticism, ‘Bones’ will prove himself when the fight happens: “Bro, I think he knows he can’t beat Aspinall and that’s all, but in my eyes, this will not change the fact that he is the GOAT.”

Another fan speculated that Jones’ true motive isn’t age or fear, but his desire to surpass Cain Velasquez’s record—a feat made more interesting given Velasquez’s close friendship with Jones’ bitter rival, Daniel Cormier: “It’s the only reason Jones hasn’t agreed to fight Tom yet. He wants at least 1 record at HW and the easiest is the longest reign for him. Too old for most title defenses etc. and as great as Jones is even he knows he’s getting old and fighting Tom will be a tough fight.”

With the heavyweight division in limbo, fans are left debating Jones’ intentions. Is he truly delaying the fight to cement his legacy, or is there something more at play? Drop your thoughts below!