Jon Jones, dubbed the GOAT of MMA, is also renowned as one of the most methodical fighters of all time. The UFC heavyweight champion is a terrific thinker with one of the greatest fighting IQs in the sport, and he frequently examines his opponents in depth before facing them. With a possible fight against Tom Aspinall in the making for 2025, ‘Bones’ has already started playing his mind games.

Taking to his Instagram, the UFC heavyweight fighter shared a photoshopped picture of all champions in the UFC dressed up as gladiators. The lift had everyone from Ilia Topuria and Merab Dvalishvili to Alex Pereira and Islam Makhachev at the very front with Jon Jones. However, what caught everyone by surprise is that at the very back of the photograph, fans can notice Tom Aspinall standing in the corner.

This definitely is no coincidence. After all, Jon Jones has claimed time and again that he does not consider Tom Aspinall to be a great fighter yet. According to the UFC heavyweight champion, the Briton has yet to defeat top-tier opponents in the roster and earn more victories before he could give him a challenge. This is why he instead opts for a clash against Alex Pereira rather than the interim champion. However, Dana White has promised that he will be giving fans the fight they want.

After all, ever since Jon Jones hinted at retirement, fans have been calling him out for ducking a fight against the British powerhouse. In Tom Aspinall‘s opinion, Jon Jones has a secret desire to confront him, as his ego tends to speak louder when confronted and doubted by public opinion. But not all fans think that way, especially after we go through the comment section of the morphed photograph.

Fans join Jon Jones in mocking Tom Aspinall

As soon as Jon Jones uploaded the post on Instagram, fans quickly joined in on the fun. Many fans of the heavyweight champion actually agreed with the fact that Tom Aspinall was put at the very back of the photograph. After all, according to them, the Briton is an interim champion and should not be standing right at the front with other champions of the promotion. Praising the UFC heavyweight champion’s humor in the picture, the fans wrote in the comments, “Oh snap, just realized Tom is in the back, [3x laughing emoji].”, “Hahahaha, putting Aspinall all the way at the back,” “Aspinall spinning [head spinning emoji] from the back [5x laughing emoji], “where he deserves,” and “Tom in the back [3x skull emoji].”

However, not everyone was agreeing with ‘Bones.’ The allegations of ducking a fight against the Briton did not stop haunting the 37-year-old fighter, even in the comment section of the post. Clearly miffed by this mockery of the interim champion, who has been asking for a fight, fans were quick to remind Jones that Tom Aspinall is a fighter who can surely give him a run for his money. Taking to the comments, fans shared their support for the Briton with comments such as, “Even staying away from Tom on his posts,” “Tom should be at the front,” and “There is a man in the back that will conquer you.”

There was another section of fans who were left more confused than offended by the placements of the fighter. In the picture, Jones decided to put Alex Pereira and himself behind Islam Makhachev, possibly as a sign to show that he approved of Makhachev being the number one fighter on the P4P list. Nevertheless, it was still a move that left many confused as they wrote, “Why Tf is Islam at the front?” “Islam should NOT be in the front,” and “Wait, why is Islam in front?” Well, it looks like the post got all the attention it deserved.

But what do you think? Do you agree with the placements of the fighters? Let us know in the comments.