What does it mean when Jon Jones fires back at his critics and challengers on social media? The undisputed heavyweight champion has been involved in a back-and-forth with interim champion Tom Aspinall online. The British UFC star has been subtly and not-so-subtly poking at Jones, questioning his legacy and even bringing up his past issues with PEDs. But Jones, a master of the mental game, usually plays it cool—at least on the surface.

So, why is he biting back? According to a UFC veteran and someone who has stepped into the cage against the man himself, ‘Bones’s reactions to Tom Aspinall’s jabs may reveal a deeper look into the mindset of the undisputed champion, possibly more than he intends!

UFC veteran points out the hidden meaning behind Jon Jones’s social media responses  

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chael Sonnen, never one to mince his words, thinks that there’s more going on with Jon Jones than he lets on. He suggested that the fans who taunt Jones, accusing him of ducking a fight with Aspinall, aren’t really scared that the fight won’t happen. Instead, they’re using reverse psychology to lure Jones into the octagon. They know how to push his buttons, and Jones, ever the competitor, can’t resist pushing back.

However, Sonnen then stated, “So, Jon will always respond to the PED accusations, that bothers him and he will always play it as though it does not bother him but it does. It will get a response 100% of the time and within the response that is showing that he doesn’t care, he will offer a defense and that’s how you know that he cares.”

Jones’s social media defenses, especially when it comes to PED accusations, are particularly telling. Sonnen noted that whenever Jones is accused, he doesn’t just brush it off. Instead, he dives into a defense, explaining the minute details—like the infamous “picogram” incident, where he was found to have a trace amount of a banned substance in his system.

But in doing so, does he reveal a vulnerability? Sonnen believes, “He will find a way in those accusations to make sure to mention to the world that it was a picogram which is a grain of salt in an Olympic size (pool)… so like it’s one of these things. You’re never going to get cleared on the facts ever. Nobody knows what you’re saying, nobody knows what a Picogram… it’s one of these things.”

Could this be exactly what Tom Aspinall and his supporters are aiming for? Is the plan to get Jon Jones so riled up that he feels the need to prove himself in the Octagon once again? It seems that this might be the case. It’s not just Chael Sonnen who believes Tom Aspinall’s tactics could pay off. One of Jones’s biggest rivals in the UFC thinks we might be closer to an Aspinall vs. Jones fight than ever before!

Former ‘champ-champ’ believes Tom Aspinall might be getting under Jones’s skin  

Could Tom Aspinall’s unconventional strategy finally be rattling the great Jon Jones? Daniel Cormier, who knows Jon Jones better than most, believes so. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Cormier remarked that he thought while Aspinall may have “fumbled” his UFC 304 post-fight interview call-out of ‘Bones’, his growing frustration might actually be his secret weapon.

The former ‘champ-champ’ explained, “He was very respectful in that interview, and what does respectful get you? It doesn’t really get you all that you want. Now respect’s out the window with this dude, and he’s just telling it how it is.” Aspinall’s recent comment hinting at Jones’ possible use of PEDs was a direct hit, according to Cormier. He further explained, “Tom Aspinall is being disrespectful now, and I think that is going to work to his advantage in terms of getting this fight.”

This has now raised several questions about their possible clash. Will Tom Aspinall’s strategy pay off, leading to the showdown that fans are eagerly awaiting? Or will Jon Jones continue to brush off the challenger, keeping the fight just out of reach? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!