Jon Jones Walks Out on UK Interview Over Tom Aspinall Drama
In a recent turn of events, UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones walked out of an interview with a UK broadcaster after recognizing the interviewer’s connection to Tom Aspinall. With tensions rising over Jones’s refusal to fight Aspinall, this move added fuel to the ongoing drama between the two fighters.
Jones Exits Interview Over Tom Aspinall Ties
A video from UFC’s UK broadcast partner, TNT Sports, shows Jones arriving for an interview but abruptly leaving once he realized that Adam Catterall, who co-hosts a show with Aspinall, was set to conduct it. Jones seemed uncomfortable with the association and made his stance clear, “Hey, I’m not gonna do this interview,” he said as he turned to leave, “You know, because it’s going to be an Aspinall-fest. I’m not going to do it. Come on, let’s go.”
While Jones later reassured Catterall it was “nothing personal,” he pointed out that “common sense tells me what type of questions I’m going to get asked.” Catterall, in response, acknowledged Jones’s decision, saying, “You’re entitled to… speak to who you want to.”
Jones Refuses to Engage on Tom Aspinall Topic
Jones’s decision to avoid the interview stems from his ongoing refusal to fight Aspinall. The interim heavyweight champion has been vocal about his desire for a title unification bout, but Jones has repeatedly dismissed this matchup, expressing frustration over Aspinall and his fanbase. Jones recently commented that Aspinall and his fans were “assholes” and suggested he would only discuss this topic with media outlets favorable to him.
Instead of engaging with Catterall, Jones eventually sat down with a more neutral TNT Sports host, Nick Peet, continuing his interview without addressing Aspinall directly.
Fans Speculate
Some fans have speculated that Jones’s recent comments and actions are part of a promotional strategy aimed at building anticipation for a fight with Aspinall. However, sources close to Jones suggest he’s no longer interested in facing up-and-coming challengers and would rather focus on “fun fights” or higher-profile opponents like Alex Pereira or Derrick Lewis.
“He wants to fight who he wants to fight,” shared one insider, hinting that Jones’s interest wanes when it comes to taking on opponents who might pose a stylistic challenge. Aspinall, known for his skillset and rising popularity, could be seen as a tough matchup, one that Jones might prefer to avoid as he enters the final stages of his career.
Aspinall recently labelled the Jones-Miocic fight as a “disputed” title bout, questioning why he wasn’t granted a shot at Jones’s belt despite being the interim champion. This sentiment has resonated with fans who feel that, as the sport’s top fighters, Jones and Aspinall should go head-to-head to determine the true heavyweight champion.
Fans have voiced concerns that Jones’s avoidance of Aspinall could tarnish his legacy, arguing that the heavyweight champ should be willing to face the division’s most formidable challengers. Aspinall’s skill and popularity have only increased the public’s desire for a showdown, making Jones’s continued reluctance all the more divisive.
Next Steps: Avoiding or Strategizing?
With UFC 309 on the horizon, Jones seems determined to follow his own path in the heavyweight division, regardless of public opinion. While his walkout from the UK interview raises questions about his mindset, it also underlines his firm stance on who he deems worthy of a title shot.
Whether Jones’s aversion to fighting Aspinall is a calculated strategy or simple disinterest, it’s clear that he’s in no hurry to face the British star. For now, fans will have to wait and see if the UFC heavyweight champion will ever acknowledge Aspinall as a legitimate contender or if he will continue to focus on hand-picked matchups instead.
