UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones has lined up his next project, and it`s notably not a fight against Tom Aspinall.
The champion hasn`t competed since successfully defending his title with a knockout win over Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 last November.
Since that time, discussions have centered around a potential title unification bout against interim champion Tom Aspinall.
UFC CEO Dana White has strongly assured that the fight will occur in 2025, yet the lack of an official announcement has led fans to question whether Jon Jones might avoid a clash with the English striking specialist.
Jon Jones and Nate Diaz Confirmed for Coaching Roles
On Friday, it was revealed that UFC fan favorite Nate Diaz will be involved in Jon Jones’ next endeavor.
Naturally, the lightweight and welterweight MMA icon will not be stepping into the cage for a real fight against `Bones`.
Instead, they are set to face off as rival coaches on a Russian reality television series titled `ALF Reality`, likened to Russia`s version of `The Ultimate Fighter`.
As information about the Jones vs. Diaz collaboration spread across social media, fans quickly accused arguably the greatest fighter in MMA history of avoiding Aspinall.
One fan commented, “Bro, you have a belt to defend.” Another added, “Jon is doing everything except fighting Aspinall.”
A third user on X wrote, “Anything but fighting Aspinall. Anyone else would have been stripped by now.”
Someone else angrily wrote, “Wait, Jon will face Nate but not Aspinall??? Man, Dana White, fire this f***ing motherf***er.”
A fifth fan remarked, “Okay, I definitely wasn’t expecting this on the TL.”
This fan asserted, “It`s official: Jon Jones has ducked Tom Aspinall.”
Dana White`s Latest Update on Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall
Last month, UFC CEO Dana White was present cageside, watching Ian Garry defeat Carlos Prates in the main event at UFC Kansas City.
Following the event, White answered questions from the assembled press, who were eager to learn more about the Jones vs. Aspinall situation amidst conflicting reports regarding the highly anticipated champion versus champion bout.
White insisted, “Everything you hear is bullshit until we say it.”
“I`ve said it many times,” he stated, “that`s the fight we want to make this year.”
He concluded, “Still super confident [it happens].”
Rupert Hartwell