It appears UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones is intentionally stirring speculation and perhaps teasing fans.
Since his victory over Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 last November, Jon Jones has faced persistent calls from fans to defend his title against interim champion Tom Aspinall.
His continued delays in scheduling the fight have led to accusations from former opponent Anthony Smith that he is `mentally exhausting` Aspinall.
While inactive from competition, Jones is currently in Thailand filming a Russian reality TV series, where he is set to participate in an unusual segment alongside Nate Diaz.
Jones Addresses Retirement Fears After Recent Comments
During his time in Thailand, Jones was also seen with Hasbulla, further frustrating fans eager for updates on his next fight.
Despite Dana White`s assurance that Jones would compete this year, the fighter widely considered the greatest of all time hinted at retirement during a recorded Facetime call with a former teammate, stating `I`m done`.
His remarks came shortly after he claimed to have informed the UFC of his plans, questioning why the promotion hadn`t yet disclosed them to the public.
However, mere hours after suggesting he was `done`, the 37-year-old champion attempted to alleviate fan concerns about his retirement via a social media post.
“What I feel like returning to the UFC after some much needed downtime,” Jones shared, reposting a video of a dog assertively clearing other dogs from its territory.
Potential Return Date for Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall
Now that Jones is hinting at a UFC return despite his previous `I`m done` remark, speculation turns to the most logical date for a title unification bout.
The promotion has already scheduled its next four pay-per-view main events, with the September event, UFC Noche (UFC 320), set for Guadalajara.
Rumors suggest the UFC`s October PPV will be held in Abu Dhabi, a location Jones is highly unlikely to headline.
This points to November as the most probable date for Jones vs Aspinall. November events are typically held at Madison Square Garden, a venue where Jones previously headlined.
Benedict Kingsley 
Rupert Hartwell