Jon Jones retorts at fan's "has-been" comment with lengthy explanation after title fight leak: "I gained a few pounds after surgery"
Jon Jones recently countered a fan's demand for him to relinquish the undisputed heavyweight title following the leak of his championship fight. 'Bones' is currently recovering from an unexpected pectoral injury, which resulted in his withdrawal from a title defense against Stipe Miocic at UFC 295 in November last year.
The setback has temporarily sidelined the reigning heavyweight champion, with expectations for the eventual rescheduling of the bout with Miocic. Interestingly, Jones recently asserted that he is slated to return against Miocic on Nov. 9 at Madison Square Garden in New York City in a post that has since been deleted.
However, Jones' claim did not sit well with an X user who derisively suggested that 'Bones,' once a dominant force, is no longer at the peak of his career and should relinquish his title:
"Vacate the title you has-been."
Jones responded that even if he weren't at his peak, he could still compete at a high level for another five years:
"The guy who’s probably a never been on the internet calling me a has been?? I gained a few pounds after surgery, have gray hair in my beard, and now I am being called a has been!?"
He added:
"Even if I wasn’t the best anymore, I could go on and fight the best guys another five years if I wanted to. I would never not be top 10 in the world, could always step in there and make millions."
Check out Jon Jones' post below:
While Jones is currently on hiatus, interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall is set to defend his title against Curtis Blaydes in the co-main event at UFC 304 on July 27. Aspinall has repeatedly called for a title unification bout against Jones in recent months.
However, the American remains adamant about facing Miocic next, and the UFC has shown little interest in entertaining Aspinall's requests.
Jon Jones hits back at Tom Aspinall and UFC 304 co-main event
Jon Jones quickly responded to Tom Aspinall's recent accusations that 'Bones' was stalling the division.
Following UFC CEO Dana White's announcement of Aspinall's title fight against Curtis Blaydes as the co-main event of UFC 304, the British fighter released a reaction video on his YouTube channel, taking a jab at Jones:
"Bit of a strange conundrum with my division. Usually, when the champ is coming back, the interim [champion] would obviously fight the champ. Jon Jones is holding sh*t up, let’s be honest. He’s playing games."
Check out Tom Aspinall's comments below (1:24):
'Bones' fired back with a fiery message on X, reminding Aspinall that he is defending his belt in a co-main event slot beneath the welterweight title fight between Leon Edwards and Belal Muhammad:
"Trolls telling me I’m slowing down the division by getting injured. Meanwhile, the next two heavyweights aren’t even a main event? Interesting. I’m on the right path, I got until November to remind the world. Again."
Check out Jon Jones' post below: