“The heavyweight fight will happen. Just relax, I’ll announce that soon.” UFC head honcho Dana White has once again kept us hopeful that we’ll finally see Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall. But the biggest showdown of this century isn’t as easy to put together as it sounds. It’s been over six months since the heavyweight champion last stepped into the Octagon, and nearly a year for the interim champ. ‘Bones’ has taken the bulk of the blame for the delay, but it seems the UFC Brass also has been playing a part. 

It’s been frustrating for fans not to see two of the biggest stars collide in the cage. So when Jon Jones flew off to Thailand to enjoy life, fans erupted, accusing him of doing everything except fighting Aspinall. Things got so out of hand that the British juggernaut himself expressed total dissatisfaction with the situation and, for a moment, seemed ready to move on from the dream superfight altogether.

However, Dana White has always remained optimistic about the heavyweight unification bout coming to fruition. Recently, the UFC head honcho did a quick street interview with MMA Pros Pick, where he acknowledged Jones’s trip to Thailand but still confidently confirmed that the fight is happening in 2025. When asked about the heavyweight champ’s trip in Thailand, Dana said, “What was weird in Thailand? Like partying? He’s fighting. He’ll be fighting.” And when the reporter followed up with, “2025?” Dana simply replied, “Yes!”

Following Dana’s brief moment of reassurance that the heavyweight clash will indeed happen this year, Jon Jones found himself in a bit of an online squabble. Some fans have called for him to be stripped of the title due to his inactivity. According to a post on Instagram by Full Send MMA, one X user wrote, “Enjoying the last days as champ before being stripped, I see eh Jon?” To which Jones replied, “Stripped? Lol, do I come across as the type of person who cares about things like that?”

The online back-and-forth didn’t stop there. Another user posted, “Yes, otherwise you’d have vacated the belt a long time ago, because you don’t plan to fight Tom.” Jon fired back again: “Y’all barking up the wrong tree. I told my plans to the UFC a long time ago. I have no clue why they haven’t shared them with you guys yet.” Following that interesting reply, the heavyweight champ, while casually enjoying a coconut water drink, added, “I’m over here, sipping on a coconut, talking about when you gonna fight.”

So many questions! If Jon Jones really did present his plans to the UFC, and Tom Aspinall is practically begging for the fight, what’s stopping them from making the announcement? Well, there could be a number of things in play. But with the champ saying he doesn’t know why the promotion hasn’t shared anything yet, does that mean the deal is already done, and there are just other hurdles to clear? We’ll get our answers when the head honcho decides it’s time.

However, there are still voices within the UFC calling for the current heavyweight champion to be stripped. But the reason behind it might feel a bit off for many, something that may not sit well with everyone. So, let’s find out what he has to say. 

Paddy Pimblett questions why Jon Jones is still not stripped of his title

Jon Jones has been facing growing pressure from frustrated fans for not getting the fight with Tom Aspinall done. But Paddy Pimblett added an interesting twist to the conversation. ‘The Baddy’ made his stance clear after Islam Makhachev vacated his belt to jump up to welterweight for a superfight against Jack Della Maddalena. So, Pimblett couldn’t wrap his head around how Jones is still holding onto his title.

Paddy told TNT Sports: “I don’t think they should make Islam vacate. If you’re making Islam vacate, [Jon] Jones needs to be stripped. If you’re making Islam vacate after four defenses, fighting people on short notice, you should let him try to be double champ.”

Well, the Liverpudlian backed his fellow countryman with that statement. However, it might be a bit out of place, especially considering that the current heavyweight champ has built a reputation strong enough to avoid being stripped. Plus, there could very well be ongoing discussions about his next fight. So, stripping Jon Jones of the title might never actually happen.

With that being said, do you think that Jon Jones vs Tom Aspinall fight is going to be announced soon? Please let us know your thoughts in the comment box below.