When Jon Jones returned following a three-year layoff to win the heavyweight title in 2023, fans were hoping it marked the start of a new, active chapter in his career. But he fought just once last year against former two-time champion Stipe Miocic. Now, in 2025, there’s no clarity on whether he’ll even step into the Octagon this year. With growing pressure for Jones to face interim champion Tom Aspinall in a title unification bout, signs now point to the matchup slipping further out of reach.

The clash seemed inevitable, especially after UFC president Dana White said the fight “will happen.” Aspinall even admitted he had been “sworn to secrecy” about ongoing discussions, giving the impression that something was brewing behind closed doors. However, a fresh twist has now emerged.

UFC analyst Din Thomas, speaking with Mike Bohn, claimed, “If I had to put my money on it, I think they convinced Tom Aspinall to fight Ciryl Gane.” That statement has cast serious doubt on the long-awaited Jones-Aspinall matchup. Thomas suggested that the UFC is likely dangling a lucrative offer in front of Gane. “Tom wants to fight. He’ll be like, ‘Alright, I’ll fight.’ I think they’ll throw a number at Ciryl Gane. It won’t be ideal for him, but they’ll throw a number that he can’t refuse,e and he’ll have to take it. I think it makes more sense that way,” he explained.

Previously, former MMA fighter and analyst Chael Sonnen echoed a similar update. About a week ago, Sonnen posted a video on Instagram stating, “Accordingly to a remarkably good source, Jon Jones is going to be afforded the ability to wait 180 days, which is equivalent to six months, which is what he asked for. Tom Aspinal is going to fight with Ciryl Gane, and now we’re going to defend an interim champion with the existence of an undisputed champion, which is against the laws of logic.”

Despite having only one title defense, Jon Jones recently added another record to his already impressive resume. On 27th April, ‘Bones’ officially became the second-longest reigning heavyweight champion in UFC history. His reign hit 785 days, surpassing Stipe Miocic’s 784-day run. Only Cain Velasquez, who held the title for 896 days, sits above him on that list. But there is a huge asterisk on this one.

Not everyone is celebrating this streak. Many are questioning Jones’ unwillingness to step into the Octagon and defend his belt against the rightful contender. The Stipe Miocic bout only really proved it was his time to retire. Advertised as a GOAT vs. GOAT fight, it did little for the title picture of the division. Like Sonnen said, it violated the laws of logic that the interim champion is forced to defend his belt while the champion is fighting anyone but the interim title holder. And if we are adhering to the laws of logic, then Jon Jones is not the undisputed champion as long as Aspinall and the interim belt exist in the division. And Din Thomas has tried to explain what Jones’ motives are.

Din Thomas has an interesting take on Jon Jones’ approach to fights

Din Thomas believes the reigning champion is deliberately biding his time. He didn’t hold back in his assessment of Jones’ approach. Speaking to Mike Bohn in the same episode, he said, “Jon is a chess player. He’s a very intellectual chess player. And he’s trying to collect as much information on Tom Aspinall as possible. We haven’t seen Tom in a lot of tough spots. We don’t know how he’s gonna respond to that and I think Jon’s probably waiting on that.”

While that may make sense from a tactical point of view, fans are growing restless. Tom Aspinall isn’t just sitting around either. In fact, he recently set the record for the longest-reigning interim champion in UFC history. He’s active, he’s sharp, and most importantly, he’s ready to fight. “The UFC really, really want the fight to happen… One thing that I want to be really clear on, I am only fighting for the undisputed title,” Tom Aspinall told ‘MMA Fighting’. “That’s my only discrepancy. I will fight absolutely anyone. We can look through my record. You can speak to any promoter that I’ve ever worked with, UFC or otherwise. I have absolutely never turned down a fight in my life.”

With the UFC potentially steering Aspinall toward Ciryl Gane, the division finds itself in an unusual spot. For now, Jon Jones continues to extend his record without stepping into the cage, and Aspinall may be left to carry the division forward on his own. The title picture remains murky, the clock keeps ticking, and the fans are left wondering: Will Jon Jones ever fight Tom Aspinall? What do you think?