UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones sidelined for nearly a year because of injury, shocked the MMA world last week by hinting at retirement on social media after his upcoming title defense against Stipe Miocic, scheduled for November at Madison Square Garden. Alongside fans, interim champion Tom Aspinall eagerly anticipated a unification fight and expressed a keen desire to face Jon Jones. However, Jones’ retirement suggestion has dampened Aspinall’s hope.

UFC veteran Michael Bisping recently targeted Jon Jones in a YouTube video, accusing the current heavyweight champion of “bullsh**ting.” Bisping compared Jones’s recent retirement announcement to Conor McGregor‘s history of announcing retirement from MMA. The former UFC middleweight champion dismissed Jones’ social media post as a bluff, rather than an official announcement. Despite criticizing Jones’s tactics, Bisping acknowledged the fighter’s remarkable career and the substantial wealth he has accumulated.

Bisping continued his criticism of Jon Jones, revealing that Jones is under pressure because of the potential of facing Tom Aspinall. He added, “He’s feeling the pressure, He’s feeling the pinch, and he knows he’s probably going to have to fight this guy. And if he doesn’t, and if he does retire, right, then I don’t know about his legacy. Yes, to the old-school fans, when he was competing, he is and was the baddest man on the planet.”

This upcoming Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic fight was originally scheduled for November last year at Madison Square Garden but was canceled when Jone suffered an injury during training. This bout was replaced by Sergei Pavlovich vs. Tom Aspinall for the interim title, which Aspinall won. Since then, Aspinall has consistently called out Jones for a title unification fight, but his pleas have been ignored by both Jones and Dana White. Jones’ potential retirement now threatens to derail Aspinall’s plans, a situation criticized by Islam Makhachev.

Islam Makhachev supports Tom Aspinall against UFC

UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev joined Tom Aspinall in calling for a title match against divisional king Jon Jones. Makhachev praised Aspinall’s skills, calling him a dangerous fighter in the heavyweight division, and expressed his desire to see him fight Jones.

In a recent interview with Hosheh MMA, Makhachev explained Aspinall’s desire to fight Jones, saying, “This guy has the interim title, he defended the title, he doesn’t have the real [title]. He has to fight for the real one. Tom Aspinall really deserves [it]… very good, still young, very hungry, and this guy is one of the most dangerous guys in the world.”

Meanwhile, Tom Aspinall’s role in the upcoming Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic is primarily as a backup fighter. However, Dana White’s recent controversial statement that Aspinall doesn’t deserve a title shot against Jones, despite acknowledging his talent, has sparked criticism.

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This, combined with Michael Bisping’s suggestion that Jones is deliberately avoiding facing Aspinall, adds intrigue to Jones’s sudden retirement rumors. Some speculate that Jones’s retirement might be a tactic to avoid a potential fight with Aspinall. What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments below.