Jon Jones has agreed to fight Tom Aspinall, offering an alternative path for fans seeking a heavyweight showdown, but he has firmly dismissed the prospect of a UFC superfight. Jones, focused on securing a lucrative final payday as he nears retirement, believes that meeting Aspinall inside the octagon under UFC’s banner does not enhance his legacy or long-term UFC standing.

Recently, Jones shifted his attention toward business ventures, partnering with UFC veteran Mike Perry to launch a new fighting promotion called Dirty Boxing. This new project has drawn attention away from his UFC career. During an interview, Jones outlined clear terms for his comeback, hinting at his intention to promote and fight within this new platform rather than accepting traditional UFC matchups.

If you come to dirty boxing. You will find out tomorrow night. Whoever comes to dirty boxing, yes.
—Jon Jones via X

Jones has spent much of his time away from UFC contests building his business empire, using his fame similarly to Conor McGregor’s approach with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC), aiming to elevate Dirty Boxing. Meanwhile, Tom Aspinall has grown impatient, publicly declaring himself the undisputed heavyweight champion and suggesting Jones has effectively retired from MMA.

UFC President Dana White has echoed support for Aspinall as the future face of the heavyweight division, further underscoring the shifting dynamics inside the promotion. Despite Jones’s refusal to unify the heavyweight title with Aspinall inside the UFC, the heavyweight division remains in a state of flux and uncertainty.

Challenges Facing the UFC Heavyweight Division’s Momentum

The UFC heavyweight division, once regarded as the most formidable and thrilling, is struggling to maintain its previous intensity. Early battles pitting legends like Cain Velasquez, Stipe Miocic, and Francis Ngannou showcased power and technique at their peak, delivering dramatic bouts that captivated and terrified fans. Now, that momentum has faltered, significantly impacted by Jones’s absence from the title scene and the lack of clear contenders.

Tom Aspinall remains one of the few top heavyweights actively competing and achieving success, while several contenders appear hesitant or unwilling to seize immediate opportunities. This hesitancy has drawn sharp criticism, highlighting a perceived lack of drive within the division.

I mean, the heavyweights are the biggest bunch of cowards that we’ve got. We’ve got a sport that’s full of tough guys. But if you were to condense them down, like who is truly the biggest wimp, it would have to be the heavyweights. Like you don’t really have a choice, you don’t have an interim champion in your division because your division is strong; you don’t have an unwilling champion heading up your division because your division is courageous. You don’t have two belt holders in a division that can’t agree on a date where they’re going to come, roll their sleeves up and figure this out.
—Chael Sonnen via his YT Channel

Former UFC contender Chael Sonnen criticized the division’s inactivity and inability to resolve championship disputes, arguing that heavyweights have failed to show the toughness expected in MMA. This discord creates a void with no definitive champion or contender matchup to excite fans and maintain the division’s reputation.

Internal Pressures and Negotiations Surrounding Jones and Aspinall

Among the division’s top fighters, names like Curtis Blaydes and Alexander Volkov have openly advocated for stripping Jon Jones of the heavyweight title due to his prolonged absence. Yet, Jones’s celebrity status and negotiating leverage have allowed him to delay any title unification bouts. His priority appears to be securing a substantial financial reward before stepping away, with UFC reportedly willing to accommodate his demands.

Despite this, Jones is cautious about facing Tom Aspinall, a young knockout specialist who poses a real risk to his unbeaten legacy. His reluctance reflects a calculated decision to protect his reputation, as he tends to avoid fights that could significantly damage his record through defeat.

With Jones focused on Dirt Boxing and selective in the fights he accepts, the heavyweight division faces an uncertain future. Aspinall’s confidence as the division’s frontrunner and Dana White’s backing may force the UFC to reconsider its approach, either by promoting Aspinall more aggressively or finding new pathways to engage Jones.