Jon Jones confirms career move amid retirement claims after Dana White issues defiant update on Tom Aspinall UFC fight
JON JONES has issued a major statement on his future amid the continued uncertainty of a super-fight with Tom Aspinall.
A historic heavyweight title unification bout between the undisputed and interim titleholders has been on the cards since last November but has yet to come to fruition.
The UFC recently met Jones’ demand to be paid “f**k you money” to face the Brit, which many thought would scupper the mammoth melee.
Many MMA fans have predicted Jones could snub the fight and sail off into the sunset, a scenario the former pound-for-pound king has, for the time being, ruled out.
In an Instagram post featuring a room in his house with fight posters from cards he’s fought on, he wrote: “Now, as you can see… still haven’t framed or hung the Stipe fight yet.
“Been moving a million miles an hour lately. But there’s one last perfect spot left on my wall of victory.
“And looking at this wall, it really hits me. This isn’t just artwork.
“It’s legacy. Every poster tells a story. Different chapters.
“Different homes. Different battles. Wins that meant the world at the time. Fights that made history.
“I’ve said it before, my career hasn’t been perfect, but it’s been undeniably legendary. Epic. Special.
“Just a few words that come to mind. Legend after legend. Era after era.
“What I’m most proud of? I’ve evolved. I’m so much more than just a fighter.
“I’m a man growing stronger in my faith, a family man, a loyal brother to my team, a businessman, a leader, a man for my community.
” And I know – without a doubt – my mother would be proud of the man I’ve become.
“The wall’s almost filled… but trust me, the story’s still being written. The best is yet to come.”
Jones’ insistence that his “best is yet to come” came just days after UFC supremo Dana White insisted his proposed fight with Aspinall will come to fruition.
Commenting on since-retracted claims the fight has been ‘agreed’, White said late last month: “Everything you hear is bulls**t until we say it.”
He added: “I’ve said it many times, that’s the fight we want to make this year, [I’m] still super confident [it happens].”
“I’ve said since Day One that this would be the biggest heavyweight fight in the history of the company and the history of the sport.
“This will be a big one.”
Jones has been out of the cage since his stunning spinning back kick stoppage of former heavyweight king Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 last November.
Aspinall, meanwhile, has been on the sidelines since decimating Curtis Blaydes in just 60 seconds in their UFC 304 rematch last July.