The UFC heavyweight division has come to a frustrating and stagnant halt, and there’s one man at the center of it all: Jon Jones. Once hailed as the pound-for-pound greatest mixed martial artist of all time, Jones now seems more interested in protecting his legacy than defending his title. And while the UFC has long enabled his behavior, it’s becoming increasingly clear that his current inactivity is hurting the division—especially interim champion Tom Aspinall.

Jon Jones Has Fought Once Since March 2023

After a three-year hiatus from competition, Jon Jones returned at UFC 285 in March 2023, making quick work of Ciryl Gane to capture the vacant heavyweight title. At the time, the return was celebrated. It marked the beginning of a new chapter in Jones’ legendary career—one where he could test himself against the best big men in the sport and perhaps even cement his GOAT status.

But since that night, Jones has only defended the belt once, fighting Stipe Miocic in November 2024—a full 20 months after winning it. The inactivity has become inexcusable, and worse, there’s no indication that things are changing. As of summer 2025, there is no opponent lined up, no training camp in sight, and no willingness to address the true number one contender, Tom Aspinall.

Tom Aspinall Deserves More Than This

Of all the fighters impacted by Jon Jones’ hiatus, none are more affected than Tom Aspinall, the reigning interim heavyweight champion. The 31-year-old Brit stepped up on short notice to headline UFC 295 in November 2023 after Jones suffered a torn pectoral muscle that derailed his original title defense.

Aspinall didn’t just step up—he demolished Sergei Pavlovich in the first round, capturing the interim belt in spectacular fashion and proving that he’s the most dangerous rising force in the division. Since then, he has defended his interim title, stayed active, and made it clear that he wants nothing more than a unification bout with Jones.

But instead of getting the respect or opportunity he’s earned, Aspinall is being sidelined, forced to wait as Jones refuses to engage with him either in the octagon or in negotiation.

Jones Is Tarnishing His Own Legacy with Arrogance and Inactivity

Jon Jones should have been the greatest champion in UFC history, full stop. He has the résumé, the accolades, and the raw skill that transcends eras. But while his achievements are undeniable, so are his repeated missteps—legal troubles, failed drug tests, contract disputes, and now, a glaring refusal to fight the best.

After his injury in 2023, many fans and pundits believed that Jones should have been stripped of the heavyweight title. He was projected to be out for over a year, and in almost any other case, the UFC would have moved forward. But instead, they protected Jones, created an interim belt, and allowed him to recover in peace while still holding the status of “undisputed champion.”

Fast forward to November 2024, and Jones finally got his so-called “legacy fight” against Stipe Miocic—a 41-year-old former champion who hadn’t fought since 2021. Jones won the fight, but the matchup itself was one-sided and widely criticized as irrelevant in the current heavyweight landscape. Aspinall was sidelined from unification in favor of a nostalgia act, and fans noticed.

Aspinall vs Jones Is the Real Fight to Make—But Jones Isn’t Interested

Following his win over Miocic, Jon Jones made one thing clear: he doesn’t want to fight Tom Aspinall. He’s never called him out, never responded to respectful callouts from the Brit, and instead, turned his attention to Alex Pereira, the light heavyweight champion.

Jones claimed that Pereira was “the fight the fans wanted”, but that sentiment doesn’t align with reality. Fans want clarity in the heavyweight division. They want the two champions to unify the belt. They want to see if the younger, faster, and hungrier Aspinall can dethrone the aging legend.

Instead, Jones is using the same tactics he employed when Francis Ngannou was champion—stalling, pricing himself out, and only agreeing to matchups that favor his brand and legacy, not the sport’s competitive integrity.

Jon Jones Is Holding the Division Hostage—And the UFC Is Letting Him

The most frustrating part of this saga is that the UFC is enabling Jon Jones’ behavior. By not stripping him of the belt, or at the very least mandating a unification fight, the organization is allowing one fighter to bottleneck an entire division.

This is no longer about respecting a champion’s timeline or giving a legend time to recover. This is about a fighter with leverage manipulating that power to avoid dangerous fights, all while other contenders are frozen in place. Fighters like Aspinall, Jailton Almeida, Sergei Pavlovich, and even Curtis Blaydes have no idea what comes next.

And while UFC President Dana White has historically spoken out against champions who hold divisions up, his silence on the Jon Jones-Aspinall situation is deafening.

Meanwhile, Jones Is Trolling Fans and Enjoying His Life

Adding insult to injury, Jon Jones isn’t just inactive—he’s publicly flaunting it. On social media, he’s dismissed fans’ concerns, trolled Aspinall supporters, and posted travel updates that showcase his global adventures rather than training footage.

He’s living the good life—traveling, partying, and defending a title only on paper. And while no one begrudges a fighter their downtime, there’s a difference between healing and hiding. At this point, Jones appears to be doing the latter, much to the chagrin of fans who have waited years to see him tested at heavyweight.

Tom Aspinall’s Patience Is Wearing Thin

To his credit, Tom Aspinall has handled the situation with class and professionalism. He’s refrained from harsh words, respected Jones’ legacy, and publicly asked only for the opportunity he’s earned. But even he seems to be reaching a breaking point.

In recent interviews, Aspinall has hinted at frustration, saying he “doesn’t understand” why the UFC won’t book the fight. He’s also expressed willingness to fight other contenders—even if it means defending his interim title again rather than waiting for Jones.

But make no mistake—Aspinall vs Jones is the real fight the UFC needs to make, not just for belts, but for the health of the division and the sport.

What’s Next? UFC Must Make a Decision Soon

As the summer of 2025 rolls on, the UFC has a decision to make: continue enabling Jon Jones’ inactive reign, or put the division back in motion. If Jones refuses to fight by the end of the year, the UFC must do one of the following:

1. Strip him of the title and promote Tom Aspinall to undisputed champion.

2. Set a deadline for a unification bout and enforce it contractually.

3. Allow Aspinall to headline a major card and defend against a top contender, with the understanding that the interim title carries more weight than the belt Jones refuses to defend.

At this point, any move that keeps Jones on the throne without action is a disservice to the athletes, the fans, and the sport.

Final Thoughts: Time Is Running Out for Jon Jones

There’s no denying Jon Jones’ place in MMA history, but legacies aren’t just built on accomplishments—they’re maintained through actions. And right now, Jones’ legacy is being eroded by inactivity, arrogance, and indifference.

The UFC heavyweight division deserves better. Tom Aspinall deserves better. And the fans—who have stuck with Jones through all the ups and downs—deserve better, too.

If Jon Jones wants to go out on top, he needs to face Tom Aspinall and prove once and for all that he is the best heavyweight in the world. Until then, he’s not defending a title—he’s holding it hostage.