Jon Jones, the reigning UFC heavyweight champion, continues to dominate MMA headlines despite not fighting since UFC 309. The MMA community is buzzing with anticipation for a potential showdown with interim champion Tom Aspinall, but Jones remains hesitant. Javier Mendez, head coach at American Kickboxing Academy and mentor to Islam Makhachev, recently shared his take on why “Bones” is avoiding this high-stakes fight.

In a candid discussion with coach Tim Welch, Mendez revealed that Jones, a competitor who thrives on winning, may not feel confident about facing Aspinall. “Jon Jones doesn’t take fights he doesn’t think he can win,” Mendez said. “If he doesn’t see a clear advantage, he’s not stepping in. For him to take on Aspinall, the UFC might need to offer a massive payday.” This perspective sheds light on Jones’ cautious approach, despite his teasing comments during the UFC 309 post-fight interview.

The UFC fandom has been vocal about wanting this blockbuster fight, but Jones’ reluctance has left Aspinall frustrated. The interim champion, who once crossed paths with Jones at a fitness expo, even tried to spark an impromptu face-off, only to be rebuffed. With little progress toward booking the fight, Aspinall is now considering other opponents, potentially playing into Jones’ strategy.

Despite UFC CEO Dana White’s assurances that the Jones-Aspinall clash is inevitable, there’s been no concrete movement. Jones recently dismissed claims of ducking Aspinall but remained silent about his next fight. As the saga continues, fans are left wondering if the UFC’s heavyweight division will see this dream matchup. Stay updated with the latest MMA news at Sportskeeda and follow the ongoing drama in the octagon!