UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones has fans concerned after posting a troubling series of now-deleted tweets. Jones, 36, is unheralded when it comes to shock and awe. Contrarily said, shock and “awe” also come in the form of his social media exploits. Now, the MMA can’t make heads or tails of it all.
With Jon Jones’ first title defense vs. Stipe Miocic yet to be an official bill, much is up in the air. The duo almost fought in the November pay-per-view headliner last year. But ‘Bones’ suffered a pectoral tear and another subsequent elbow surgery. Meanwhile, British heavyweight Tom Aspinall was eager to unify his belt with Jones, but in vain. What Jones has (had) to say is borderline concerning amid all.
Getting half my finger cut off at Las Vegas airport
Jon Jones in a since-deleted tweet (via @JonnyBones)
Jones has had his share of catching heat for stalling the 265-pound division. By his own admission, he might consider retirement after a meager maiden defense and a big payout. While ‘Bones’ did delete his spree, fans took notice of his erraticness. Some fear more injury while not jumping to any conclusions.
A torn ACL? Something specifically to do with his limbs or “finger”? As it turns out, this isn’t his first ritualistic tweet spree that has come off as alarming. While ambiguous, Jones’ tweets could also just be him running into trouble at an airport. All in all, Jones is in trouble and it does not bode well for the division yet again. Consequently, there’s some thought on that.
Interim heavyweight champion Aspinall runs things back with Curtis Blaydes in the July 27 pay-per-view in Manchester. The Englishman had high hopes of unifying his gold with Jon Jones. But now that he can’t, he gets to defend his interim belt instead. The heavyweight division has been in shambles with an absent Jones touting legacy and going on tweet sprees.
Tom Aspinall vs. Curtis Blaydes could help fill the void from Jon Jones (Source: es.agfight.com/IMAGO)Jon Anik says after some 3 1/2 years of gap, Miocic is the most tempered component of this bracket right now. Jones’ quick submission of Ciryl Gane at UFC 285 remains his only heavyweight ballot appearance to date. So even if he wins over Miocic, the conversation draws further. Conversely, defeating Jones takes Miocic far closer to the all-time G.O.A.T. conversation.
The interim belt is there because the undisputed title can’t be contested for whatever reason, so as far as I’m concerned, Tom Aspinall is defending the heavyweight championship…I’d like to see some pressure on this heavyweight division to move forward. There are a lot of things that are happening, and hopefully we get clarity.
Jon Anik via MMA Junkie Radio with “Gorgeous” George and “Goze”
Alexander Volkov is in a stronger poll position for title opportunities after elongating his win streak. Gane and Jailton Almeida tread closer behind in the equation. As such, a legacy fight between Jones and a 42-year-old is the least driving factor in the division. Anik hopes Aspinall vs. Blaydes help clarify the situation.
If either of them emerged unscathed from a 25-minute battle, they’d have proved they were ready for bigger things. Aspinall has long yearned for it; Blaydes wouldn’t ignore the chance either. Anik thinks one of them could definitely contend for the spot of “legitimate champion” given that Jon Jones or Miocic decided to call quits after their legacy battle.
