Tom Aspinall Teases Clarity on Jon Jones Fight With ‘Heavyweight News’

The cloud of uncertainty surrounding the UFC’s heavyweight division finally appears to be clearing. Since 2023, progress had stalled as the division remained split between two champions — undisputed titleholder Jon Jones and interim champ Tom Aspinall. Earlier this year, the Englishman made history by becoming the longest-reigning interim champion, holding the belt for over 535 days and breaking Renan Barao’s decade-old record.

Still, the lack of clarity around a unification bout has caused growing frustration—both among fans and within Aspinall’s own camp. With no fight against Jon Jones in sight, the British powerhouse and his team have hinted at taking his career in a new direction. Speculation from MMA pundits has even linked him to a potential showdown with former champion interim Ciryl Gane.

Now, Tom Aspinall has stirred the pot even more. In a short Instagram reel, he teased what could be a massive announcement. The caption read, “28:05:2025”, possibly hinting at the date of his next move, followed by, “heavyweight news. coming soon.”

This tease comes as reigning heavyweight champion Jon Jones also dropped hints about his comeback last week . On a recent Instagram story, ‘Bones’ wrote, “What I feel like returning to the UFC after some much needed downtime.” The champ has been out of action for nearly seven months, his last fight being the successful defense of his title against Stipe Miocic.

With Jon Jones sidelined, Tom Aspinall finds himself in limbo—much like UFC lightweight contender Michael Chandler, who wasted over a year waiting for a bout with Conor McGregor that never happened. Fans now fear the Brit could face the same fate, losing valuable time in his prime. Adding to the tension, a UFC veteran recently issued a stark warning to Aspinall about the stalled heavyweight division. Let’s dig deeper into the situation.

Matt Brown warned Tom Aspinall he might face the same outcome as Michael Chandler

Jon Jones believes it’s Tom Aspinall who needs to chase the fight, not the other way around. In an interview with ESPN MMA, ‘Bones’ referenced Conor McGregor’s famous remark, emphasizing that he’s focused on bigger fights that bring significant financial rewards. The New Mexican said,

“Everyone wants to fight me, that’s just what it is… Conor [McGregor] calls it, ‘Red Panty Night’? Tom’s head is in the right place. He should want to fight the top guys in the world. I believe that he has time to fight the top guys in the world.”

Jon Jones essentially held up a mirror to Tom Aspinall. Having built a legacy, ‘Bones’ has reached the level of fighters like McGregor, who guarantee massive paydays. For the Brit, a victory over the reigning heavyweight champion would immortalize his name in the sport. Yet, ‘Bones’ isn’t eager to risk his title against Aspinall just yet. This hesitation reminded former UFC fighter Matt Brown of Michael Chandler’s situation—waiting too long for his shot at McGregor’s “Red P-nty Night,” which never materialized. On ‘The Fighter vs The Writer’ podcast, Brown said:

“I look at that just like the [Michael] Chandler situation with Conor [McGregor]. Just go fight,” Brown said of Aspinall. “Keep your name out there. Keep showing that you are the man to fight him. Keep building your legacy. Keep your name out in the news. Keep showing the world that you’re the guy that should be fighting him. If it’s true, then your case is going to get stronger and stronger. If you’re sitting on the sidelines, it doesn’t really help your case as much.”

What’s your take on Tom Aspinall’s recent fight announcement teaser? Do you think it signals the long-awaited super heavyweight showdown with Jon Jones, or will it be another interim title defense? Share your thoughts below.