UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones has reignited old rivalries with Daniel Cormier and Chael Sonnen after comments made on their podcast, 'Good Guy/Bad Guy.' The show, which recently featured interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall, discussed the potential Jones vs. Aspinall unification bout, with Aspinall stating Jones is retired and the division needs to move on.
Jones, never one to back down from a verbal sparring match, took to social media to fire back at Cormier and Sonnen. He referenced his past victories over both men, suggesting they were teaming up to gossip about him while he's earning their annual salaries in a week. His tweet stated: "Jon Jones whooped both of y’all, but hey—why not team up on a podcast and gossip about his life? Meanwhile, he’s out here making your annual salary in a week. Stay busy, boys."
Aspinall's Comments Trigger Jones
Aspinall's assertion that Jones is retired and "living his best life" appears to have particularly irked the champion. Aspinall emphasized the stagnation in the heavyweight division due to Jones' inactivity and declared himself the undisputed champion, ready to face all contenders.
"Jon's retired," Aspinall stated on the podcast. "What are you talking about? You guys don't follow Jon on social media? The guy is living his best life... I'm the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. I'm ready to take on all comers, get this division moving again."
Jones vs. Cormier: A Bitter History
The animosity between Jones and Cormier is well-documented, with their rivalry being one of the most intense in UFC history. Jones defeated Cormier twice, once by unanimous decision and once by KO, although the KO victory was later overturned due to Jones testing positive for banned substances. Sonnen also has a history with Jones, having fought and lost to him for the Light Heavyweight title.
What's Next for the Heavyweight Division?
With Jones seemingly unwilling to commit to a return date, the future of the heavyweight division remains uncertain. A potential fight between Jones and Aspinall would be a massive event, but Jones' recent social media activity suggests he's more interested in trading barbs online than stepping back into the octagon. The UFC and fight fans alike will be watching closely to see if these verbal volleys eventually translate into a real fight.