UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones has defiantly brushed aside mounting pressure to face interim titleholder Tom Aspinall, instead revealing his preferred "super fight" against a returning MMA superstar that would represent a true clash of combat sports legacies.
The petition cacklash
The MMA world has been buzzing with controversy since over 185,000 fans signed a petition demanding Jones vacate his heavyweight title. The movement comes after "Bones" opted against defending his belt against interim champion Aspinall following his UFC 309 victory over Stipe Miocic last November.
Jon Jones, never one to shy from controversy, took to social media to mock the growing fan campaign. "185,000 signatures and counting?" the champion quipped. "I'm flattered by the attention, but championships aren't won by online polls."
The Francis Ngannou dream match
Rather than addressing the Tom Aspinall situation, Jones pivoted to discussing what he considers a more meaningful legacy fight - a showdown with former UFC heavyweight king Francis Ngannou.
"I'm hearing Francis Ngannou is still interested," Jones revealed. "Now we're talking. That's a real super fight. A clash of champions, not just hype."
The potential matchup represents what Jones describes as "two kings from different roads" - Ngannou, who left UFC as reigning champion to pursue boxing opportunities, and Jon Jones, the longtime dominant force who has successfully defended his title for over a decade.
Legacy over hype
Jones made clear his disdain for what he views as manufactured contender hype, drawing a sharp distinction between Francis Ngannou's established credentials and Tom Aspinall's current popularity.
"He held the UFC belt, I've defended mine for over a decade," Jones emphasized. "Not just one legend facing a mouth that's hot right now, but two real legacies colliding. That's the kind of fight that actually adds something special to my story."
The champion's comments suggest he values historical significance over current divisional politics, potentially setting up one of MMA's most anticipated matchups should Ngannou return to the octagon.
What's next for Jon Jones?
While UFC President Dana White hasn't commented on Jon Jones' Ngannou remarks, the promotion faces growing pressure to resolve its heavyweight logjam. Tom Aspinall continues training for his eventual shot at undisputed gold, while Francis Ngannou's contractual status remains unclear following his boxing ventures.
For Jones, the path forward seems clear - he wants legacy-defining fights, not necessarily mandatory defenses. "At least from my point of view," Jones concluded, leaving the MMA world to speculate whether this dream matchup could become reality.