Tom Aspinall has publicly supported Jon Jones as the former UFC champion faces controversy over his recent retirement and negotiations with the UFC. Despite past rivalry and tensions between the two, Aspinall emphasizes that Jones deserves greater respect and financial recognition from the UFC for his significant contributions to the sport.
Jon Jones, considered one of the most talented fighters in UFC history, has been embroiled in a dispute with the promotion following his unexpected retirement and the vacating of the heavyweight title in June 2025. This decision elevated Aspinall, the interim heavyweight champion at the time, to undisputed champion status. The rivalry between Aspinall and Jones first gained attention when the British fighter called out Jones after his victory over Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304, with both fighters engaging in a heated online exchange that fueled hopes for a potential matchup. However, that confrontation never took place due to Jones stepping away from active competition.
Background on the Jones-Aspinall Rivalry and Retirement Dispute
Many fans anticipated that Jones would be featured at UFC 326, a historic event dubbed the UFC White House card. However, UFC President Dana White confirmed that Jones was not considered for the fight card and reiterated the fighter’s retirement status. Jones later disclosed that the UFC had made him a financial offer he and his team found insufficient, which contributed to his decision to retire. Aspinall responded to this claim by openly criticizing the UFC’s treatment of Jones, especially regarding his compensation.
This is probably going to be crazy to a lot of people listening, but why is the UFC not giving Jon the respect he deserves financially? That’s crazy to me. If anyone should be getting paid a lot in this sport, it should be Jon Jones for the stuff he’s done. And that’s me saying that after the history I’ve had with Jon Jones. If anybody should be getting money in this sport, it’s Jon Jones. They offered him $30 million to fight me, so why haven’t they offered it to him again?
Tom Aspinall via The Ariel Helwani Show
The $30 million figure mentioned by Aspinall references a previously proposed fight between Jones and Aspinall during early 2025, when Jones accepted a lucrative deal to face Aspinall, who held the interim title at the time. Despite this agreement, Jones withdrew and announced a temporary retirement shortly after, which reportedly frustrated UFC management, especially Dana White. This development damaged the relationship between Jones and the UFC, marking a stark contrast to his earlier status as a key figure and poster star in the organization.
Dana White Speaks on Jones’ Retirement and Contract Dispute
Dana White was once a staunch supporter of Jon Jones, often defending him despite the fighter’s inactivity and frequent controversies outside the cage. However, their relationship appears to have soured in the wake of Jones’ retirement announcement and subsequent criticisms aimed at the UFC. White responded to Jones’ public frustrations while addressing media questions at the Zuffa Boxing 04 event, clarifying the promotion’s position on negotiations and Jones’ status.
I never said there were no negotiations. I said were they talking to Jon Jones? They talked to everybody. Not one word of what I said was not true about the whole Jon Jones thing and how many time have I sat up here and said ‘He is not fighting at the White House’. Have all of you guys not seen the video of the dude with the meta glasses when he didn’t know he was being filmed? Jon Jones is the greatest of all time but there is no way that he is going to be booked for the White House.
Dana White via MMA Junkie
White also referenced a leaked video in which Jones was recorded discussing his arthritis, which White cited as the reason behind Jones’ retirement. Jones firmly rejected this narrative, emphasizing that while the condition causes pain, it did not prevent him from preparing for a potential fight and that he had undergone stem cell treatments. Jones’ conflicting statements raised questions about his future in the UFC and the validity of the promotion’s claims.
Potential Career Paths for Jon Jones After UFC Fallout
Jon Jones’ public demand for contract release and his insistence that he can still compete have fueled speculation about his next steps in combat sports. Jones co-owns an emerging promotion called Dirty Boxing and has shown interest in Real American Freestyle, another rising organization. These platforms might become viable options for Jones if he decides to continue fighting outside the UFC. However, whether Jones will return to competitive fighting, either within or outside the UFC, remains uncertain as the dispute unfolds.
Despite the tensions, Tom Aspinall’s vocal defense of Jones highlights the underlying respect he holds for the former champion’s legacy. Aspinall’s remarks underline the belief that Jones has earned a place among the most important contributors to the UFC’s global prominence and that he deserves fair treatment, regardless of their past rivalry.
Tom Aspinall defended Jon Jones after he claims the UFC “lowballed” him:
“Why is the UFC not giving Jon the respect he deserves financially? That’s crazy to me.”
(via @arielhelwani) https://t.co/eC0bx8oSrx pic.twitter.com/HF038czRqQ
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) March 9, 2026
Dana White fires back at Jon Jones' social media outburst about not getting on the UFC White House
“Not one word of what I said was not true about the whole Jon Jones thing
Have all of you guys not seen the video of the dude with the meta glasses when he didn’t know he was… pic.twitter.com/bO4hGBcKyQ
— Dovy🔌 (@DovySimuMMA) March 9, 2026
