JON JONES has brutally mocked Tom Aspinall for opening up on mental struggles during his octagon hiatus.
Wigan warrior Aspinall has been waiting on the sidelines for a heavyweight title unification fight with the former pound-for-pound king since last July.
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Negotiations over the bout, which ramped up after Jones’ title defence against Stipe Miocic, have yet to bear fruit – despite the UFC brass meeting Jones’ demands to be paid “F**K YOU MONEY“.
The idling has started to get to eat away at interim champion Aspinall, who told ex-flyweight king Demetrious Johnson: “I’ve been almost a year inactive with no prospects of anything apart from… wait.
“So now is actually a little bit more of a tricky time for me mentally than it was [after injury in 2022].
“[Before] I constantly had little goals that I could work towards, whereas now, it’s like, ‘Just be ready and we’ll just let you know.’
READ MORE ON JONES VS ASPINAL
“And it’s kind of difficult mentally. . . . This is the fight against Jon Jones, the fight is another thing.
“This is the tricky bit where I have to stay switched on, stay motivated. It’s tough, sometimes.”
It didn’t take long for Aspinall’s frank admission to come to the attention of Jones, who had no sympathy for the Brit bruiser.
Commenting under the clip, Jones said: “Shut your mouth and do as you’re told.”
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The jibe was reminiscent of Conor McGregor, who has often told his rivals, “You’ll do what you’re told”, throughout his career.
MMA fans are doubtful a fight between Jones and Aspinall will come to fruition due to the former’s conflicting statements on his fighting future.
The former long-reigning light-heavyweight king recently claimed he was “DONE” with the fight game but somewhat retracted the claim the following day.
In an impromptu X posting spree, he wrote on X: “I don’t know if I wanna call it retired.
“I feel like I’ll always have an ability to pop out and show ’em.
“I’ve had many breaks throughout my career, my identity outside of fighting is well intact.
“I’m genuinely enjoying life, I’m growing in different ways.”
Jones has repeatedly been accused of “ducking” by MMA fans since his Madison Square mauling of Stipe Miocic.
Shut your mouth and do as you’re told.”
Jon Jones’ Instagram jibe to Tom Aspinall
But the Hall of Famer has rubbished those claims, insisting he’s already told the UFC brass of his plans.
The 37-year-old: “Y’all barkin’ up the wrong tree.
“I told the UFC my plans a long time ago.
“I have no clue why they haven’t shared them with you guys yet.”
Jones’ adamance that the UFC know his plans came just DAYS after UFC CEO and President Dana White GUARANTEED he’d return to the octagon this year.
He told Adam Glyn: “Jon Jones will be fighting in 2025. 100 per cent.”
