Jones: UFC 'can't strip a guy like me'
Jon Jones apparently doesn't expect the UFC to strip him of the heavyweight championship.
Jones made a flurry of posts early Friday morning on X, addressing his fighting future and continuing to taunt interim champion Tom Aspinall. Of particular note, Jones - one of the greatest fighters of all time and biggest stars in the sport - said he believes the promotion "can't" remove him from the throne.
"Remember, you can't strip a guy like me at this point, I give the belt up freely," Jones wrote. "Veni, vidi, vici."
The 37-year-old's future has been up in the air since he knocked out Stipe Miocic in his first heavyweight title defense last November at UFC 309. Jones has been noncommittal about a unification bout against Aspinall, despite UFC CEO Dana White expressing confidence that the matchup will happen this year.
In May, Jones hinted that he planned to take a prolonged break from competing, but he left the door open for a return on his own timeline. Earlier this week, Aspinall, who's held the interim title since 2023, said Jones was "retired" and referred to himself as the undisputed champion.
Jones said Friday it isn't his fault that the heavyweight division is at a standstill.
"I spoke to the UFC a long time ago about what my future plans were," Jones wrote. "I haven't really worked out since my last fight in New York City. Honestly, I believe it's been in the UFC's best interest to keep presenting me as the company's champion - not Tom.
"I've just been playing the role of the company man by doing nothing at all. And holding the position. And truthfully, it's been incredibly lucrative. I've made more money off of Tom being the interim champ than Tom has himself. It sucks to see the rest of the division get slowed down like this, but that has nothing to do with me. I don't pull the strings."
Later Friday afternoon, Jones teased interest in a long-awaited fight against former UFC heavyweight champion and current PFL star Francis Ngannou.
"I'm hearing Francis Ngannou is still interested. Now we're talking," Jones wrote. "That's a real superfight. A clash of champions, not just hype. He held the UFC belt, I've defended mine for over a decade. Two kings from different roads. 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. At least from my point of view."