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Jon Jones Takes a Victory Lap After Tom Aspinall’s UFC 321 Disaster

Originally posted on Total Apex Sports | Last updated Oct 27, 2025 9:33 AM ET

Look, we all knew Jon Jones was going to have something to say about UFC 321. The man’s been sitting back, watching the MMA world lose its collective mind over Tom Aspinall, and now? Now he’s got ammunition.

After Aspinall’s main event against Ciryl Gane ended in a no-contest due to an eye poke—yes, that kind of ending—Jones couldn’t resist reminding everyone why he’s still considered the heavyweight GOAT. And honestly? Can you blame him?

Jones Fires Shots at Aspinall on Instagram

The former UFC heavyweight champion took to Instagram with what might be the pettiest (and most effective) post of 2025. Jones shared a side-by-side comparison of his fight against Gane versus Aspinall’s recent encounter with the Frenchman.

The contrast? Brutal.

When Jones faced Gane at UFC 285, he made it look easy. Two minutes and four seconds. That’s all it took for ‘Bones’ to secure a first-round submission victory and claim the heavyweight title. Clean. Dominant. Surgical.

Aspinall‘s performance? Not quite the same story. Before the eye poke brought everything to a screeching halt, the Brit was getting out-struck, his face was bloodied, and he looked—dare we say it—human. The fight that was supposed to cement Aspinall’s status as the division’s boogeyman instead raised more questions than it answered.

Jones’ Instagram post didn’t need a caption. The images said it all: “I told you so.”

Why Jones Has Been Dodging the Aspinall Fight

For months, the MMA community has been clamoring for a title unification bout between Jones and Aspinall. The narrative was simple: Aspinall is younger, bigger, and hits like a freight train. Surely, he’d be the one to finally dethrone Jones, right?

Wrong. At least according to ‘Bones.’

Jones has consistently maintained that fighting Aspinall doesn’t interest him. Not because he’s scared (though Twitter warriors would disagree), but because the risk-reward ratio doesn’t make sense. Why fight a relative unknown when he could face established legends and secure his legacy even further?

Now, after UFC 321, Jones’ hesitation looks less like avoidance and more like… strategy. Aspinall was supposed to run through Gane. Instead, he got poked in the eye and the fight was ruled a no-contest. Not exactly the resume-building win the heavyweight champ needed.

Enter Alex Pereira: The Fight Jones Actually Wants

Here’s where things get interesting.

While Jones was busy trolling Aspinall on social media, another callout emerged—this time from Alex Pereira. The Brazilian knockout artist and current light heavyweight champion posted a cryptic message suggesting he wants to move up to heavyweight and face Jones.

His pitch? “Let’s Make the Heavyweight Division Great Again!”

And Jones? He responded almost immediately:

“Alex, I’d be down to bring the highest skill level to the White House. I appreciate the respect you showed. Let’s dance.”

Wait, the White House?

Yes, you read that correctly. Jones is referring to the rumored UFC event set to take place at the White House next summer. Because apparently, watching two of the greatest fighters on the planet throw hands in the most politically charged venue imaginable is exactly what 2025 needs.

Why Jones vs. Pereira Makes More Sense Than Against Aspinall

Let’s be real for a second. From a business perspective, Jones vs. Pereira is a mega-fight. It’s got everything: two legends, cross-divisional intrigue, and the kind of star power that could headline the biggest event in UFC history.

Aspinall, despite being the interim champion, doesn’t have that same appeal—at least not yet. His fanbase is passionate, sure, but he’s still building his name. Meanwhile, Pereira has already proven himself as a two-division champion with highlight-reel knockouts that make even casual fans tune in.

And after UFC 321? Aspinall’s stock took a hit. Fair or not, that’s the reality. The MMA world expected dominance. Instead, they got an anticlimactic ending that left everyone frustrated.

Jones knows this. He’s capitalizing on it. And honestly, it’s kind of genius.

What’s Next for Aspinall?

So where does this leave Tom Aspinall?

According to UFC CEO Dana White, the promotion is looking to reschedule the fight with Gane. Medical reports suggest Aspinall didn’t suffer any serious damage from the eye poke, though he’s been advised to follow up with a specialist in a week.

But here’s the problem: even if Aspinall gets his rematch and wins convincingly, he’s already lost momentum. The mystique is gone. The aura of invincibility? Shattered.

And Jones? He’s moved on. He’s got his sights set on Pereira, a fight that would cement his legacy and potentially be the final chapter in one of the greatest careers in MMA history.

Not Done Yet

Say what you want about Jon Jones—and trust me, people have said a lot—but the man knows how to control the narrative. He sat out while the MMA community hyped up Aspinall as the next big threat. He watched Aspinall’s UFC 321 performance implode. And now, he’s swooping in with the perfect comeback.

Whether Jones actually fights Pereira at the White House or retires without ever facing Aspinall, one thing is clear: ‘Bones’ is still the king of heavyweight mind games.

And after this weekend? He’s got receipts.

This article first appeared on Total Apex Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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