Tom Aspinall hints at imminent fight announcement as Jon Jones rumors go cold

The story of Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall's fabled fight continues to unveil new chapters, but this time, the news may not be what most fans want to hear.

Despite capturing the UFC interim heavyweight strap and even securing a defense of the title, the Brit is still unsure when he will get to contend for undisputed gold. It seems everybody is waiting on Jones' decision, but it appears Aspinall already knows what's next for himself.

While many are still holding out hope that the UFC books what would arguably be the biggest fight in the sport's heavyweight history, it doesn't look likely.

Speaking with Paddy Pimblett during a recent YouTube video, Tom Aspinall hinted at Jon Jones' potential retirement.

"He's living his best life, mate, in Thailand," Aspinall said about Jones. "Everybody reaches their sell-by date, don't they?"

"Everybody's got a time limit. He's reached it, and we move on."

"It obviously was a bit annoying [waiting for news on the Jones fight] at the time, but it's all in the past now."

"We're moving forward, everything's good. We can get fighting again, and I just want to get fighting, mate."

Though news surrounding Jon Jones' UFC return remains quiet, Tom Aspinall seemingly revealed that his next outing will not be against 'Bones'.

"It's better now because I do know what's going on a little bit. I am going to fight soon, so that's nice. But for like the last kind of 6 months, I've just not known what's going on."

"Do you know what the worst bit is?... It's like money, fame, titles, rankings, all that aside, I just love fighting. I just like fighting people..."

"I want to be the best fighter I can be. I love it, I'm in the gym every day, [and] I just want to fight. That's been taken away from me for nearly a year now..."

"It's a bit frustrating, to be honest. But, we are nearly over it now, which is good."