🔥BOMBSHELL: Tom Aspinall just surprised the entire UFC when he requested to strip Jon Jones of his title in a live interview. Dana White immediately confirmed it 👇👇
The UFC heavyweight division has been thrown into chaos following a bombshell moment during a recent live interview with interim champion Tom Aspinall. The British fighter, visibly frustrated by the ongoing delay in securing a title unification bout with undisputed champion Jon Jones, made a bold and unprecedented demand: strip Jones of his heavyweight title. Aspinall’s remarks sent shockwaves through the MMA community, prompting an immediate response from UFC CEO Dana White, who addressed the situation with his characteristic candor. As fans and analysts scramble to make sense of the escalating drama, the future of the heavyweight division hangs in the balance.
Aspinall, who has held the interim heavyweight title since his knockout victory over Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 295 in November 2023, has been patiently waiting for his shot at Jones. His frustration has been mounting, particularly after defending his interim belt against Curtis Blaydes in a stunning 60-second knockout at UFC 304 in July 2024. Despite his dominance, Aspinall has been unable to secure the unification bout, with Jones seemingly preoccupied with other ventures, including a recent trip to Thailand for a training seminar and a coaching stint in a Russian reality show. Aspinall’s patience finally ran out during a live interview on May 17, 2025, when he issued his ultimatum. “I’m the most dangerous guy in the UFC, statistically,” Aspinall declared. “Jon Jones needs to fight me or be stripped of the title. I’m done waiting.”
The call to strip Jones, widely regarded as one of the greatest fighters in MMA history, was a seismic moment. Jones, who captured the heavyweight title with a dominant win over Ciryl Gane in 2023 and defended it against Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 in November 2024, has been a polarizing figure. His reluctance to face Aspinall, coupled with his cryptic social media posts—such as the now-infamous “Everything but fighting” jibe—has fueled accusations that he is avoiding the interim champion. Fans and fighters alike, including former UFC heavyweight Curtis Blaydes, have echoed Aspinall’s sentiments, with some arguing that Jones’ inaction is holding the division hostage.
Dana White, never one to shy away from controversy, responded swiftly to Aspinall’s demand during a press conference following UFC 316 on May 17, 2025. “Tom’s frustrated, and I get it,” White said. “He’s been ready to fight, and he’s proven he’s a force in this division. We’re working on Jones vs. Aspinall, and I’m confident it’ll happen. But if Jon doesn’t sign by the deadline we’ve set, we’ll have to make some tough decisions.” While White stopped short of confirming that Jones would be stripped, his mention of a “deadline” corroborated reports from sources like SPORTbible, which suggested that the UFC has set November 2025 as the cutoff for Jones to agree to the fight or risk losing his belt.
The prospect of stripping Jones has divided the MMA community. On one hand, Jones’ legacy as a two-division champion and his recent victories over elite competition make the idea of stripping him contentious. Supporters argue that his star power and marketability justify the UFC’s patience. On the other hand, Aspinall’s case is compelling. At 32, he represents the new era of heavyweights, with a record-setting average fight time and a string of highlight-reel finishes. His interim title reign, now the longest in UFC history at over 540 days, has only amplified calls for action. MMA journalist Adam Catterall, speaking on the Fight Disciples podcast, emphasized the urgency: “The undisputed heavyweight title must be contested at Madison Square Garden in November. If Jones won’t fight, the UFC has no choice but to strip him.”
Aspinall’s demand has also reignited discussions about the UFC’s handling of its champions. Past instances, such as Daniel Cormier’s reluctance to see Jones stripped during a recent podcast, highlight the complexity of balancing legacy with fairness. Meanwhile, Jones’ recent activities—training seminars, reality TV, and a cryptic Instagram Live where he dismissed retirement rumors—have only added fuel to the fire. His comments downplaying Aspinall’s resume, claiming he’s unfamiliar with “90% of his opponents,” have further antagonized fans who see Aspinall as the rightful challenger.
As the November deadline looms, the UFC faces a pivotal moment. Will Jones, motivated by the threat of losing his title, finally agree to face Aspinall? Or will the promotion take the drastic step of stripping its biggest star to crown a new undisputed champion? For Aspinall, the path forward is clear: fight or move on. “I’m ready to unify the belts or fight someone else,” he said in the interview. “The division needs to move forward.” With Dana White’s confirmation of a deadline and the MMA world watching, the heavyweight division is on the cusp of a historic resolution—one that could redefine the sport’s landscape.
