JON JONES has taken to social media following reports that his eagerly anticipated showdown with Tom Aspinall has been all “agreed”.
An iconic heavyweight title unification bout between the interim and undisputed champions has been in the works since last November.
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Jones’ public calls to be paid “f**k you money” for the fight seemingly put it in major doubt but the UFC brass are understood to have met his demands.
Former three-time UFC title challenger Chael Sonnen claimed this week that the fight was a done deal, insisting the date has been finalised.
And Hall of Famer Jones took to social media not long after Sonnen’s revelation, although he didn’t talk about fighting.
The 37-year-old posted a video of himself graciously thanking Donald Trump for gifting him a Presidential challenge coin.
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He said: “Oh, I love this, guys. Albuquerque, New Mexico. Some of the most beautiful skies and beautiful views.
“Speaking about beauty, I wanted to give a shoutout to our 45th and 47th President of the United States, Mr. Donald Trump, for giving me this beautiful challenge coin.
“I’ve had the privilege to meet some pretty amazing American people and I’ve got these coins for some of our country’s best.
“But this one has the top of them all from the President Himself to my mailbox. [A] great honour.
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“Thank you for this beautiful gift, it will be mounted in the house.”
Hours after Jones’ video, Sonnen walked back his claim that Jones vs Aspinall has been finalised – claiming the latter will now face Ciryl Gane in a second interim title defence.
Aspinall, 32, teased an imminent fight announcement last weekend, saying in a video on his YouTube channel: “I know everyone wants fight news.
“But I do know what’s happening now.
“I have been sworn to secrecy for a little bit, so stay tuned.
“But there will be news coming, hopefully very soon.”
MMA fans are starting to doubt the fight will happen, despite the guarantee from UFC supremo Dana White that it will come to fruition.
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He said late last year: ” I’ll say 100 per cent [that it happens in 2025].
“100 per cent. I think it’s probably the biggest fight in heavyweight history.
“And it’s a massive in the history of the company, too. It’s a big fight.”
Former pound-for-pound king Jones hasn’t fought since his brutal spinning-back kick stoppage of Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 in New York last November.
Wigan warrior Aspinall, meanwhile, has been on the sidelines since his 60-second destruction of Curtis Blaydes in their rematch at UFC 304 last July.
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