Is Jon Jones’ GOAT Status Crumbling for Ducking Tom Aspinall?

Thirty-seven-year-old American Jon Jones is the current UFC heavyweight champion. The native of Rochester, N.Y., was a former light heavyweight ‘beast’ before ascending to the heavyweights. While he has become, without question, one of the greatest mixed martial artists in the history of the sport, controversy has chased (and caught) him many times in his career. 

There have been the pros (as in youngest champion in UFC history, plus whipping five former champs in succession) and the cons (try disciplinary actions as a result of hit-and-run arrest and banned-substance positive). 

Jones went on a self-imposed UFC sabbatical (2020-23), voluntarily vacating his title. He then returned to reclaim the heavyweight title, joining just seven others who’ve managed that feat.

The latest issue entangling Jones involves his perceived reticence to fight UFC interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall. This is sort of confusing, so let’s see if it can be explained (even to us). Englishman Aspinall became the ‘interim’ keeper of the belt by defeating Sergei Pavlovich after Jones was injured ahead of UFC 295.

Though Jones remains a popular wagering proposition in UFC fights odds, fans are anxiously awaiting his next move. 

It’s not only fans, but those who sign the checks. UFC boss Dana White is impatient with Jones’s refusal to commit to what would be a heavyweight unification bout with Aspinall. A ‘you-know-what-or-get-off-the-pot’ deadline of ‘a matter of weeks’ has been imposed. 

As of this mid-June writing, there’s nothing settled, other than the GOAT status of Jones should he avoid Aspinall.  

Here’s a bit of a primer on Jon Jones, one of the more polarizing figures on the UFC schedule…    

Has Jon Jones Ever Lost a Fight?

Once, to go along with 28 wins (one ‘no contest’) on his resume. The defeat occurred in 2009, an ‘illegal elbows’ disqualification against Matt Hamill. All of Jones’ UFC fights have been anxiously awaited by those with or without a monetary interest in the outcome.

What Is Jon Jones’ Record?

Jon Jones is 28-1, along with that aforementioned ‘no contest.’ His last bout was a third-round dismissal of Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden this past November.    

As his career has progressed, he has become a popular figure in the mixed martial arts community while also someone with a legion of supporters when it comes to UFC fight odds. 

Does BetUS Offer Constant Updates on UFC Fights Betting Lines?

While UFC news is the place to see who’s fighting whom, BetUS is the go-to site to find the latest UFC fights betting odds ahead of every numbered event, as well as any Fight Night program. 

Looking at the board as of this mid-June writing, there’s UFC 317 later this month in Las Vegas, 

where Ilia Topuria is a solid (-435) choice over Charles Oliveira (+330) to win the vacant lightweight title. There are also some ‘future’ odds leading to UFC 318 (July in New Orleans) and UFC 319 (August in Chicago). 

Remember any and all odds are fluid, thus subject to change.

Any Final Thoughts?

Jones’ two brothers (Arthur and Chandler) both played in the National Football League. That’s an aside to this missive. Those who pay attention to all the news and UFC rumors know the saga of Jon Jones. With a resume that, despite the controversies, screams ‘GOAT,’ but a prolonged` hesitance to take part in the one UFC heavyweight bout people want to see (enter Tom Aspinall), Jones is putting a self-inflicted chink in his armor. 

Those who wager on UFC would be wise to bookmark BetUS to find the latest odds.