Is the king about to lose his crown without even stepping into the cage?

UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones is once again at the center of the MMA world — not because of a fight announcement, but because of growing rumors that UFC President Dana White may strip him of his title due to inactivity and the rise of a hungry division led by interim champ Tom Aspinall.

Dana White makes Jon Jones guarantee amid calls to strip the UFC heavyweight champion

 Tick Tock – The Division Won’t Wait

Jones hasn’t fought since capturing the heavyweight belt in March 2023, and with his recovery from injury still ongoing, fans and fighters alike are growing restless. In contrast, Tom Aspinall captured interim gold in late 2023 and has been ready to unify the title ever since.

“If Jon can’t fight, he should be stripped. Simple,” Aspinall said in a recent interview. “The division needs to move forward.”

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 Dana White Not Ruling It Out

Dana White hasn’t officially made the call, but he’s been vocal about his frustration with the stalled heavyweight division. When asked recently whether Jones could be stripped if he doesn’t return soon, White responded:

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“We’ll see what happens. We’re not going to hold the division forever.”

That alone sent shockwaves through the MMA community. Stripping Jon Jones — arguably the GOAT — would be a historic and controversial move.

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 Mind Games or Exit Strategy?

Some believe Jones is playing it smart — choosing legacy over risk. Others argue that he’s avoiding dangerous young contenders like Aspinall, Sergei Pavlovich, or Jailton Almeida, all of whom are eager to test themselves against the champ.

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Regardless of motive, the UFC is quickly approaching a crossroads: Do they let Jones fight Stipe Miocic on his timeline, or do they crown a new undisputed champion now?

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 What Happens Next?

If Jones is stripped, Aspinall would likely face the top-ranked contender for the undisputed title.

If Jones returns and fights Miocic but retires after, it leaves the division in limbo again.

If Dana White steps in with a bold decision, the UFC could finally shake up a division that’s been stuck on pause.

 

 

Do you think Jon Jones should be stripped of his title? Is he dodging top contenders, or just being smart about preserving his legacy?

Join the conversation in the comments!