The chase is over.

UFC interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall has officially thrown in the towel — not in the Octagon, but in his long-running pursuit of a unification bout with the elusive Jon “Bones” Jones. After months of calling him out, waiting, and being ignored, Aspinall has had enough.

“I’m tired,” Aspinall said bluntly during a recent interview.
“You can’t chase someone who just keeps running. I’m moving on.”

And just like that, the fight the world wanted may never happen.

 Jon Jones: Still in Hiding?

Since capturing the undisputed heavyweight title with a dominant win over Stipe Miocic in 2023, Jon Jones has been largely inactive. Injury setbacks, personal decisions, and social media silence have left fans wondering: Is he done?

Aspinall, who earned the interim belt in spectacular fashion, has been vocal about wanting to unify the title — but says Jones simply won’t engage.

“He posts quotes, selfies, and random tweets,” Aspinall said. “But not a single word about fighting me. What am I supposed to do? Beg?”

The British champ says he respects Jones’ legacy, but not the ducking.

 “I’m The Champion Now.”

With Jones MIA, Aspinall is no longer interested in waiting.

“If he ever wants to fight, I’m here. But until then, I’ve got a division to run. I’ve got killers like Sergei Pavlovich and Ciryl Gane ready to go. Why waste my prime chasing ghosts?”

Aspinall’s recent performances — fast, violent, and technically sound — have fans and analysts alike calling him the “real” heavyweight champ. And now, even without the unification, he’s ready to defend that claim.

 UFC’s Response: Silence… Again

The UFC has yet to comment on the situation, and Dana White has remained tight-lipped about Jones’ return. Rumors swirl about retirement, contract drama, and even a potential heavyweight exit.

But fans are getting frustrated.

“We want fights, not mystery movies,” one fan wrote on X.
“If Jon won’t fight, strip the belt and let Tom rule.”

 What’s Next for Aspinall?

Aspinall is reportedly eyeing a title defense later this summer, possibly against Ciryl Gane or Jailton Almeida. Talks are ongoing, but the British champ has made one thing clear: Jon Jones is no longer part of his immediate future.

“I’ve got real work to do,” he said.
“Jon can keep tweeting. I’ll keep fighting.”

Final Thoughts

Tom Aspinall backing away from the Jones chase is disappointing — but understandable. The sport doesn’t wait. And neither does Aspinall.

Jon Jones may still hold the official title, but right now, only one heavyweight is doing champion things.

And he’s not hiding.