Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones “Living Good” As He Addresses Ducking Allegations

UFC Champion Jon Jones remains carefree about ducking allegations as he coasts on a motorbike through Thailand!

Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones “Living Good” As He Addresses Ducking Allegations

Jon Jones has always walked his own path in the UFC. The controversial champion rarely follows anyone’s timeline but his own. ‘Bones’ operates on Jones time, not UFC time. He has collected championship belts and broken records along the way. His talent inside the octagon remains undeniable despite the frustration he causes fans and fellow fighters.

The UFC‘s heavyweight landscape currently sits in an awkward limbo. Jon Jones technically holds the title, though it is ‘disputed’ as Tom Aspinall carries the interim belt. Yet the two men seem no closer to fighting than they were six months ago. Dana White keeps dodging questions about the match-up at press conferences. Fans grow more impatient by the day. The situation feels like a stalemate with no resolution in sight.

Also Read: ‘I Will Smoke Jack Della Maddalena’ – Ian Garry Calls Shot At UFC Welterweight Gold, Lays Out Interesting Match-Ups

Jon Jones Enjoying Thailand While Fight Fans Fume

During a recent Instagram live session, the heavyweight champ spoke casually while riding on the back of a motorbike through the streets of Thailand.

“I’ve got people in the chat calling me a duck. Meanwhile, I’m living my absolute best life. I don’t know if it’s considered ducking when you’re living good. I don’t think it works like that.”

🚨 Jon Jones responds on IG live to everyone who says he is ducking Tom Aspinall:

“I’ve got people in the chat calling me a duck. Meanwhile, I’m living my absolute best life”

“I don’t know if it’s considered ducking when you’re living good. I don’t think it works like that.” pic.twitter.com/AFpcyqL48d
— ACD MMA (@acdmma_) May 13, 2025

Jones isn’t exactly sitting at home doing nothing. He’s currently filming the Russian version of The Ultimate Fighter alongside Nate Diaz. Jones seems completely unbothered by the growing criticism of his reluctance to face Aspinall. His Instagram posts show a man enjoying tropical beaches, exotic foods, and new experiences far from the pressure of fight camp.

Why Hasn’t Jon Jones Agree To Fight Tom Aspinall?

Behind the scenes, money talks as usual in combat sports. Industry insiders report Jones wants a whopping $30 million to fight Aspinall. That would shatter all previous UFC fighter paydays by a wide margin. Others suggest Jones has a different strategy. Some believe he is deliberately stalling, forcing Aspinall to defend the interim title. This gives ‘Bones’ more fight footage to study before potentially meeting the dangerous Brit.

The situation leaves Aspinall in championship purgatory. He is now the longest-reigning interim champion in UFC history, a record nobody wants to hold. The British knockout artist should be one of the UFC’s biggest stars with his exciting fighting style and perfect heavyweight record. Instead, he is stuck while Jones rides motorbikes in Thailand.

With UFC 317, UFC 318 and UFC 319 booked, it seems that fans are in for a long wait to see these two throw down, if they fight. The event would be massive. Fans are ready to pay. Aspinall is ready to fight. The question remains: Is Jones ducking or just being smart? The fight game often rewards those who pick their spots carefully. Jones has built a career on being calculating both inside and outside the cage. Whether fans love him or hate him, Jon Jones continues living life on his own terms, duck allegations be damned!

(Image Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie – Imagn Images)

Jon Jones

Tom Aspinall

Zaid Quraishi

mma

I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!