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Jon Jones has reignited his UFC feud with reigning champion Tom Aspinall one year after stepping away from MMA.
Aspinall is expected to defend his heavyweight title against Ciryl Gane in a rematch before the end of 2026, following their dramatic no-contest at UFC 321 last October. Gane has since boosted his claim with a career-defining victory over former two-weight champion Alex Pereira, securing the interim heavyweight title at UFC White House.
Gane pushed Aspinall through a level of adversity he had rarely experienced during their UFC 321 showdown, with the Frenchman damaging the champion’s nose before the contest was controversially brought to an early halt.
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Jones, who defeated Gane in 2023 after a lengthy three-year absence from competition, believes 'Bon Gamin' can create similar problems for Aspinall when the heavyweight rivals meet again.
"I think Gane's going to win," Jones told the Ring Magazine. "When you become the champion and beat a man like Alex Pereira, it has to do something for your confidence.
"And even with Gane's first fight with Tom Aspinall, Tom was looking pretty invincible until Ciryl Gane. Most people feel like Gane was winning that fight, and so I feel like Gane's confidence has to be at an all-time high."
The British fighter became the longest-reigning interim champion in UFC history before being elevated to undisputed champion after Jones announced his retirement.
Aspinall had been locked in a lengthy back-and-forth with UFC CEO Dana White over a potential blockbuster clash with 'Bones,' but the highly anticipated bout never came to fruition.
Jones revealed that Gane told him he would return stronger when the pair met backstage after Jones submitted him to claim the heavyweight title in 2023.
That message, combined with Gane’s impressive victory over Pereira, has given Jones confidence that the Frenchman has what it takes to overcome Aspinall when they meet again in their rematch.
There is little doubt Jones, who has previously insisted fans should “never say never” regarding a UFC comeback, could be tempted to return regardless of the outcome of Aspinall’s expected rematch with Gane.
The former champion had been pushing for a place on the UFC’s White House card in June, even demanding his release from the promotion during an explosive rant aimed at White after being overlooked.
However, Jones has since suggested there is no room for grudges in combat sports, with his improved relationship with White potentially leaving the door open for a sensational return. "As long as I'm in the drug testing pool, the UFC are contractually obligated to offer me a few fights a year," Jones said. "I haven't heard anything from them in a while, but I just take it as it comes.
"I take it one day at a time. Right now, my main focus is just being a good dad, being a good family man, staying on top of these endorsements, and staying on top of making sure Gable [Steveson] is improving. That's just where life's at right now. When I get offered a fight, that's gonna be great and we'll see how I feel when that time comes."
