New reports confirm that former UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones has publicly criticized Tom Aspinall, labeling him a “one-trick pony” following Aspinall’s recent title fight. The bout, which took place at UFC 321 on October 25, 2023, ended in a no-contest after an accidental eye poke from Ciryl Gane rendered Aspinall unable to continue just 4 minutes and 35 seconds into the first round.
Jones made these comments during an appearance on the NoScripts Podcast, where he expressed greater admiration for Gane, who he previously submitted to win the heavyweight title in March 2023. “Tom’s a great athlete, but I do feel like he’s a one-trick pony,” Jones stated, asserting that Aspinall’s wrestling and jiu-jitsu are “incredibly overrated.”
The implications of Jones’ remarks are significant, as they may shape public perception of Aspinall’s skills heading into potential future matchups. Jones elaborated, saying, “He couldn’t touch Ciryl Gane at all. I felt Gane was just getting warmed up.” This criticism comes at a time when Aspinall is dealing with the ongoing effects of the eye poke, with his father and head coach reporting that Aspinall has not yet regained full vision in either eye.
The UFC is reportedly planning to rebook the championship fight between Aspinall and Gane, according to UFC CEO Dana White. This is critical for Aspinall’s career as he aims to recover and defend his title. However, the road to recovery is uncertain, with Aspinall’s vision still compromised, particularly in his right eye.
As for Jones, who holds a professional record of 28-1, he had been linked to a title unification fight with Aspinall during the first half of 2025. Instead, he announced his retirement from mixed martial arts in June. Recently, he expressed interest in a comeback to fight current light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira at a planned UFC event at the White House next year, but has not shown interest in facing Aspinall at this time.
As the UFC landscape continues to evolve, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely for updates on Aspinall’s recovery and the rebooking of his championship matchup with Gane. The stakes are high, and every development could have lasting ramifications in the heavyweight division.
Stay tuned for the latest updates as this situation unfolds, and join the conversation about the future of these fighters.
