The UFC heavyweight division is in turmoil as fighters and fans alike are calling for Jon Jones to be stripped of his title. Jones, who last defended his belt in November 2024 against Stipe Miocic, has been elusive about his future in the octagon, leaving the division in a state of limbo.

The Call for Action

American Curtis Blaydes, set to fight in Baku, Azerbaijan, has been vocal about his stance. "If he doesn't fight, I would like him to be stripped. We all get it. He's the GOAT, he's great, but if you're not going to be active, what are you doing holding the belt?" Blaydes stated. His opponent, Risvan Kuniev, echoed these sentiments, labeling Tom Aspinall as the "true champion."

The Ideal Scenario: Jones vs. Aspinall

UFC president Dana White has described a potential Jones vs. Aspinall matchup as the "biggest heavyweight fight in UFC history." Jones, a former light-heavyweight champion, is considered one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time. Aspinall, on the other hand, has an impressive record, finishing all eight of his UFC fights and holding the record for the shortest average fight time in UFC history.

Despite the UFC's efforts to schedule the fight, Jones has been non-committal, hinting at retirement and stating that fighting Aspinall does "nothing for his legacy." This has left fans and the UFC in a frustrating standstill.

Aspinall's Path to Undisputed Champion

Should Jones be stripped of his title or retire, Aspinall would become the first Briton to unify the UFC heavyweight division. Aspinall has held the interim belt for 586 days, the longest in UFC history, surpassing the previous record held by Renan Barao.

Aspinall has repeatedly expressed his desire to fight Jones, emphasizing that his goal is to become the undisputed champion. "I have no problem with Jones; I just want to prove I'm the best," Aspinall said.

Potential Contenders

If Aspinall is promoted to undisputed champion, several fighters could challenge him for the title. France's Ciryl Gane, a former interim champion, is the most likely candidate. Other potential contenders include Russia's Alexander Volkov and Brazil's Jailton Almeida, both of whom have shown impressive form in recent fights.

Conclusion

The UFC heavyweight division is at a crossroads. Will Jon Jones step up to defend his title, or will he retire, leaving the door open for Tom Aspinall to claim the undisputed crown? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the stakes have never been higher.