JON JONES has sent UFC fans into a frenzy by revealing he has an agreement in place with Tom Aspinall.
The pair, 37 and 32 respectively, have been on course for a historic heavyweight title unification bout since last November.
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Their mammoth melee, however, has yet to come to fruition – despite the UFC‘s meeting of Jones’ demands to be paid “F**K YOU MONEY.”
MMA fans have been left on tenterhooks by Jones over the last few weeks as the former pound-for-pound king has toed and froed with the prospect of retirement.
The Hall of Famer claimed last month that UFC brass are aware of his plans and insisted he’s not holding Aspinall back in any way, shape or form.
And during a recent seminar in Phuket in Thailand, he claimed he and Aspinall have agreed not to divulge any details of their proposed fight or the future of the division before the UFC.
READ MORE ON JONES VS ASPINALL
In a video from the seminar, a fan asked Jones: “When are you fighting Tom?”
The former long-reigning light-heavyweight king replied: “I was waiting for it.
“The UFC, I, and Tom we all have a lot of stuff happening behind the scenes. They’re one of the biggest organisations in sports.
“Right now, Tom and I have agreed to wait for the UFC to make their announcements, so I legally can’t really talk about it.”
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Jones’ comments sent UFC fans into meltdon, with many divided over his statement.
One said: Holy s**t! I told all of you.”
Another said: “It’s happening.”
And another sad: “Wait for the UFC to make the announcement… of his retirement! Will not believe it till I see it, thanks.”
One remarked: “Cant wait for Jones to beat Aspinall’s ass and end this.”
“Another chimed in: “Going to announce he’s taking a break and vacating belt.”
Jones’ comments came just days after a recent interview in which he admitted he’s undecided about his fighting future aired.
During an appearance on Deepcut with VicBlends, he said: “I don’t know what life holds as far as fighting and competing.
“I do feel like I’ll be a lifelong martial artist whether I’m coaching others or taking exhibition matches and things like that.
Tom and I have agreed to wait for the UFC to make their announcements.”
Jon Jones
“There’s a lot of great competition still in the UFC. I do view myself as more than a fighter.
“Being in my position, I feel like I have a lot more options than a lot of the other fighters as far as the ability to leave and return.
“And so right now I’m just focusing on love, happiness, kindness.
“We’re at the quarter-century mark, and this year should be a really special year.”
Jones hasn’t set foot inside the octagon since his Madison Square Garden mauling of Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 last November.
Wigan warrior Aspinall, meanwhile, has been on the sidelines since his 60-second demolition of Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304 last July.