UFC icon Jon Jones has publicly hit back at references to his historic use of banned performance-enhancing drugs by heavyweight rival Tom Aspinall as their feud continues to grow.
Interim heavyweight champion, Aspinall, has been publicly calling out Jones for months, with fans joining the British champion in demanding a fight between the pair is made.
Opinion sways on whether the legendary Jones can beat Aspinall – who is becoming one of the sport’s most popular stars – and the older fighter is yet to say whether he will fight his younger opponent.
Aspinall has now provoked Jones into a few fiery social media responses as the Manchester-born star hit out at the American’s past use with steroids inside the octagon.
‘Jon’s right, he’s won so many more world championships than me… while using PED’s,’ said Aspinall when hitting back at comments made by Jones.
UFC icon Jon Jones has publicly hit back at references to his historic use of banned performance-enhancing drugs
Jones has faced increasing pressure to fight UFC rival Tom Aspinall (left) who has called the American out
39-year-old Jones has previously failed drugs tests during his esteemed UFC career and in a high-profile saga in 2016 saw him pulled from fighting just days before a bout.
That occasion saw Jones test positive for two banned substances, but was later successful in claiming he had ingested the contents through a contaminated product.
Jones was cutting in response to fan statements supporting Aspinall, posting on X: ‘Yep, worked my ass to prove my innocence.
‘Now picograms are legal in our sport. Honestly, none of that will matter a few years from now when I’m covering my kids tuition.
‘You guys still laughing about what happened at the office, I’m outside on a golf cart,’ he added.
Aspinall (right) is desperate to secure a huge heavyweight contest against Jones
Jones is set to make his return to the octagon following successful recovery from a muscle injury by fighting former champion Stipe Miocic at UFC 309.
However, while admitting his focus is solely on that upcoming bout, Jones also believes he would comfortably beat Aspinall if the duo do end up fighting each other.
‘I’m getting close to being in fight shape and I’m weighing in at 245 now. He probably cuts weight to get down to heavyweight,’ he said.
‘The night we fought he would probably weigh a solid 25 pounds more than me, seven years younger, and I would still whip his ass like I’ve done everyone else. You guys can go ahead and believe the hype, I’ll keep doing what I’ve always done, win.’
