Jon Jones hints at vacating UFC heavyweight title with cryptic "Veni, vidi, vici" message, fans react: "Tom Aspinall really retired you!"

Jon Jones, the UFC heavyweight champion, is anything but interested in facing the division's interim champion Tom Aspinall in a title unification. In fact, he is willing to vacate the belt to avoid fighting the Englishman, which drew the immediate attention of the MMA fandom on X/Twitter.

While addressing fan frustration over his unwillingness to face Aspinall, Jones claimed that he can't be stripped and also implied that he has done enough in his MMA career by quoting a popular Latin victory phrase often attributed to Roman general Julius Caesar.

"And remember, you can't strip a guy like me at this point. I give the belt up freely. Veni, vidi, vici."

Unfortunately for Jones, a large chunk of the MMA fandom did not respond kindly to his continued dismissal of an Aspinall bout and his teased willingness to vacate the heavyweight title without actually following through. One fan mocked Jones by calling on him to vacate the belt if he is so willing.

"So hurry up"

This was echoed by another fan.

"No one cares you can leave"

Some fans even used Aspinall to poke fun at him.

"Tom really retired you!"

Others, meanwhile, branded Jones the worst heavyweight champion of all time.

"Smh worst heavyweight champion ever!!!"

A collage of fan reactions can be seen below:

Fan reaction to Jon Jones flirting with vacating his title

While UFC CEO Dana White has been adamant that a heavyweight title unification between Jones and Aspinall will take place, there has been no official update from the promotion. In fact, Jones has repeatedly claimed that he notified the UFC of his plans quite some time ago.

However, what these plans even are has been kept vague, with Jones refusing to elaborate.

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Jon Jones is now interested in facing Francis Ngannou

While Jon Jones has been dismissive of Tom Aspinall, his interest in fighting Francis Ngannou has been reinvigorated by talk of 'The Predator's' willingness to return to the UFC. In reaction to the news, Jones said the following:

"I'm hearing Francis Ngannou is still interested... Now we're talking. That's a real super fight. A clash of champions, not just hype. He held the UFC belt, I've defended mine for over a decare. Two kings from different roads. Not just one legend facing a mouth that's hot right now, but two real legacies colliding."

Ngannou once reigned as the UFC heavyweight champion, but disagreements with the promotion's top brass led to an exodus to the PFL.