Jon Jones lost no time in reigniting his feud with Tom Aspinall after UFC 321 ended in controversy.
Following the no-contest between Aspinall and Ciryl Gane, Jones mocked the injured champion with a silent but hilarious move on social media that quickly garnered attention.
The former two-division champion updated his trademark duck avatar, one he has long used to deflect claims he was “ducking” Aspinall before Jones retired earlier this year, by adding an eyepatch.
The jab came hours after Aspinall was hospitalized following injuries to both of his eyes, as detailed by Daniel Cormier after the event.
Jones instantly went viral, with the avatar change seen as an obvious and direct response to the Brit’s decision to call for the bout to be stopped, claiming he could not see.
The rivalry between Jones and Aspinall dates back more than a year. Aspinall spent months chasing a unification fight with Jones while holding the interim belt, only to see negotiations collapse repeatedly.
Jones, who submitted Gane in 2023, chose instead to face Stipe Miocic one last time in November 2024 before retiring, subsequently leaving the heavyweight title in limbo after retaining it in that bout.
Aspinall mocked Jones’ moves publicly, often calling Jones a “duck” and once attending UFC London with a rubber duck prop to taunt him. When Jones eventually relinquished the belt, Aspinall was promoted to undisputed champion.
Saturday’s UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi was supposed to mark his first defense, but the fight ended after Gane accidentally poked both of his eyes in the first round.
UFC CEO Dana White addressed the controversial ending during his post-fight press conference, hinting at an upcoming rematch between the two fighters as soon as their health allows.
“Total pain in the [expletive], but yes,” White said. “They’re both in shape. Other than whatever’s wrong with his eye, both guys are not injured, so, as soon as possible.”
