Jones’ Social Media Mockery Adds Fuel to UFC Heavyweight Drama

In the aftermath of UFC 321’s controversial ending, Jon Jones wasted no time reigniting his long-standing feud with Tom Aspinall through a subtle but pointed social media jab. Following the disappointing no-contest between Aspinall and Ciryl Gane in Abu Dhabi, Jones updated his iconic duck avatar—a symbol he’s long used to counter accusations of “ducking” fights with Aspinall—by adding an eyepatch. This seemingly simple modification carried unmistakable meaning, directly mocking Aspinall’s eye injuries that led to the fight’s early stoppage. The timing couldn’t have been more provocative, coming just hours after Aspinall had been hospitalized for injuries to both eyes following accidental pokes from Gane in the opening round. The social media move quickly went viral, with fans and analysts immediately recognizing it as Jones’ commentary on Aspinall’s decision to halt the bout due to impaired vision.

The bad blood between these heavyweight titans has simmered for well over a year, with roots in what many fans view as a chess game of avoidance and confrontation. Aspinall, while holding the interim heavyweight title, persistently pursued a unification bout with Jones, only to watch negotiation after negotiation fall apart. Jones, who had claimed the heavyweight crown with a submission victory over Gane in 2023, prioritized a final showdown with Stipe Miocic in November 2024 before announcing his retirement—a decision that left the heavyweight division’s future uncertain after he retained his title. This career path by Jones led to accusations of strategic avoidance of the dangerous British fighter, fueling a rivalry that has played out as much through media barbs and social media as in the octagon itself.

Aspinall’s frustration with Jones manifested in increasingly public taunts, including regularly referring to Jones as a “duck” and even bringing a rubber duck prop to UFC London as visual ammunition in his campaign to secure a fight with the American legend. These provocations created a narrative that Jones was deliberately avoiding a legitimate challenge from the rising British star. When Jones finally vacated his title upon retirement, Aspinall’s promotion to undisputed champion seemed to vindicate his persistence, even if it came without the satisfaction of defeating Jones in competition. This backdrop of tension and unresolved competition made UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi particularly significant as Aspinall’s first chance to defend his newly-elevated status against Gane, a fighter Jones had previously defeated.

Saturday’s main event in the Middle East was meant to establish Aspinall’s legitimacy as the division’s ruler, but instead ended in frustration when accidental eye pokes from Gane in the first round left the British champion unable to continue. The no-contest ruling satisfied neither fighter nor fans, creating a new chapter of controversy in a division already rife with unresolved storylines. Medical reports confirmed Aspinall had suffered injuries to both eyes, requiring hospitalization immediately after the bout. This context makes Jones’ eyepatch-adorned avatar particularly cutting—suggesting doubt about the severity of Aspinall’s injury while simultaneously reminding everyone of his own narrative that he never “ducked” the British fighter in the first place.

UFC CEO Dana White addressed the unsatisfying conclusion during his post-fight press conference, offering a silver lining to disappointed fans by confirming the organization’s intention to schedule a rematch between Aspinall and Gane at the earliest opportunity. “Total pain in the ass, but yes,” White acknowledged when asked about rebooking the fight. “They’re both in shape. Other than whatever’s wrong with his eye, both guys are not injured, so, as soon as possible.” This commitment to quickly resolving the unsettled business between the fighters provides some closure for fans, though it does nothing to address the elephant in the room—Jones’ lingering presence over the division even in retirement.

The entire situation highlights the complex human drama that often surrounds elite combat sports beyond the physical confrontations in the cage. Jones, despite being officially retired, remains psychologically engaged in the heavyweight landscape, unwilling to cede the spotlight or allow narratives about his career choices to go unchallenged. Aspinall, meanwhile, finds himself in the uncomfortable position of holding a championship that some fans consider incomplete without having faced the division’s most accomplished figure. Their ongoing feud, now playing out through loaded social media gestures rather than direct competition, demonstrates how personal rivalries in fighting can transcend active competition and continue to captivate audiences. As the heavyweight division moves forward with a likely Aspinall-Gane rematch, Jones’ shadow—and his strategically modified duck avatar—remains a provocative reminder of unfinished business and the deeply personal nature of competition at the highest levels of the UFC.