Gable Steveson Pushes Back on Talk of Jon Jones Dodging Tom Aspinall: “He’ll Fight Who He Wants”

Olympic champ and rising MMA prospect Gable Steveson has stepped up to defend Jon Jones, dismissing whispers that the UFC legend is ducking a unification bout with Tom Aspinall.

It’s been a long, drawn-out wait for UFC fans hungry to see the heavyweight title unified. British star Tom Aspinall has held interim gold since late 2023, yet the man who still holds the official crown—Jon Jones—hasn’t come close to stepping into the Octagon with him. Now, with Jones rumored to be mulling retirement and flirtations with a fight against Francis Ngannou gaining traction, Aspinall’s title shot looks more distant than ever.

But if you ask Gable Steveson, one of Jones’ closest training partners, there’s no ducking going on. None. Steveson, an Olympic wrestling gold medalist now preparing for his own MMA debut, stood by his friend and teammate this week, setting the record straight during a brief red carpet appearance.

Steveson Shuts Down “Ducking” Talk With Calm Confidence

Gable Steveson isn’t one to run his mouth carelessly. The former U.S. freestyle wrestling star, now entering the MMA world with plenty of eyes on him, didn’t mince words when asked whether Jon Jones is dodging Tom Aspinall.

He didn’t even flinch.

“Whatever Jon wants to do, he’s going to do it,” Steveson said, cool and composed. “He’s definitely not ducking. If it’s Tom, it’s Tom. If it’s Francis, it’s Francis. Or if it’s me, then it’s me.”

That last line might’ve raised eyebrows. Steveson threw his name into the hypothetical list of future Jones opponents. That doesn’t mean a fight between them is imminent—or even likely—but it underscores the respect he holds for Jones and the confidence he has in himself. He’s not star-struck. He’s just being honest.

Jones Still Training, But Future Unclear

Jon Jones hasn’t fought since he claimed the vacant UFC heavyweight title against Ciryl Gane back in March 2023. An injury derailed his planned defense against Stipe Miocic, and since then, things have gotten murky.

He’s shown up at media events, hosted his Dirty Boxing Championship, trained with Steveson and others, and looked fit. But fight news? None.

Even Steveson admitted he doesn’t know what Jones’ next move is.

“You’d have to ask Jon,” he told reporters. “I’d rather see Jon do whatever Jon wants to do.”

That vagueness has only added fuel to the speculation fire. Some fans believe Jones is stalling to avoid a dangerous matchup with Aspinall, who looked sharp in his interim title win and has made it clear he’s ready to unify the belts.

But others argue that Jones has earned the right to pick and choose after years of dominance.

The Long Road for Aspinall, and a Short Fuse for Fans

Tom Aspinall hasn’t done anything wrong. He’s won big fights, stayed healthy, and done media rounds like a true professional. But still, he’s stuck in limbo.

Jones’ status as undisputed champ prevents Aspinall from claiming full legitimacy. UFC President Dana White has remained relatively quiet, refusing to commit to a timeline for either a unification bout or Jones’ retirement.

Fans are frustrated. And they’ve taken to social media to vent:

• “Jones is dodging Aspinall, plain and simple.”

• “Just give Tom the real belt already.”

• “Is Jon Jones even a fighter anymore?”

These aren’t niche complaints. The UFC subreddit has seen multiple top-voted threads asking what’s going on. But Steveson’s defense adds a fresh voice to the debate—one with insider access and credibility.

Where Does Francis Ngannou Fit In?

The name Francis Ngannou continues to linger like a shadow over the whole situation.

Jones vs. Ngannou was supposed to be the fight. Two of the most fearsome heavyweights in MMA history colliding in a colossal bout. But Ngannou walked away from the UFC in early 2023, signing with PFL and boxing big names instead.

Now that his PFL future is uncertain, and his stock is as high as ever following high-profile boxing appearances, there’s talk—again—of Jones vs. Ngannou becoming reality.

For Jones, that would be a massive payday. For Aspinall, it would be another delay.

Let’s not forget: Aspinall has already waited nearly two years for a title shot that might never come.

Jones’ Recent Appearances Suggest He’s Still Got Fight in Him

Though he’s avoided Octagon action, Jon Jones hasn’t gone off the grid.

He recently resurfaced in Miami, fresh off a stint on a Thailand reality show, to attend the Dirty Boxing Championship—a fight event he helped launch.

There, he was seen laughing with friends, watching fights cageside, and, most importantly, training.

Steveson confirmed that Jones is still grinding in the gym, putting in real hours. “He’s training,” he said flatly. “Hard.”

Table: Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall – Career Snapshot

It’s hard to say whether Jones is really gearing up for another title defense—or if he’s enjoying semi-retirement while stringing things along.

Steveson’s Debut Could Add Another Twist to the Tale

While all eyes are on Jones, Gable Steveson is quietly preparing for his own MMA debut.

He hasn’t signed with the UFC yet, but he’s made it clear that’s the end goal. Training with Jones gives him a serious edge, and he’s already being talked about as a future contender—despite having zero pro fights under his belt.

The fact that Steveson even mentioned his name alongside Jones, Aspinall, and Ngannou shows how quickly he’s climbing the hype ladder.

If he delivers in his debut, don’t be surprised if fans start asking how long it’ll take before he’s in the title mix himself.