UFC heavyweight king Jon Jones has frequently faced criticism for his apparent reluctance to take on certain high-profile matchups. Despite his dominance, Jones has yet to commit to a title unification bout against rising star Tom Aspinall. The Englishman, who dreams of becoming the division leader, has been waiting for his chance since defeating Sergei Pavlovich last year. However, ‘Bones’ seems more interested in a potential fight against Alex Pereira, a move that has drawn criticism from fans and the MMA community alike.

Tom Aspinall has publicly called out Jones, even accusing him of “ducking” the fight, a claim that gained traction within the MMA community. The situation escalated until UFC CEO Dana White stepped in and made the organization’s position clear. White stated, “If Jon Jones wants to fight again after Saturday night, he will fight Tom Aspinall,” effectively dismissing the Brazilian as an option. White even suggested that if Jones refuses the fight, retirement might be his only path forward.

Adding to the conversation, UFC legend-turned-actor Randy Couture today expressed frustration with Jones’s approach during an interview with TalkSport MMA. Couture remarked, “You’re supposedly the GOAT. Step up and fight whoever they want you to fight. I just… I don’t know, honestly. I’m not in Jon’s head, so I couldn’t tell you. But I think he needs to step up and fight the guys they want him to fight. You can’t shy away from anybody.”

Two years ago, a rumored super-fight between Jones and former UFC champion Francis Ngannou was widely anticipated but never materialized. Speculation arose over the reasons behind the failed matchup, with some accusing Jones of avoiding Ngannou and others, including Dana White, claiming that ‘The Predator’ didn’t want the fight. The truth remains elusive.

Interestingly, Ngannou has not ruled out the possibility of a future showdown with Jon Jones. Last month, he expressed optimism about what could be the ‘heavyweight clash of the century,’ leaving fans hopeful for a resolution to this long-standing rivalry.

Ngannou teases potential showdown against Jones

The rivalry between Francis Ngannou and Jon Jones reached its peak before Jones moved up to the heavyweight division. Shortly after, Ngannou departed from the UFC for other combat ventures, leaving the heavyweight title vacant which also meant doom for this feud. Jon Jones claimed the gold by defeating Ciryl Gane at UFC 285. Despite the passage of time, their rivalry still simmers, although both fighters have shown mutual respect.

This was evident when, after significant career setbacks, both fighters returned to the spotlight—Jon Jones at UFC 309 and Francis Ngannou at PFL: Battle of the Giants. Ngannou secured a victory over Brazilian sensation Renan Ferreira, and Jones was quick to congratulate him on social media, to which Ngannou responded warmly.

Rumors of a potential showdown between the two reignited during an interview featuring Ngannou on The Ariel Helwani Show before UFC 309. When asked about his thoughts on Jon Jones, ‘The Predator’ sparked hope for a possible cross-promotion fight. “Whatever it means, I think it’s class. He said it in a very nice way. So, I see him too, and I will be watching him on Nov. 16. There’s a chance [we could fight]. I can’t tell on the level of one to ten, but I know there’s a chance “Basically, I know that fight also interests Turki, and not many things interest him,” Ngannou said.

What’s your take on Randy Couture’s remarks? Should Jon Jones stop avoiding Tom Aspinall and, as the ‘GOAT,’ take the fight without worrying about his status or legacy? Share your thoughts below.