Jon Jones is no stranger to controversy. The UFC light heavyweight champion has made a name for himself not just for his dominant performances inside the octagon, but also for his mind games outside of it. And his latest move is a masterclass in subtle trolling.
Just moments after leading what was dubbed the “biggest seminar in Phuket history,” Jones took to Twitter to thank his fans for their support. But hidden within his seemingly innocent tweet was a sly dig at fellow UFC fighter Tom Aspinall.
For those who may not know, Aspinall is a rising star in the UFC heavyweight division. He recently made headlines for his impressive performance at UFC Fight Night: Brunson vs Till, where he knocked out his opponent in just 45 seconds. Aspinall also happens to be a teammate of Jones at the renowned MMA gym, American Kickboxing Academy (AKA).
So, what exactly did Jones say in his tweet that caused a stir among fans and fellow fighters? Let’s break it down.
Firstly, Jones thanked his fans for their support and claimed that the seminar he led in Phuket was the biggest in the history of the city. This may seem like a harmless statement, but it’s important to note that Aspinall is currently based in Phuket, where he trains at the famous Tiger Muay Thai gym.
By claiming that his seminar was the biggest in Phuket history, Jones is indirectly implying that he has a larger fan base and following in the city compared to Aspinall. This is a subtle way of asserting his dominance and reminding Aspinall that he is still the bigger name in the MMA world.
But that’s not all. Jones also added a sarcastic twist to his tweet by using the hashtag #200k. This is a reference to the number of followers Aspinall has on Instagram, which is currently just over 200,000. By using this hashtag, Jones is not only highlighting the fact that he has a much larger following on social media, but he is also downplaying Aspinall’s achievements and popularity.
To put things into perspective, Jones has over 6 million followers on Instagram, making him one of the most popular fighters in the UFC. So, it’s safe to say that his tweet was a subtle way of gaslighting Aspinall and reminding him of his place in the MMA hierarchy.
But why would Jones feel the need to do this? After all, Aspinall is his teammate and a fellow fighter. Well, it’s no secret that Jones has a history of playing mind games with his opponents and even his own teammates. He is known for his psychological warfare tactics, which he uses to get into his opponent’s head and gain a mental advantage before a fight.
And it seems like Jones is not ready to give up this tactic, even when it comes to his own teammates. This is a testament to his competitive nature and his desire to always be on top, both inside and outside of the octagon.
But despite his controversial tweet, Jones’ fans were quick to defend him and praise him for his achievements. Many pointed out that he is the GOAT (Greatest of All Time) in the UFC and that his seminar in Phuket was just another example of his greatness.
As for Aspinall, he has yet to respond to Jones’ tweet. But knowing his calm and composed nature, it’s unlikely that he will engage in any kind of online feud with his teammate. After all, he has bigger things to focus on, like his upcoming fight at UFC Fight Night: Smith vs Spann.
In conclusion, Jon Jones’ tweet may have caused a stir among fans and fellow fighters, but it’s just another day in the life of the UFC champion. His subtle trolling of Tom Aspinall may have gone unnoticed by some, but for those who know Jones, it’s just another one of his mind games. And as always, he remains the undisputed champion, both inside and outside of the octagon.
